Bee Hives, Vineyards, Flowers, and More; Paris Gardens Have It All

This weekend was Fêtes des Jardins, an annual event that showcases all the public gardens in France and even the private ones that open only for this event.  Parisians are blessed with the most beautiful gardens in the world and this weekend we were privileged to see those that are hidden from our eyes the rest of the year.

I have a favorite that I go to yearly.  The convent of the Sisters of the Adoration in the 5th arrondissement have a beautiful and intimate garden full of flowers and herbs, and small enclaves inviting meditation and prayers.  Opened exceptionally for the fete, I find the energy sweet and calming and the sisters  always offer branches  of fresh bay laurel to all who come, as a blessing to take home.

Le Jardin des Plants is always dear to me, because I lived across the street for over 7 years.  In addition to the many colorful lanes of flowers, there is the Museum of  National History and a lovely zoo,  just by the Seine.   For this weekend they open their vast and very complete seed lab and repository from all over the world, that has unusual seed pods some as big as soccer balls.  Fascinating to learn how they gather, and store seeds to ensure that no species of plants will ever be distinct.

The bee hives are a fixture of Luxembourg Gardens, where they have plenty of fruit trees  to pollinate and gather nectar from the many flowering chestnuts trees and Japanese cherries.    The bees were buzzing about as usual in the hives and their honey, Miel de Luxembourg is for sale at this time. There is also a beekeeping school.   Visually the prettiest in terms of flowered terraces, and lake lined with statues.   The palace of Marie de Medici forms a background and her intimate fountain on the side is very romantic for lovers to meet and kiss.

Nearby is the lovely gardens of the Institute Catholic, a prominent private university today, that goes back to having been  the Abbey de Carmes.   In 1611, the monks started to make Eau de Melisse de Carmes, a liquor made from 14 herbs  and 9 spices still for sale in pharmacies today .  They say it is for all sorts of ailments, especially stress, fatigue and digestive problems.   But with its 80% alcohol, you certainly would feel less stressful or just forget what is ailing you!

High up in Montmontre a small garden holds the famous vineyards of Montmontre that harvests their grapes and markets their wine.  The only producing vineyards in Paris is Clos de Montmontre.  Must admit have never gone to the harvest, nor tasted this wine.

The biggest surprise of this weekend for me was seeing for the first time the absolutely huge formal garden of Les Missions Etrangere in the 7 th that is totally hidden from view behind walls and opened one day a year for the public. It was built in 1638 and was designed by Le Notre who laid out the fabulous gardens of Versailles.  There are rare ancient Asian roses amongst the sculpted lanes. The buildings are lovely too, and house over a hundred returning missionary priests from Asia and seminary students at any given time.

Throughout the year, a lot of Paris’s largest gardens are a feast for children, with pony rides, puppet shows, merry go rounds and sail boat sailing.  There is always ice cream and crepes for sale, along with pink barb a papa(cotton candy).  The Tuillerie gardens near the Louvre have a huge ferris wheel on the side of Place Concord from November to February each year that provides commanding views of the city, really spectacular at night.

Two large forested areas on each side of Paris, the Bois de Boulogne and Bois de Vincennes offer châteaux, lakes, an island and forest trails to get lost in the thick of greenery and trees.  Both are easily accessible by metro

I live nearby Parc Montsouris, which has all the above and a large lake full of ducks, swans and aquatic birds.    I regularly walk around the  whole park  for exercise plus cardio afforded on the mild hills.   Sunbathers bronzing away in the summer and picnickers dot the pristine grounds.  It is one of the few gardens that allow doggies on a leash, so I really enjoy seeing all the cute dogs prancing along.

Walking in the park is a time for me to meditate and pray amongst nature in all its beauty. Sometime I stop to chat with a few other regulars that gather to admire the geese and swans.   Sunday afternoons there is often free concerts here as well at Luxembourg .

The paths are starting to be sprinkled with chestnuts falling from the many trees and also some walnuts eagerly gathered as soon as they touch ground. Orange and gold tinged leaves announce autumn is near.  Whispering benches beckon me to sit awhile listening to the sweet nothings from lovers lips.

Green plants, trees and flowers give off healing energy, so I find it is very uplifting and soothing.  The color green is the symbolic of healing and renewal and it feels good to be flooded with this in nature.  With over 400 parks and green places, and tree-lined avenues with riots of flowers, Paris is a garden lovers delight!