Parc Monceau – A Cool Oasis à Paris…
Getting off the Métro at Villiers, we stepped onto the doorstep of the “dix-septième arrondissement”…
The “quartier” was nearly deserted…
Come August, the Parisian Bourgeoisie flee to their summer resorts.
But for the kiosk and a few cafés, the luxury Haussmanian buildings were shuttered and closed “pour l’été”…
Desperate for our “express” and croissant, as usual, we were delighted to find the chic café “Le Dôme”, with its beige and black straw chairs and their irresistible round tables – ready and willing to offer us both…
Having satiated our “must have” café, etc., we walked down Avenue de Villiers, where we came “juste en face” of the lovely “Parc Monceau” in the “huitième arrondissement”.
A huge black and gold filigreed iron gate, as well as an imposing rotunda, welcomed us into the portals of the delightful gardens, with majestic multi-coloured trees of yellow, dark red, pistachio-green, and an amazing cedar tree…
The park was established by Phillippe d’Orléans, Duke of Chartres, a cousin of the then king. He started buying land on which to establish the garden in 1769, and employed Louis Carrogis Carmontelle to design the gardens. He was a close friend of the Prince of Wales, later George IV, and a lover of all things English.
A charmingly romantic bridge bridged the garden into a small lake, the frolicking ducks were enchanting – the delicate corinthian columns, and statues of famous French figures including Guy de Maupassant, Frédéric Chopin,and Alfred de Musset, completed the perfection of the enchanting scene.
Roses… Roses… and more Roses… in all shapes and colours proliferated and were hugely admired by all the onlookers lounging on the dark green wooden benches that were conveniently planted around every nook and cranny.
The Parc Monceau, with its lush, lush trees…
The splash of flowers in pinks, lilacs, and yellows…
The children laughing…
Ducks ducking…
Was a delightful cool oasis…
On a hot, hot day…
“à Paris”.
a.