From German Mines to Le Nôtre's Gardens: The Origin of the Lead in the Fountains of Vaux‐le‐Vicomte and Versailles (Île‐de‐France, France)

ABSTRACT This article presents the results of an isotopic study of the lead used in the fountains of the gardens at the palaces of Versailles and Vaux‐le‐Vicomte—two iconic examples of French formal gardens designed by André Le Nôtre. The construction of these monumental gardens in the 17th century required considerable quantities of lead, a material not found in the subsoil of the Paris region and therefore necessarily imported. Lead Isotope analysis of 16 samples (including pipes, solder joints and basin plates) reveals a homogeneous signature, indicating a shared supply source for both sites. Comparing these results with those from different European mining districts revealed a clear correspondence with the deposits in the Harz Mountains in Germany, which were active and important in the 17th century. However, a few samples associated with later construction phases suggest that additional supplies came from other deposits, probably located in France. These results highlight not only the importance of European trade networks in the supply of construction materials but also the geopolitical dimension of these choices, as Louis XIV's France sought to produce lead in order to substitute it for that obtained through costly imports.