6.3. NO WATER!

LACK OF WATER SHOULD HAVE MADE THE CHOICE OF SITE IMPOSSIBLE

*Versailles will use more water than all Paris, where residents dispose of only one liter a day for all uses (Mon canal Saint-Martin by Pascal Payen- Appenzeller, 1984).

As well, a swamp brings malaria, dysentery and in winter, pleurisy. Louis transforms it anyway, by executing major draining projects and complex hydraulic engineering.

Construction of the chateau of Versailles by Adam Frans van der Meulen, 1669 / zoom 

The painting shows no water on the worksite, not even the barrels in which it was brought.

Windmills bring water from the swamp. The small river is diverted. Some of the experimentation is useful: The next page says more. 

-- Video  / zoom

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After a decade of labor and death and changes the next page describes, the Grand Canal appeared where the swamp had been. 

Zoom

I have rowed on the Grand Canal. It is extremely impressive.

On it were miniature warships, other boats, and gondolas.

         The Bassin of Apollo in the Parc of the Chateau of Versailles by Adam Perelle, end 17th century / zoom

Side view of the prow of a royal galley, anonymous gouache, 17th century, Bibliothèque nationale / zoom

Gondola for the Flottilla of Versailles, 17th century, engraving Bibliothèque nationale de France / zoom

The nine Venetian gondoliers are well-paid and dressed magnificently by well-known suppliers of the court.

But that was only a partial success. There was never enough water for the Grand Canal, fountains, the favorite's chateau, and an intimate chateau for Louis and chosen guests at the edge of the park.  

Still today, 

the fountains play only on specified days.

                                                               Zoom

They were never been working when I was there.

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Next,

6.4. 

Gargantuan works bring (some) water