JARDIN DES PLANTES
Sunday was our last full day in Paris. We changed the clocks back an hour the night before, making the time difference only 5 hours instead of six.
We walked to Jardin des Plantes, part of the complex that includes the natural history museum. In our earlier life, we made an official visit to the museum. We met the then new director from Montreal, toured some of the collections, and visited their library. A venerable institution with impressive collections.
On this day, the garden was packed with families and folks of all ages. On the way in, I noted a poster for a Paris science film festival. There’s a mineral hall, an evolution gallery, and live animals, but we headed for the formal gardens.
The blooming flora were overshadowed by a whimsical, wildly colorful, creative display of giant flowers and insects. They are part of the annual Festival des lumieres. At night, the plants and creatures are lit up, but even during the day they are attention-grabbing. Here are a few examples.
ON TO PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
While I was scribbling away on a blog post, the Chief Penguin made a foray to Place de la Concorde. He was determined to visit the sight of the first manned balloon flight which took place from Paris in 1783.
On his walk, he passed the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel by the Tuileries, then the plaza at the Louvre with its distinctive pyramid. Then on to the site of the balloon launch. It was somewhat hidden by some construction, but he located it. Along the way, he took snaps of Sunday in the park.
And yes, the accordionist was playing La Vie en Rose, Edith Piaf’s signature song.
REPRISE AND AWAY WE GO
We were relishing the familiar. Lunch was a return to Hanoi for more Vietnamese food, and dinner was back to Au Pere Louis, where we dined our first night in Paris.
On Monday, we flew back to Florida. Flights were smooth and on time. We arrived home full of wonderful memories of warm hosts, fabulous food, and the experience of daily life in France beyond Paris.
Note: Photos ©JWFarrington & GCFarrington (some rights reserved.)
