Classic Gardens: The French Style

Formal gardens in the French style are often thought to be some of the most ambitious works ever created. Born of a taste for regularity and symmetry and a desire to tame nature, they are full of rich visual imagery and continue to inspire modern garden designers. This volume takes the reader on a tour through Europe and Russia - from Versailles in France and Quelez in Portugal to Peterhof in Russia. The book also expounds on the history of this style of gardening, from its beginnings in the Middle Ages to the present day, exploring who commissioned the gardens, who designed them and their purpose.