I love Paris in the spring time…
“I Love Paris” by Cole Porter
I explore the “City of Light” traveling well-worn paths along the Seine river to the Hôtel de Ville. I do not expect anything out of the ordinary today which, while not necessary a mistake, certainly came close to my missing a wonderful little touch of early Spring. Next to the Hôtel de Ville is a gate I don’t remember seeing before. And lo and behold, the gate is open, welcoming me into its secrets. With mild trepidation I transverse the gate into the wonders beyond…
Late February in Paris is actually more like early Spring. It’s now usually in the 50s Fahrenheit for the highs. Lows are only in the 40s now. This weekend I spent some time walking Paris to explore the early flowers blooming. It sprinkles a little most days with overcast skies. But, I’m still in Paris!
I visited two places to explore the early flora: Jardin des Combattants-de-la-Nueve and Musée Rodin. Jardin des Combattants-de-la-Nueve is located adjacent to the Hôtel de Ville in central Paris (https://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jardin_des_Combattants-de-la-Nueve). The garden is filled with trees and flowering plants. There are cages for rabbits and chickens for during the warmer months. The garden is tucked away behind a gate that wasn’t obvious to me. That is the thing with Paris. You need to turn left instead of right; maybe go straight instead of turn; and almost always if you see an open gate, go through it. That was the case with this garden. I have passed the Hotel de Ville many times and had not seen the garden. But an open gate beckoned and as Robert Frost said, “that made all the difference.” In this garden I found many early spring flowers. The pictures below do not do them justice but give you a glimpse into the beautiful colors of yellow, cream, blue, red, and purple.
The “Bailey’s” were in Paris: One of the statues on the walls of the Hôtel de Ville of Paris is of Monsieur Jean Sylvain Bailly (1726-1793: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean_Sylvain_Bailly). He was French astronomer, mathematician, and political leader of the early part of the French Revolution. He served as the mayor of Paris from 1789 to 1791, but ended his time on earth by being guillotined during the Reign of Terror. Even though we may not be related by blood, I still enjoy seeing my family’s name in and around Paris, even with the French spelling.
Musée Rodin: I often visit Musée Rodin about once or twice a month (https://musee-rodin.fr). The “Thinker” sculpture is located there. I adore the vast gardens that surround the manor house. At this location, the early spring flowers were blooming as well.
I look forward to exploring Paris as the seasons change to see the differences in flora types and colors throughout Spring, Summer, and Fall. Paris is constantly changing in my eyes as the sights, sounds, and colors morph over time.
Until we meet in Paris…
"I Love Paris" by Cole Porter Every time I look down on this timeless town, Whether blue or gray be her skies, Whether loud be her cheers, Or whether soft be her tears, More and more do I realize that... I love Paris in the spring time, I love Paris in the fall, I love Paris in the winter when it drizzles, I love Paris in the summer when it sizzles, I love Paris every moment Every moment of the year I love Paris, why oh why do I love Paris Because my love is near.
Talenton 