Last April, outdoor lovers flooded the Parc Monceau in Paris during an early ‘summer moment.’ You have to wonder if people work? go to school? have things to do?…as all hours of the day, the place is teeming with people. Check out the evidence in these photos:
Even French children make the outdoor ‘furniture’ their furniture…
But you have to pay attention to the ubiquitous “Do not walk on the lawns” signs…The French are particular about their grass…
Personally, I would rather see something more creative like “Do Not Walk on the Pyramids” signs. They seem rather walkable, no?
In any case, even if it’s freezing outside, the least amount of sun will bring out scores of park lovers:
Whatever the weather, I like to call Paris’s gardens and parks “outdoor rooms” as they seem to be an extension of home living space…you can even move chairs wherever you see fit…not a bad deal–and no French language required!
And here is a short list of some of my favorite Paris green rooms which are found all over the city:
- Parc Monceau (Right Bank)
- Luxembourg Gardens (Left Bank)
- Tuileries (Right Bank)
- The garden tucked behind Notre Dame Cathedral (Ile de la Cité)
- The garden at the Delacroix Museum (Left Bank)
- The garden at the Rodin Museum (Left Bank)
- The garden at the Carnavalet Museum (Right Bank)
French Take-Out ~ La France à emporter™
The French also like to make their own gardens in window boxes, on balconies, in a small plot behind a house in the country–wherever there is a bit of dirt. Of course, for that you need gardening tools, and the French company Le Prince Jardinier has the crème de la crème of anything you need to maintain your green spaces. Note that this is high-end stuff–you could call it the “Hermès” of the gardening world.
And speaking of dirt, the French Affaires book pick for April is French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France. We will gather to discuss this wonderful love affair with French gardening on Saturday, April 24th, at North Haven Gardens in Dallas. As part of our festive spring book event, NHG gardening expert and coach, Kay Nelson, will talk to us about growing French herbs here in the U.S. See the details below! (For full information on the French Affaires Book Series, please visit our web site.)
APRIL 2010
French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France by Richard Goodman
“I had a garden in the south of France…” So begins our French book pick for April. Author (and New Yorker) Richard Goodman describes his gardening adventure in a small village near Avignon where he discovers the riches of the earth as well as French friendships in his adopted close-knit community. Perfect for spring, French Dirt: The Story of a Garden in the South of France will inspire us to consider our own herb or vegetable gardens at home.
We’ll meet for our April book discussion at Dallas’ gardening heaven North Haven Gardens where gardening expert and coach, Kay Nelson, will lead us on a tour of the vegetable garden and herbs offered by NHG. Following her tour and tips for gardening in North Texas, we’ll enjoy wine and savory / sweet gourmet tastes made from French herbs as we discuss this month’s book selection. And we’ll take away a small herb gift as a fragrant souvenir of our gathering. Pre-registration is required; to sign up, please click here or call us 214-232-5344.
Date: Saturday, April 24, 2010
Time: 4 to 5:30pm
Refreshments: Herb-inspired savory hors d’oeuvres and sweets and French wine
Location: North Haven Gardens, 7700 Northhaven Road, Dallas, Texas, 75230