[132]. In the time of Marie Antoinette there were at least three grottos at Trianon, of which only one remains intact, and that possibly the last created; it may have been formed along with the Escargot hill, raised in 1781 (Arch. Nat. O1, 1877).
The oldest grotto is mentioned in 1777 as ending at the porte d’entrée (O1, 1875). Issuing from the side of this first grotto was a “naissance de rivière,” which fed (perhaps by pipes) the small circular lake, whose waters passed under the Rocher bridge, through the great lake to the stream which meandered through the grounds. A small “ruine” having seven columns, a dome roof, and walls, stood above the spring “formant la naissance de la rivière” (O1, 1878, Desjardins, p. 90).
Such waters as drained naturally through the first grotto seem to have collected in a little pool at the lower end. In June, 1780, a new “petite rivière,” intended to carry these stagnant waters away direct to the great lake, was made; a grotto of “oval form” was dug round it, and a montagne raised to cover it in (O1, 1875). This second grotto was probably the one described by D’Hezecques: it must have turned at an angle from the first grotto and ended near the Rocher bridge, the tiny ruisseau passing through and beyond it into the great lake (O1, 1875).
[133]. A small ravine between the first and second grottos may have been spanned by the “pont rustique” of D’Hezecques, passing over the miniature waterfall issuing from “la 2ième source du Ravin” (nearer the Theatre than the first spring) (O1, 1882). This would have given the name “ravin du petit pont” (O1, 1875). The waterfall probably fell into the little pool, whose waters were carried by a “ruisseau” through the second (the Queen’s) grotto to the great lake. A rough sketch in the Arch. Nat. shows a small bridge in this position.
The cavern-like mouth at the lower end of the Queen’s grotto, close to the Rocher bridge, is shown in L’Espinasse’s picture of 1783. It is to be observed that in this picture no large rock (such as there is now) was over the long bridge which stood upon low rocks between the two lakes. The picture suggests that the rock opening of the grotto has been lifted away from its original place to its present position over the long Rocher bridge.
[134]. D’Hezecques describes the grotto as dark on first entering, lined with moss, and as having a staircase within it leading to the summit of the rocks. This staircase may be identical with the rock staircase now attached by modern masonry to the back of the great rock over the bridge, without any apparent reason.
[135]. A view of the prairie (also a condition of the Queen’s grotto described by D’Hezecques) is obtainable from the high ground in this part of the English garden.
[136]. Légendes de Trianon, Madame Julie Lavergne, p. 76.
[137]. (Rocks placed) “Pièce donnant au bord du lac de l’ancien jardin cote des rochers ... au long du chemin de l’emplacement de la Ruine sur la conduitte en bois à la 2ième Source du Ravin” (OI, 1882).
In 1788 “Pièce au dessus du Rocher du Ravin et ... passage des voiture sur le pont de bois.... Pièce à droite en face du Rocher du Ravin.”