The Parc Monceau: the Smartest Garden in Paris

The Parc Monceau is doubtless the smartest garden in Paris. It is located in a very elegant and upscale neighbourhood in the 8th arrondissement of Paris and surrounded by beautiful buildings and luxury ‘Hotels Particuliers’.

The Parc Monceau was created in 1769 by the Duke of Chartres who entrusted its landscaping to the painter and architect Carmontelle. Carmontelle put there a variety of follies, which were very fashionable at that time: an Egyptian pyramid, the ‘Naumachie’, which is a pond surrounded by Corinthian columns and inspired by the Ancient Rome, greek columns, a sarcophagus,… During the French Revolution the Park underwent huge transformations.

One had then to wait until 1852 before seeing the Park be redesigned as a landscape garden. And in 1861 the Parc Monceau such as we know it today was inaugurated by Napoleon III : Some of the follies of Carmontelle are still there, including the impressive Naumachie ; many trees have been planted and other antiques and sculptures added. Among them a lovely Venitian bridge dating from the Second Empire: one of my favourites!

Parc Monceau Paris - The Italian Bridge
Parc Monceau Paris – The Italian Bridge

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Top Five Walks in Paris in Spring

Dear Readers,

I am out of Paris for a couple of days and will be back at the end of April… with news posts about my latest discoveries in Paris to share with you!

Meantime I suggest for those of you who are currently in Paris to rediscover my Top Five Walks as Spring is the ideal season to stroll in the Parisian streets and parks: not too warm, not too busy, and offering beautiful lights. Try them if you have not yet… I am sure that you will love them!

The most unusual: La Promenade Plantée
Promenade Plantee - Paris - Flowers and pool
Promenade Plantée – Paris – Flowers and pool
The most classical: On the Ile Saint Louis
Ile saint louis Paris-quai Orleans
Ile saint louis Paris – Le quai d’Orléans
The most parisian: The Marais off the beaten track
jewish area Marais -Goldenberg rue des Rosiers
jewish area Marais -Goldenberg rue des Rosiers
The Most Arty: The Butte aux Cailles
Butte aux cailles Paris - Rue Alphand
Butte aux cailles Paris – Rue Alphand
The most family: The Jardin des Plantes
jardin des plantes Paris-japanese cherry tree
Another Japanese cherry tree in the Jardin des Plantes

I wish you very nice walks exploring our beautiful city and I’ll be back within two weeks. See you soon!

Christine Bokobza – Good Morning Paris B&B – www.goodmorningparis.fr

 

 

 

 

Exploring Passy: A Peaceful Walk in the Shade of the Eiffel Tower

A bit of history: the Village of Passy

The area of Passy is located in the heart of the 16th arrondissement of Paris along the Seine River between the Trocadéro Gardens and the ‘Maison de la Radio’. It is a peaceful and smart area made charming thanks to its luxurious buildings Belle Epoque or Art Nouveau style, its cobbled alleys, high stairs and great views on the Eiffel Tower.

The Village of Passy was born when a community of monks attracted by the vineyards and the beautiful views on the Seine River settled there in 1493. The famous French writer Honoré de Balzac moved there in 1840 and one can still visit the house where he put the finishing touches to ‘La Comédie Humaine’. In 1860 the Village of Passy was annexed to the City of Paris and it has then been gradually modernized. Most of the beautiful buildings and houses one can see today were built in the early nineties and Passy is now a very chic and sought-after residential area thanks to its luxurious houses with magnificent views on the Eiffel Tower.

Exploring Passy-Paris-Balzac House
Exploring Passy-Paris-Balzac House

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