The Sweet Sweet Smell of L'Orangerie

Hello All! I was browsing through Vicki Archer's French Essence and I came across an older post (October 23rd, I believe) titled Fleur d'Oranger. I loved it so much the first time that I read through it again & I was magically transported to Versailles in l'Orangerie wandering through the citrus trees and gazing across the Swiss lake! Oh how I wish I was there right now sharing these beauteous sites with my son!

And so here I am on another Internet journey trying to whet my appetite for a little bit of France...

An Orangery is similar to a greenhouse or conservatory. It is basically a place where citrus trees are winterized in tubs during the cold seasons. This protected them from frost and harsh conditions.

For many, many years the Orangerie in Versailles had been Europe's largest orangery. The orangery, however, was not just a greenhouse but a symbol of prestige and wealth. The proud King would lead his guests on tours of the garden to admire not only the fruits within the Orangery but the architecture as well.

The Orangery at Versailles is dug into the slope below the chateau. Flanked by the Great 100-Step Staircases, it anchors the slope and remains perfectly sheltered. Because it faces due south and is double glazed, the temperature remains stable between 5° and 8° C (40° and 46° F) even in winter. ~excerpt from the Versailles site Chateau de Versailles

In the better months from about May through October the tubs of citrus are left on display. There are over 1000 citrus trees that live here and most of them are in fact Orange trees.

How beautiful! I have never seen the fountains play in Versailles, I believe they turn them on Sunday's I will have to plan my next trip accordingly!

Photos ~ Courtesy of Flickr

I love this picture of the Gardener manicuring the topiaries! I thought everything was magically perfect in this most magical place! :) Hmmm...now how can I get my husband to go trim our bushes outside to look like this?

Bisou Mon Amis!