The Grand Jardin at the Palace of Versailles is a large formal garden located within the grounds of the palace. Spanning over 800 acres, it is one of the largest and most iconic gardens in Europe. The garden was designed by André Le Nôtre in 1661 for Louis XIV, who wanted to create an outdoor space that would befit his grand palace. It features many different areas including groves, fountains, terraces, statues and ornamental flower beds that are arranged into symmetrical designs with carefully planned pathways connecting them together. The main feature of the garden is its three-level terraced fountain which cascades down towards a large lake known as the Grand Canal. This impressive water feature has been used as a backdrop for some of France’s most significant historical events including Napoleon’s coronation in 1804 and Charles de Gaulle’s funeral procession in 1970.