Why is the Marly horse pond famous?

It owes its fame to the paintings Alfred Sisley made of it, regarded as masterpieces of impressionism.

Are the marble horses seen today the originals?

No, they are replicas, the original sculptures by Coysevox and Coustou now being kept at the Louvre museum.

When was the horse pond built?

A first basin was built in 1687 and enlarged in 1698 to take its present form.

Is the horse pond a protected historic monument?

Yes, it was the only element of the estate listed as a historic monument, as early as 1862.

Abreuvoir de Marly-le-Roi

Marly-le-Roi

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Marly-le-Roi

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Abreuvoir de Marly stands in Marly-le-Roi (Yvelines), in the Île-de-France region of France. No visits are on record for this building.

The Marly horse pond lies in the lower part of the Marly-le-Roi national estate, below the main park. Built at the end of the 17th century for the royal domain, it became a favourite subject of painter Alfred Sisley, who produced a well-known series of impressionist canvases based on it. Visitors find two tiered basins, their retaining walls decorated with rocaille and shell motifs. The marble horse sculptures that once stood at its corners have been replaced by copies, the originals now kept at the Louvre museum.

Written from Abreuvoir de Marly

What to know

The pond only becomes visible once you reach the terrace overlooking it from the park.
The original water sheets were not restored during the 2005 restoration work.
The sculptures on site are replicas, the original works by Coysevox and Coustou being kept at the Louvre.
The site is an outdoor feature within the Marly-le-Roi national estate.

Where this château is

Marly-le-Roi · Yvelines · Île-de-France

Map of the area around Abreuvoir de Marly

Loading the map…

This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Pl. de l'Abreuvoir, 78160 Marly-le-Roi

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

Get directions View on a map

4.4 / 5from 9 Google reviews

Heritage status: Protection status unknown

Itineraries

In pictures

Frequently asked

Why is the Marly horse pond famous?: It owes its fame to the paintings Alfred Sisley made of it, regarded as masterpieces of impressionism.
Are the marble horses seen today the originals?: No, they are replicas, the original sculptures by Coysevox and Coustou now being kept at the Louvre museum.
When was the horse pond built?: A first basin was built in 1687 and enlarged in 1698 to take its present form.
Is the horse pond a protected historic monument?: Yes, it was the only element of the estate listed as a historic monument, as early as 1862.