THE STYLE OF LOUIS XIV. 



289 



276. CHATEAU OF VAUX-LE-VICOMTE : ENTRANCE FRONT. 



circular ends was introduced, it is true, but it merely serves as a vesti- 

 bule. At Vaux (Figs. 274-276) rustication is largely replaced by pilasters ; 

 the roofs are lower and less divided ; the dormers are small ; the ellip- 

 tical saloon lies towards the garden with its long axis in the line of the 

 principal suite, and is approached through a square columned vestibule 

 with a staircase on each side. At Bercy and St Sepulcre the saloon was 

 rectangular and similarly placed, while the stairs were relegated to the 

 side. Both, too, had continuous roofs, and at Bercy the meatless 

 court was level with the garden, and merely indicated by a balustrade. 



Vaux-le-Vicomte, which is fortunately in an almost unique state of 

 preservation, is of very noble design though marred by some clumsi- 

 nesses. The bulge of the saloon with its sprawling dome is an unsatis- 

 factory feature on the garden front, and the central pilaster in the 

 pavilions on the entrance front, while the great and small orders are 

 not very happily related. The side elevations, however, could scarcely 

 be improved upon. The forecourt closed by a massive railing and 

 hermse, and flanked by monumental base-courts, forms a most impres- 

 sive approach. The stately gardens, Le Ndtre's first great work, and 

 the gorgeous decorations executed under Le Brun have both been 

 restored to something approaching their pristine splendour. 



CHATEAUX BY COTTART AND J. MAROT. The chateau of Villacerf 

 by Cottart conformed in all essentials to the same type as those by Le 

 Vau, and so also did those of Lavardin and Turny by Jean Marot. In 

 the latter (Fig. 277) he displayed greater skill than Le Vau in the 

 combination of the domed saloon with the traditional chateau design. 

 Instead of protruding unhappily from a mass of building with which 

 it seems out of harmony as at Vaux, at Turny it gives the keynote 



