When you think of France's Parks, probably the first to come to mind is Parc du Champs-de-Mars with this well-known French Icon.
Actually there are 421 Parks and Gardens in France. What this means, effectively, is you could spend every day in a different park or garden all year long...and still have 56 left unseen.
All of the French Parks and Gardens (in depth) may end up being a Virtual Trip for another entire year by itself.
I have decided to explore a choice few this month...beginning with:
Champs-de-Mars and Jardin des Tuileries.
The Champs-de-Mars (English: Fields of War) is a nod to the fact the grounds were once used to train French Military. It was used as a marching and drilling grounds. Still today it is used for festivals and re-enactments. One of the most famous is Bastille Day on July 14th (coming soon) celebrating the storming of The Bastille. (Federation Day)
At the foot of the Eiffel Tower is the islet in the Seine known as Ile des Cygnes (Isle of Swans)
A quiet respite much like our own Central Park in NYC...tucked away from the hustle and bustle of Paris, France.
Beside the World Famous Louvre you will find Jardin les Tuileries. It is both the oldest and largest jardin in France. Created by Catherine de Medicis for the Tuileries Palace in 1564 to become a public park after the French Revolution. Doubtless the likes of Monet, Manet, Van Gogh and Renoir once strolled these grounds gathering inspiration from the landscape or the crowds of people on a sunny day. Camille Pissarro once captured its beauty in his 1899 painting:
The Gardens of The Tuileries on a Spring Morning.
Even today is is not hard to imagine strolling these grounds on a warm breezy Spring day with a cone of ice cream (with sprinkles, of course.)
Just a beginning. A glimpse of the gardens that France has to offer.
More anon...
A nice Youtube walking tour including the gardens.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pn9H0jbwoR4
