In 1781 a "montagne" was made "en face du jardin français—en face de la comédie."[1]
In March and April, 1781, a hill called "l'Escargot" was piled up[2]—beyond the Belvédère—and, presumably, a third and very small grotto was made. The creation of the Escargot hill would have made the "ravin" on the north side of the Belvédère, which is still visible, and leads to the greater lake.
There are several reasons why we think that the Queen's grotto (the second made) was on the theatre side of the Belvédère.
1. D'Hezecques' description of it in 1789 shows that, though a "ruisseau" passed through it, persons could go freely out at both ends;[3] whereas when water was passing down through the upper entrance of the "escargot" grotto, no one could have used it at the same time: there is only room for the water.
2. He speaks of the "prairie" being visible from "une crevasse, qui's'ouvrait à la tête du lit"; this would have been possible from a grotto on the theatre side, but not on the other, as the "escargot" hill would have been in the way.
