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Hôtel Dieu: A Secret Parisian Garden
In the heart of Paris, a stone’s throw from one of its greatest attractions, lies a secret garden. Located on Place Jean Paul II, in the shadow of the majestic Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris, and under the watchful eyes of her gargoyles, sits Paris‘ Hôtel-Dieu – Hospital. And within its walls, the most wonderful courtyard and garden reveal themselves to you. In the Shadow of Notre-Dame The great thing is that, despite the square outside usually being full of tourists, the unassuming entrance of Hôtel-Dieu means that very few venture in to visit it. This leaves this fantastic building and its secret garden both a very convenient and very quiet…
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Garden of the Queens – Part 3
Paris is a city of apartments so people have very little if any personal green space. The public gardens thus become their back yard. This is clearly evident as you stroll into the English garden of Jardin du Luxembourg – Luxembourg Gardens. This is a space where joggers can run the circumference of the park while others soak up some sun by the octagonal basin or play a game of tennis. The garden is also a place for children. Here they can watch a puppet show at le théâtre des marionnettes or take a pony ride. La Vie En Rose Beyond the ponies lies the lovely Jardin de la Roseraie.…
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Garden of the Queens – Part 2
I first chanced upon Jardin du Luxembourg after visiting le Panthéon national monument. As I strolled down Montagne Sainte-Geneviève, I was happy to discover that the gardens were just below it. Walking along the garden fence, I enjoyed the free photographic exhibition that was mounted on it. And as I entered the Odéon gate next to le palais, I came upon the most famous feature in Luxembourg: La fontaine Médicis. Built in the form of a grotto in 1630 by Queen Marie de Medici, the Medici Fountain is a sight to behold. A long, reflective bassin de l’eau is flanked by plane trees and beautiful, giant swags of ivy. At…
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Garden of the Queens – Part 1
On first blush, Jardin du Luxembourg – Luxembourg Gardens – may seem like any other royal Parisian garden – a beautiful green space surrounding a royal palais – palace. However, Luxembourg is so much more than that. During a recent visit to Paris, I had the great fortune to spend a month in a lovely rental apartment in the heart of the Saint-Germain-des-Prés quarter of the city – less than a 10 minute walk from Jardin du Luxembourg. (Another bonus: it was also right next door to the legendary Le Procope, the oldest café in Paris, having been founded in 1686.) My proximity to the gardens for this extended visit…
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Lily of the Valley for Luck
I have always been charmed by the lovely Lily of the Valley, that tiny, fragrant flower of May. So, as I patiently wait for the muguet des bois – Lily of the Valley – to appear in my garden, I am reminded of the profusion of these sweet-scented flowers that I saw in Paris this time last year. As I stepped out onto the street that May 1st, it seemed that every street corner had at least one, if not several, vendeurs muguet – Lily of the Valley vendors – selling little posies of them. Fête du Muguet I was aware that it was Fête du Travail – Labour Day…
