Paris Favourite Gardens and Parks
Luxembourg Gardens, Jardin des Tuileries, Bois de Vincennes
Mar 14, 2009
The French capital is said to be Europe’s greenest city, devoting ¼ of its area to open spaces. Large or small, formal or informal, they embellish historical sites, stretch along the river, take over ancient woodlands or disused railway tracks.
Paris gardens and parks are awarded a generous budget to provide wonderful oases for everyone. Sitting on the lawns is not always allowed but in these peaceful havens filled with colour and fragrance, no one seems to mind. Explored privately or on a guided tour, they are some of the capital's greatest attractions.
Paris Favourite Gardens, Luxembourg Gardens
On the left bank of the Seine, the Luxembourg gardens boast 350 000 flowers and shrubs and are the largest within the city. Romantic couples stroll under the trees, men play chess, others read or watch the world go by while families head for the puppet show or merry go round.
There are fountains and lots of statues, including French Queens, St Genevieve, patron of Paris, and a mini Statue of Liberty. An inexpensive café serves refreshments in the shade and model boats sail across the pond, barely disturbing the lovely reflections of the Luxembourg Palace, now housing the Senate
The Parisians owe their favourite oasis to Queen Marie de Médicis who commissioned palace and gardens in the 17th century in the style of her native Tuscany.
Paris Favourite Gardens, Jardin des Tuileries
The Tuileries palace did not survive a turbulent past but the Jardin des Tuileries is sheer delight, part of the central axis linking the Louvre Museum to the Concorde Square along the Seine. The park was designed by Le Notre who created the fabled gardens of Versailles.
Formal lawns and flower beds are enhanced by water features and sculptures, some by well known French artists Maillol and Rodin.
The southern terrace offers superb views over the river. The Jardin des Tuileries is home to two art museums, including the Musée de l’Orangerie displaying works by Claude Monet.
Paris Favourite Gardens and Woodlands, Bois de Vincennes
On the eastern edge of Paris, the Bois de Vincennes was landscaped by Baron Haussman, the architect of 19th century Paris. Admiring London’s public parks, Haussman turned the old royal hunting ground into informal gardens, retaining the woodlands to bring the countryside to the city’s doorstep.
Nearly three times the size of Central Park in New York, the Bois de Vincennes is crisscrossed by jogging, riding and cycling trails and includes four lakes, a castle, a zoo and a Buddhist temple, built for a colonial exhibition and still in use.
The Bois de Vincennes attracts bird watchers, families who picnic in the shade and couples in search of romance. There are rowing boats, exhibitions about the natural world and a Floral Park which is the pride and joy of every Parisian.
 |
 |
