Saturday 19 May 2012

Saturday Snapshots From Paris

This time last weekend I was in Paris – my mother and I enjoyed a four-day break there, and noticed once again how green the city is, and how much the French love their parks.  Everywhere you go there are streets and squares lined with trees, and there are beautiful, tiny parks and public gardens hidden away in the smallest of spaces, with gravelled paths, statues, fountains, flowers, trees and benches. Then there are the large parks, like the Tuileries, the Bois de Boulogne, the Jardin des Plantes, and the Jardin du Luxembourg, with their grand planting schemes, sweeping vistas, wooded areas, palaces, cafes, glasshouses and even (in the case of the Jardin des Plantes) a menagerie, or zoo. Whatever their size, they are all wonderfully quiet and incredibly clean. There is no litter blowing around, no food containers festering on the ground, and no dog poo.  
Today’s photos were taken in the Jardin du Luxembourg which is one of our favourite places, and always seems tranquil and peaceful. There were drifts of delicate, pale pink forget-me-nots,  and those strange rows of trees that look like giant hedgesWe sat on our chairs, soaking up the sunshine, and watched the world go by. Children sailed boats on the ornamental, octagonal pool, while visitors admired the colourful carpets of flowers in the parterres, and the French sat quietly eating their lunch, reading, or just relaxing. But many Parisians are much more energetic, and they come here to jog along the pathways, or do their exercises beneath the trees – how much nicer to be out in the fresh air, rather than stuck in a gym.  
This park was created by the widowed Marie de Medicis (she was married to Henri IV). Homesick for her childhood home at the Palazzo Pitti, in Florence, she had a palace and garden created like those she had known and loved in Italy. Her palace, with its terraces and balustrades, now houses the French Senate, and the charming Medici Fountain is still one of the most popular features, although Marie’s grotto and fountain now include a pond and statue. The area was ignored for well over a century, but was restored and enlarged following the Revolution. 
It’s a fabulous place, full of flowers and trees, with a kind of bandstand for musical events, and a théâtre des marionnettes. The gardens also have around 100 statues including one of the Statue of Liberty which is supposed to be the model sculpted by Bartholdi while he worked on designs for his iconic New York artwork.
And Marie de Medicis is not forgotten, for she features in series of statues of former French queens, saints and famous women. Actually I always feel a little sorry for her., though I’m not sure whether she deserves sympathy. She is portrayed as being a pleasure seeking spendthrift, who didn’t have the best interests of France at heart. But life in the French court can’t have been a bundle of laughs. She married Henri in 1600, when she was 25 years old, and immediately became embroiled in very public quarrels with his mistresses, whom he refused to give up. At the same time she befriended her predecessor Margaret of Valois, who had been banished following the annulment of her marriage to Henri. 
Marie was not crowned Queen until 1610, on the day before Henri was assassinated, and many people thought she was complicit in the murder. Her son, the future Louis XIII, was only nine, so she became regent, and clung to power after he reached his majority, but she was an ineffective ruler, unable to command support 
from the nobles.
Eventually the nobles rebelled, and Louis, seizing the chance to take control, had her imprisoned. Mother and son were reconciled, but not for long, and she was exiled, fled to Brussels, then moved on to Amsterdam, and Cologne where she died in 1642, far from her beautiful garden.   
For more Saturday Snapshots see  Alice's blog http://athomewithbooks.net/

22 comments:

  1. I've read so many books with scenes set in these gardens. It was lovely to see photographs!

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    1. It is beautiful. Mum and I have been every year since my father died, and we love it.

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  3. I agree with you completely! The French have lovely parks and they are very well-kept. My daughter had great fun when we were there trying to push boats against the wind in the water pool at the Tuilleries I think it was.

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    1. Oh Eugenia, how wonderful, and what a lovely memory for he! I don't know if people hire the little boats, or if the own them... next time I visit I shall see if I could sail one, because it looks such fun.

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  4. Love the ornate fencing border at the pool. Delightful shots. Thanks for sharing.

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  5. Lovely pictures, and so interesting to read the story behind the garden.

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  6. Loved the education, and the photos! Thanks for this post, I appreciate it.
    My snapshot is here.

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  7. Oh, beautiful shots! I felt almost like I was walking along with you.

    Thanks for sharing...and here's MY SATURDAY SNAPSHOT

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  8. Paris is on my bucket list...your photos make me want to go TODAY!

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  9. I have journeyed to Paris through your narrative, history and photos. I have never been to Paris.
    One day it will be.

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  10. Thank you for sharing those wonderful garden photos and the story about Marie!

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  11. What a lovely garden! I don't think it's one I've visited, but I do love French gardens.

    My snapshot is here.

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  12. Thank you everyone! I really do appreciate your kind comments. I like to reply individually, but I never expected to get so many responses. Thank you again everyone, I am glad you enjoyed the post.

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  13. What a gorgeous post. I love the Jardin du Luxembourg too. I have been lucky to go there several times on my two visits to Paris. I love the French use of parks too, but am always astonished that noone is allowed to walk on the grass. I knew that this park was created by Marie de Medici, but didn't know so much of her story. I really enjoyed reading about her too.

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  14. Louise, I went walking across the grass (I always do) and my mother told me off! It does seem a shame not to be allowed on the lawns, but they provide far more seats and chairs than English parks.

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  15. Hmm, I hadn't been planning to go to these gardens on my upcoming Paris trip, but I might have to reconsider. Thanks for the history too--fascinating!

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  16. What wonderful pictures from Paris! I especially like the one with trees--trimmed to look like giant hedges.

    Here's my Snapshot

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  17. Thanks for this fabulous break. For just a minute I could pretend to be there. Became a follower too so I can continue to live vicariously. Here's Mine

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