Chateau de Versailles. [Photo by Hu Zhe/Chinadaily.com.cn]

Chateau de Versailles. [Photo by Hu Zhe/Chinadaily.com.cn]

Chateau de Versailles (Versailles, France)

The famous French landscape designer André Le N?tre laid out these gardens Southwest of Paris in the 17th century at the behest of Louis XIV. The Sun King wanted them to magnify the glory of his palace at Versailles, which was itself a monument to his absolute rule. The 250 acres (101 hectares) are riddled with paths that lead to flower beds, quiet corners decorated with classical statuary, ornamental lakes, and a canal that King Louis used for gondola rides.