The Château de Versailles will be one of the most elegant Olympic backdrops when the equestrian events pass through its famous park, but less than four months before the Paris games it is a muddy construction site.
The project involved moving hundreds of tonnes of earth to build the 5.3km cross-country course, erecting temporary stands for spectators, but the highlight was the re-gilding of the spectacular Apollo Fountain.
A pentathlon will also be held on the field.
On March 29, to the accompaniment of baroque music, the resplendent restored statue of the Sun God, symbol of the Sun King Louis XIV, was lowered back into the water.
The 1671 statue, by Jean-Baptiste Toubi, depicts Apollo in a chariot drawn by four horses, surrounded by his descendant Phaethon and dolphins.
Horses were an integral part of everyday life in Versailles - 1,500 horses were housed in the stables opposite the castle. They will be presented at an exhibition from July 2.
While machinery is still preparing the 5.3km cross country course that will wind through the park, the dressage and show jumping arena is largely complete. Tribunes have been installed that will accommodate 6,300 people.
About 70 percent of the work has been completed, Lorik Joseph of the Olympic Organizing Committee said at the opening.
The shaded 700-metre gallop track has been completed, as has the field for 200 horse boxes, which according to Jean Morel, the site's sporting director, will be "under air-conditioned tents".
The Olympic equestrian competitions will be held from July 27 to August 6. Dressage competitions at the Paralympic Games will be held from September 3 to 7.
Last year, Versailles, which is a world heritage site, was visited by 8 /eight/ million people. After the Games, all these temporary structures will have to be dismantled and the site restored to its historic appearance. /BGNES
The restored Versailles sun god adds glamor to Olympic equestrianism
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