FRENCH GARDENS: LATER 17TH AND i8th CENTURIES 135 



square parterre and terrace walls, is illustrated in several of Silvestre's engrav- 

 ings and remains almost the last vestige of the once famous gardens. Much 

 of Le Notre's work in the park may still be admired ; a broad green tafis 

 vert leads from the terraces into the woods ascending the hillside, and superb 

 vistas alternate with alleys and formal pieces of water. One of the remarkable 

 features of this park was a large cluster of oaks (illus., p. 136), surrounding 

 an octagonal space, with a large pool. 



^Veue etpciirf_iaiiih df la nruiitle pn\r ih'utu ctdi- lOiiiiujeriCiiu i luitean ile'lUt'iuion 

 THE CHATEAU OF MEUDON. 



Clagny was bought by Louis XIV in 1665 and presented to Madame de 

 Montespan (illus., p. 137). The adjoining estate of Glatigny having been 

 acquired, the gardens were laid out by Le Notre at a total cost, it is said, of 

 three million livres. Some ten years later the Mercure de France^ describing 

 the garden soon after its completion, says " it derives its chief ornamentation 

 from a wood of high trees, several -parterres en broderie and bowling greens 

 of various shapes. There are beautiful palisades of myrtle arranged to hide 



