Arnold de Ville et la création de la machine de Marly by Bruno BENTZ – Archives du Calvados

Arnold de Ville et la création de la machine de Marly by Bruno BENTZ – Archives du Calvados

Arnold de Ville and the creation of the Marly machine

What do we know of the creation of the Marly machine? The majority of archives concerning its construction have disappeared. Recent research has unveiled a few fragile traces of this immense platform installed on the River Seine in 1681, equipped with wheels and pumps. Along with water collection devices, the facility included pipes and storage constructions, collectively composing a tentacular whole. The machine was immediately hailed as one of the wonders of the world. This exceptional prowess was the work of a man who managed to convince Louis XIV that he would be able to supply sufficient water to the fountains in the gardens of Versailles, although the latter finally used the facility to create the Marly fountain shows. In this quite original story, the role of Arnold de Ville proved capital, as entrepreneur then director of the machine, with assistance from the best technicians, industrialists and architects of his time.

Bruno Bentz

Bruno Bentz, a doctor in archaeology and president of the OMAGE association is in charge of archaeological excavations around the Marly machine (2019-2022). He is also director of the Marly, art et patrimoine (Marly art and heritage) magazine.