The Palace of Versailles has 50 fountains and 620 water jets spread across its 800-hectare estate — the most complex hydraulic garden system in 17th-century Europe. The major fountains include Apollo, Latona, Neptune, the Dragon, and the Four Seasons. Fountains only run on Musical Fountains Show days (most Tuesdays from May, every Saturday and Sunday from late March to late October, 10 am–7 pm). On other days they stand static. The Night Fountains Show (Saturdays, June–September) features illuminated fountains and fireworks.
The fountains of Versailles are not decoration — they are the point. Louis XIV designed the entire garden around them: the hydraulic system, the garden geometry, the sculpture programme, even the ceremonial life of the court. At full pressure on Musical Fountains days, the 50 fountains and 620 water jets create one of the most spectacular outdoor spectacles in Europe. Here’s a guide to every major fountain, the shows, and when to see them at their best.
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The Major Fountains
Apollo Fountain
The Apollo Fountain is the centrepiece of the entire garden axis and the most famous single fountain at Versailles. It depicts the sun god Apollo emerging from the water in his solar chariot, drawn by four horses, surrounded by tritons and dolphins. Gilded and spectacular, it sits at the bottom of the main garden slope, with the palace at the far eastern end of the axis. The fountain dates to 1668–70 and was designed to embody Louis XIV’s identification with Apollo, the sun god — hence his title ‘the Sun King’.
On Musical Fountains days, the Apollo jet reaches dramatic heights. Best viewing position: from the bottom of the main axis looking west (the canal behind you) or from the Latona Parterre looking down towards the fountain.
Latona Fountain
The Latona Fountain sits at the top of the main garden axis and depicts a myth from Ovid’s Metamorphoses: Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, appeals to Jupiter to punish the Lycian peasants who insulted her children. Jupiter transforms the peasants into frogs and lizards — the tiered marble fountain shows the transformation in progress, with frogs and half-human figures spouting water around Latona’s central figure. The fountain was redesigned in 1687 and is one of the most photographed fountains in the gardens.
Neptune Fountain
The Neptune Fountain is the largest fountain in the gardens, located at the far northern end of the North Parterre. Originally called the Lake Below the Dragon or Lake of the Pines, it was constructed between 1679 and 1681. The fountain has an extraordinary hydraulic system with 99 water jets, culminating in a dramatic central group of Neptune and Amphitrite. When running at full pressure on Musical Fountains days, it is one of the most powerful displays in the gardens. The basin’s sheer scale — visible from the garden paths above — makes it an impressive sight even when static.
Dragon Fountain
Located between the North Parterre and the Neptune Fountain, the Dragon Fountain features a fierce central dragon flanked by small cupids on dolphins and swans. It dates to 1667 and was one of the first decorative fountains created for the Versailles gardens under Louis XIV. The central dragon jet reaches considerable heights when running. The fountain is often missed by visitors who stay on the main garden axis — a short detour north is worth it.
Four Seasons Fountains
Four bronze fountains arranged around the main garden axis represent the seasons:
- Spring (Flora Fountain) — north side; Flora goddess reclining, surrounded by flowers (1674)
- Summer (Ceres Fountain) — north side; Ceres goddess of the harvest (1673)
- Autumn (Bacchus Fountain) — south side; Bacchus god of wine, garlanded with grapes (1674)
- Winter (Saturn Fountain) — south side; Saturn wrapped in a cloak, evoking cold and old age (1677)
From the viewpoint at the end of the Latona Parterre, all four fountains are visible simultaneously — one of the garden’s deliberately designed perspective effects.
Bosquet Fountains
Each of the 13 ornamental groves (bosquets) has its own fountain. The most spectacular on Musical Fountains days:
- Enceladus Grove — a 25-metre jet from the mouth of the Titan Enceladus, crushed under boulders; one of the most dramatic single jets in the gardens
- Apollo’s Baths Grove — three grottos sheltering the monumental Apollo tended by Nymphs sculpture group; intimate and atmospheric
- Colonnade Grove — circular arcade of 32 marble columns, each with its own small basin; extraordinary architectural and hydraulic spectacle
- Ballroom Grove — tiered cascades of water over rockwork steps; originally used for evening dances
The History of the Versailles Hydraulic System
Supplying water to 50 fountains and 620 jets was the defining engineering challenge of Louis XIV’s reign. There were no rivers near Versailles. Artificial ponds were created, then aqueducts, then an entire river diversion was planned (the Machine de Marly) to pump water from the Seine. The Machine de Marly was one of the great engineering projects of the 17th century — 14 enormous water wheels driving 253 pumps, raising water 160 metres in height.
Even so, the system could never supply all 50 fountains simultaneously. The solution was ingenious: a system of whistles and signals meant the fountains were switched on only when Louis XIV approached — and turned off as soon as he passed. Courtiers walking ahead of the king would whistle a signal to the fountain operators, who turned on each successive fountain as he approached. Today, the same hydraulic principles are used to manage the fountains on Musical Fountains Show days.
Fountain Shows: Quick Reference
| Show | When | Hours | Ticket |
| Musical Fountains Show (daytime) | Most Tues (May–Oct), Sat & Sun (late Mar–late Oct) | 10 am – 7 pm | €10 surcharge (included in Full Access Ticket) |
| Night Fountains Show (evening) | Saturdays, mid-June to mid-September | From 8:30 pm; fireworks ~10:45 pm | €32 adult (separate ticket) |
| Musical Gardens Show | Some Tues & Fri (spring/summer) | 10 am – 7 pm | €10 surcharge (same as Musical Fountains) |
See our Musical Fountains Show guide for the full 2026 schedule and our Night Fountains Show guide for evening show details.
Best Spots to Watch the Fountains
- Apollo Fountain — from the terrace looking west, or from the canal path looking east
- Latona Fountain — from the palace terrace looking down the main axis for the full Grand Perspective
- Neptune Fountain — from the garden path above the basin for the full 99-jet display
- Enceladus Grove — walk through the grove at the 25-metre jet for the most dramatic single fountain moment
- Grand Canal area — for the Apollo Fountain and axis view from ground level at the base of the garden slope
