garden | A French Collection

Square Gabriel-Pierné, Paris – A Pink Fairytale Park in Spring

Square Gabriel-Pierné, Paris - A Pink Fairytale Park in Spring

Paris is an amazing city for the millions of tourists that flock to the City of Light to explore, dine and shop. But what about the locals who live, work, study and call the city their own? What makes the city amazing and so enjoyable to live in for them? I've asked many people who live in Paris what they love most, and it's the abundance of large gardens and small parks or squares that they love. Especially at springtime when the cherry trees blossom.

With so many Parisians living in apartments, gardens and parks are an essential part of their life, in fact they are rather like having a garden with all the benefits without the maintenance. Parisians embrace picnicking in parks, reading on quiet benches, watching their children on playground equipment, enjoying social gatherings or just simply taking in the fresh air and green surroundings. And this is regardless of the weather.

Parc Monceau, Paris

Parc Monceau is an exotic escape in central Paris. Located in the 8th arrondissement the park is the remnants of a much larger property once owned by the Duc de Chartres.

Parc Monceau - An exotic park in Paris

It was converted into a "Chinese" garden with winding pathways and "follies" including a pagoda, grottos, a labyrinth and mills - all of which transported the visitor to an exotic land.

If you visit this lesser known Parisian park today, you'll only find the modest sized pyramid and the Naumachie, an oval pool surrounded by a colonnade. Still standing is the rotunda at the entrance on Boulevard de Courcelles, which is one of four pavilions that still remain from the forty-seven that once graced this majestic park.

Square René Viviani – The Little Park in the Middle of Paris

Nestled in the middle of downtown Paris amongst ancient monuments, the Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church, stunning Haussmann buildings and the flowing waters of the Seine, is a little park named Square René Viviani. It's bordered by the Quai de Montebello, rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre and rue Lagrange in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, the heart of the Latin Quarter,

Square René Viviani - The Little Park in the Middle of Paris

Square René Viviani is right opposite Notre Dame de Paris, but is often missed by the general throng of tourists. For that I'm rather glad too, because it's a lovely little park that is mostly quiet, except for its Christmas markets which are well-loved since relocating from Parvis de Notre Dame de Paris since the 2019 fire. We'll see if the markets return to Notre Dame Square later this year.

Why is René Viviani Honoured with a Park Named After Him?

The Square is a tribute to René Viviani who was a French lawyer and politician that lived between 1863 to 1925. Viviani is remembered as France's first Minister of Labour. He also importantly became President of the Council in August 1914, and it was in that capacity that he signed the "General Mobilisation Order" on Sunday, 2 August 1914.

Small Secret Garden in the Marais, Paris

Jardin des Roisers Joseph Migneret, Paris

I stumbled across a small secret garden with a big story to tell the other week as I was going to one of my favourite English bookstores in Paris. Just near the Smith & Son bookstore in the Marais district, hidden behind buildings and with only a narrow gated entrance, I found Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret. Stopping to read about the garden on the City of Paris information sign, I then slipped through the open gate, to be quickly enveloped in freshness and lush leafy shade.

Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret - A Small Secret Garden in the Marais

Let me share more with you about this wonderful secret green space in the 4th arrondissement - where you'll find it, who the garden honours and my personal photos and a YouTube clip to watch. Be transported to this little slice of Parisian heaven hidden behind shops, office buildings and apartments.

King’s Garden at Versailles – Le Potager du Roi

King’s Garden at Versailles (Le Potager du Roi)

Did you know that amongst the grand châteaux, immaculate flowering gardens and hedge labyrinths, Versailles boosts one of the most impressive vegetable gardens in the world - the King's Garden or le Potager du Roi?

Now a classified historical monument, the King's Garden is an incredible place to visit. As you can imagine the scale of the King's Garden is in keeping with the sheer majesty of Versailles. It is just over 23 acres with 28 small gardens on the periphery and a large square made up of 16 square vegetable gardens surrounding a central fountain. It’s also where you’ll find one of the only original golden gates to survive the French Revolution.

Claude Monet’s Garden at Giverny, France

Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny in Normandy

"At Giverny, Monet created an ideal home for his family, a haven protected from the outside world and surrounded by the countryside that he loved. But this was also where he gained recognition as a major artist after years of rejection." - Adrien Goetz

Visiting Claude Monet's Garden

Visiting Claude Monet's Garden at Giverny in the region of Normandy, France is always a surreal experience for me and something I seriously recommend you try and do at least once. The house and gardens are where Monet lived from 1883 until his death in 1926. The gardens change with the seasons and sometimes the best season to visit is hotly debated, but I suggest you take the chance to visit Monet's Garden whenever you can - it will not disappoint.

At any time of the year wandering around the petite garden paths amongst the vibrant rainbow coloured flowers is like stepping into his paintings. I hope you enjoy my photos as I try and show you something a little different than what you may have already seen photographed in this garden.

Why Are All Paris Benches, Signs and Fences Green?

Paris is famous for its iconic green benches, chairs, fences and signs but have you ever wondered about the story behind why the public furniture and fixtures around Paris, including the beautiful Wallace Fountains, are painted green? The green colour is called 'Carriage Green' and it has a history all of its own.

Here's the story about the colour Carriage Green'. It originates from the dark period of history of the French Revolution and the beheading of France's King Louis XVI on 21 January 1793.

Château de Canon Garden – A Beautiful Garden of Normandy

Chateau de Canon Garden, Normandy, France

Château de Canon Garden - A Beautiful Garden in Normandy

Château de Canon Garden is the second garden in our Gardens of Normandy Series exploring the beautiful grounds, parks, and gardens of châteaux around the region of Normandy.

This week we take a look at Château de Canon, a special property because it has been privately owned by the same French family since it was built in the 18th Century. As a result of the family’s care and respect, the property has maintained its original design, aesthetics, and garden plan. In May 2000 , the gardens received the first prize of the Garden Art Company.