Winter’s nearly over, so this weekend we went to see sprouts, buds and even a few flowers at the Jardin des Plantes…

All photos: jasonw


Of course we’ve been to the wonderful Jardin des Plantes before (see our reports here and here, for example) but this is the first time we’ve been during the Winter months. Although Winter isn’t the most colourful time of the year for plants, the onset of Spring is fascinating for the new growth that’s to be seen. Some of it looks almost alien…

We also wanted to mention two things about the Jardin des Plantes that we haven’t talked about before. Firstly, a new exhibition space has just been opened in a renovated house in the grounds, explaining the venerable history of the gardens and museums. For the moment it’s free, and all the texts are in English and French. In 15 minutes you could learn quite a lot of extremely interesting stuff…

Secondly, we may not have mentioned previously that the gardens also house a small zoo for kids. We didn’t go in this time, but we did sneak a couple of shots of (slightly cold-looking) animals that can be seen from outside…


We will also be going to check out a new restaurant that looks out over the grounds. More news about that in the next newsletter…

Check out all the photos here on our Flickr page. Otherwise, you can preview them (albeit a lot smaller) in the browser below.

Agrandir le plan

Situated in the 15th arrondissement, it’s one of the few public parks to have its own bees!

Yes bees; we love them (remember that we are harvesting our honey from the Eiffel Park Hôtel on 13th September).

If you like nature, Paris has plenty of it, and guided tours are given every week of the various parks and gardens. We’ve selected the parc Georges Brassens for you this week, not just because it’s one of Paris’ lesser-known parks, but also because they have beehives there that are used for educational purposes. We love bees! Did I mention that already?

This Sunday, 9th September, at 3pm there’s a free guided tour (hope your French is OK!) that you don’t even have to sign up for. Just turn up at the main entrance on rue des Morillons.

You’ll learn that the park contains vestiges left over from the slaughterhouse that used to be there. You’ll also be shown their mini-vineyard, the fragrance garden, the vegetable plot…

Here’s the map. Have a nice walk!

View Larger Map

Photo credit: (c) Jamie Barras

The Jardin des Plantes is a fascinating place, forever changing with the seasons.

However it is not just a garden; it also includes a zoo, a Mexican hothouse, a rose garden, an alpine garden and the huge Natural History Museum.

We were happy just to walk round and admire the flowers (late summer is the time for dahlias). We hope these photos give you an idea of the grandeur and beauty of the place.

More pictures from JasonW

Over the drawbridge of the Château de Vincennes to discover its newly-restored dungeon.

After twelve years of restoration, the dungeon building has finally been re-opened.

We decided to take the guided tour which explains the dungeon’s history. Built in 1337, it is the largest medieval fortification in Europe, standing 52 metres high.
Built just before the Louvre, the Château de Vincennes has played its part in France’s history since the Middle Ages. Although the battles may be over, it seems fitting that the archives of the Ministry of Defence are now housed there.

Practical informations

Avenue de Paris
94300 Vincennes
Tél/Fax : 33 / (0)1 48 08 31 20
Open:
– May to August 30th de 10h à 12h et de 13h à 18h
– From September to April 30th de 10h à 12h et de 13h à 17h

Métro: line 1 Château de Vincennes
RER A: Vincennes

For more information site du Château de Vincennes.

Practical information

Address :
Rues Botzaris, Manin
75019 – PARIS

How to get there :
Metro : Buttes-Chaumont

For further information , you can visit Paris.fr or Wikipedia websites.

Why not try the Lalique exhibition to get a taste of Art Nouveau Paris?

Every big European city has had its Art Nouveau architect, and each of these architects has left his own special mark. Barcelona is famous for Antonio Gaudi, Bruxelles had Victor Horta and Paris’ Art Nouveau star was Hector Guimard.

Unfortunately, at one point Art Nouveau fell out of fashion to the point of being considered ugly and outmoded, and many extremely beautiful buildings became the victims of speculators who had them destroyed. Even though some of Guimard’s work is lost forever, there are still some spectacular examples to be seen, especially in the 16th arrondissement of Paris.

We took advantage of the good weather and walked around this area and marvel at the whimsy and beauty of this very particular architecture…

So here are a few photos and a description of the route we took. Even if we point out what we feel to be the most spectacular buildings, the walk will also show you many other great buildings, as many streets in this part of the city have been spared, giving a taste of what Paris looked like nearly a hundred years ago…

You can see that the Guimard style developed a lot over the years, becoming progressively less fanciful.

Le Castel Beranger, 14 rue La Fontaine :

A set of buildings at 8-10 rue Agar, 17-18 rue La Fontaine:

The Hôtel Mezza (that we were lucky enough to visit), 60 rue La Fontaine:

La Villa Flore et l’Hôtel Guimard, 122 avenue Mozart :

Hôtel Deron-Levent, 8 Villa Réunion :

Villa Jassède, 41 rue Chardon Lagache :

And finally, the very impressive Jassède building, 142 avenue de Versailles:

Photos credits : JasonW

If you want more informations about Hector Guimard

What life was like around the time of the Revolution ?

The Conciergerie and the Sainte-Chapelle are all that remains of the oldest Parisian royal palace, the Palais de la Cité, which was converted into a prison in the 15th Century. The site was once home to Roman governors, followed by the first Capetians, and is where Philippe le Bel, as a symbol of his power, had a magnificent palace built in the 14th Century, reputedly one the most splendid buildings of the Middle Ages.

At the end of the 14th Century the Capetian kings deserted the Palais de la Cité, preferring the Louvre and Vincennes, leaving it to be used by the Paris parliament and central administration. A ‘Concierge’ was chosen by the king to keep the peace, oversee the police and register prisoners. As well as giving the building its name of « Conciergerie », he also turned part of the building into a prison.

In some of the rooms that served as torture chambers, the cell of Marie-Antoinette and others have been recreated. You will also find what is referred to as the ‘Girondins’ chapel, the expiatory chapel which was built – at the request of Louis XVIII – on exactly the same spot as Marie-Antoinette’s cell, the ‘women’s courtyard’ and a washroom, all of which are striking reminders of what life was like around the time of the Revolution.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION

Main entrance for the Conciergerie
2, boulevard du Palais
75001 Paris
Tel: +33 (0)1 53 40 60 93

Open all year round, from 9.30am to 6pm (1st March – 31st October), from 9am to 5pm (1st November to 28th February)
Last entrance 30 minutes before closing

How to get there :
Metro: line 1 (Châtelet), line 4 (Saint-Michel or Cité) lines 7, 11 and 14 (Châtelet)
Bus: 21, 24, 27, 38, 58, 81, 85 and Balabus
RER: line B (Châtelet or Saint-Michel), line C (Saint-Michel)
Cross over the Seine to get to the Ile de la Cité

Visits :
A normal visit takes between 30 minutes and two
• Groups should reserve a month in advance
• Leaflets for the visit are available in French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Chinese…
• Standard entrance fee: 6.50€. Reduced rate: 4.50€. Group rate: 5.30€. School groups: 30€

For further information, check out the Conciergerie’s website:
La Conciergerie

On the Ile de la Cité, these stained glass windows are a work of art that will take your breath away.


Just two minutes from Notre Dame, next to the Palais de Justice law courts, a gothic art masterpiece is hidden away; La Sainte Chapelle. The chapel will take you way back to the heady times of Saint Louis, the Middle Ages of the 13th Century.

First discovery, the lower chapel dedicated to the Virgin Mary, where you’ll walk under a starry sky surrounded by paintings and decorative sculpture.

After a quick walk up some stairs, we are in the amazing high chapel. Try and go on a sunny day to get the full effect of the strong colours of the stained glass that fills the high windows. An architectural wonder.

And once outside, you could try visiting the Palais de Justice, which is often open to the public on weekdays.

INFOS PRATIQUES
Ile de la Cité
Sainte-Chapelle main entrance
6 boulevard du Palais
75001 Paris

Getting there
Métro: line 4, Cité
Bus: lines 21, 27, 38, 85, 96 and the Balabus
By car: along the Seine to Châtelet or Saint-Michel, then boulevard du Palais

Open seven days a week
9am to 5pm from 1st November to 28th February
9.30am to 6pm from 1st March to 31st October
Guided visit (not for groups), every day at 11am and 3pm. No need to reserve. Entrance fee:

Adults 7.50€
Group rate 5.70 €
You can also discover the acoustics of the high chapel by going to a concertat the Sainte Chapelle.
For more information, check out site of the Sainte Chapelle.

Markets belong to French way of life. Let’s have a look to a famous one in the heart of Paris.

The flower market on the Ile de la Cité is located on place Louis-Lépine. It is opened everyday from 8ham to 7hpm and

INFOS PRATIQUES

Specialised market (flowers, birds, other little pets).
Place Louis Lépine and quays around.
Metro station : Cité
Fowers market : everyday from 8ham to 7h30pm.
Birds market : Sunday from 8ham to 7hpm.

You can discover other specialised opened market on the Paris.fr website.