90 



GA^EN CRAFT IN EUROPE 



for pumping the water. The canal was nearly as large as the one at Ver- 

 sailles and the great cascades were considered amongst the most wonderful 

 of their day. At the same time the great esplanade was constructed, long 

 avenues were cut through the park with pattes (Toie, or goose feet,^ very 

 characteristic of the formal gardens of the ^ay. 



The plans of the whole scheme are preserved in the Bibliotheque 

 Nationale, and a comparison of these with those made by Du Cerceau in 

 the previous century gives an idea of the gigantic work. Le Notre began 





THE PARTERRE AT CHANTILLY. 



operations in 1663, assisted by his nephew Desgots,- Daniel Gitard the 

 architect, La Quintanie the gardener and the water engineer Le Manse. 



The Maison de Syhie (illus., p. 93) was constructed in 1670. It was so 

 named after the Duchesse de Montmorency and still exists, a delightful cool 

 retreat, amidst secluded woods. Conde spent much of his time at Chantilly, 

 especially at those periods when he was forced to hold himself aloof from 

 public affairs. Here he died in 1686, after having transformed a fortified castle 



^ The " goose foot " consisted of three or more avenues radiating from a small semicircle. 

 - Desgots afterwards worked for Charles II and also designed the gardens of the Palais Royal, 

 and the parks of Bagnolet and St. Maur. 



