Images of La Machine de Marly

Profile of the Machine of Marly

Cut the length through the spillways

Engraving of La Machine of Marly

View from the river

Profile of the Machine of Marly
Section along its length
From "Beautés de la France", Nicholas de Fer, 1705-1724

Bird's Eye View of the Machine of Marly
18th century engraving
Translation of the text:
"THE MACHINE OF MARLY is built on an arm of the Seine river. It consists of 14 wheels of 30 feet in diameter, the axles of which have two cranks, one which moves the pistons which push the water into the pipes and raise it up to the first reservoir; the other moves a system of crossarm levers which run the length of the mountain up to the highest reservoir. These crossarms power the pumps which are in the reservoirs and pump the water from the lower resevoir to the upper and from there to the top of the tower which is at the summit of the mountain, from where it runs over a large aqueduct which feeds different pipes to furnish all the waters of Versailles and Marly."
The vertical perspective of this view is exaggerated.
In the distance is the town of St. Germain en Laye.
The two buildings along the left side of river path still exist, as does the Chateau Du Barry and the aqueduct in the upper left.

Details of the transfer lever system and pumps of the Machine of Marly. The levers, driven by the waterwheels, powered the remote pumps located at the midpoint reservoir on the hill and at the top reservoir at the Chateau Du Barry, forcing the water to the top of the aqueduct. There were a total of over 250 pumps in the system.

River View of the Machine of Marly
Colored Engraving from "Beautés de la France", Nicholas de Fer, 1705-1724

Details of the pump pistons. Leather was used as sealing gaskets. Hinged valves allowed water to enter the pump cylinder or be pushed from it, depending on the direction of the stroke.

Plan of the Machine platform showing locations of pumps and cross arm mechanisms.

Model of the Chateau of Marly, destroyed after the Revolution. One of the reservoirs filled by the Machine can be seen in the upper left, which supplied both this chateau and Versailles. The model is from the Musée Promenade in Louveciennes.

Annotated Model of the Machine, early 1700s. The model is from the Musée Promenade in Louveciennes.