All posts filed under: Paris

Parc Montsouris

Parc Montsouris

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Located to the south of the city, in the 14th arrondissement of Paris, is a spectacular park which seems to be under the radar for tourists and many Parisians alike. Overall, the Parc Montsouris encompasses 15 hectares in space (37 acres), and the design of the park was modeled as a traditional English Landscape garden. Originally the site of a former granite quarry, Parc Montsouris was then redeveloped and opened in 1869 under Emperor Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann. However, whilst creating the park, there came some slightly morbid issues. Underneath where the park is today was a network of tunnels and abandoned mines, which had been filled with human skeletons. Therefore, before the work could continue, the human remains had to be removed and placed elsewhere – nice! In conjunction with the Parc des Buttes Chaumont, Bois de Vincennes and Bois de Boulogne, the Parc Montsouris is one of the four large parks that surround the city.  The Parc Montsouris is a wonderful place to come for a promenade, picnic and relaxation. At the …

Paris Metro sign, black and white

A return to Rainy Paris

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After being back in England for a month, last weekend I was headed back to Paris.Sadly it was only for a weekend, but any amount of time spent in Paris is sure to be appreciated. Despite having lived there for the past year and calling it my home, as I boarded the plane I couldn’t help but feel a little nervous. This time I was somewhat of an outsider – I was no longer the current au pair, and so it felt a little different visiting the city that had stolen my heart. Despite these minor worries, I was super excited to get back to the city of Lights and couldn’t wait! Although the weather throughout the entire weekend was pretty awful – rain everyday – I still had a wonderful time meeting with some of my closest and dearest friends who still live in Paris, as well as spending time with my au pair family. As soon as I stepped off the metro to meet one of my French friends, I knew that I …

The Orangerie, Parc de Bagetelle, Paris, Promenades, Park Paris

Parc de Bagatelle, Paris

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The Bois de Boulogne has a little secret, one that many people do not know about. It’s the Parc de Bagatelle, located to the left of the park near the River Seine. This fantastic park is one of the city’s four botanical gardens, and should definitely be on your list of places to visit in Paris. Within the park, there are numerous things to see and you could easily pass a few hours exploring all the different parts of the park. The expansive landscape of the Parc de Bagatelle is predominately designed in a mix of Anglo-Chinese style. As you wander around the park, you will also stumble upon some hidden gems; including several artificial caves and cascades to look from, grottoes to explore and ponds with water lilies. Oh, and you’ll also notice the beautiful Peacocks who roam freely around the park. If you don’t see them in person, I’m sure you’ll come across one or two of their feathers lying around! The Parc de Bagatelle is also home to a small neoclassical Château …

Le Jardin du Ruisseau, Paris

The hippest garden in Paris? – Les Jardins du Ruisseau

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Up in the 18th arrondissement, Paris has a little secret – Les Jardins du Ruisseau. As part of La Petite Ceinture (‘the Little Belt’), the former railway route has been opened to the public, with many of the old train stations having been redeveloped. It is here that the previous Gare de Charonne has been reconverted into a chic new restaurant and the delightful Jardins du Ruisseau are situated. After being used as a landfill site, in 1998 it was proposed to turn this space into a garden for schools and the community. After much expansion and redevelopment, Les Jardins du Ruisseau is now a small haven. Maintained by volunteers and local schools, the Jardins du Ruisseau has become a great place to come for a walk. As you wander up and down the garden along the train tracks, you’ll see a variety of flowers and plants. There are even seats and tables where you can bring your own food and enjoy a lovely picnic in the sun. The Jardins du Ruisseau is a delightfully sweet …

Paris off the beaten track/path - things to see and do in the Summer, France - roisingrace.com

Paris off-the-beaten-path: 5 things to see & do in the Summer

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Summer in Paris is truly magical, and it’s definitely a great time of year to come and visit the city. However, with this, comes a mass of tourists into Paris. But do no fret! For this blog post will show you some of the lesser-known sights of the city, meaning that you’ll be able to avoid those crowds who flock into Paris in the summer. Escape the rush, and stroll along the Promenade Plantée The Promenade Plantée offers walkers an unparalleled and unique experience. Often off the beaten-track for tourists, the promenade provides visitors with expansive views of the city – you become one with the various buildings and architecture, yet remain a flâneur simultaneously. It is a surreal experience – hardly do you find a place within a capital city wherein you feel totally separated from the buzz and rush; but whilst uniquely being right in the middle of it. Ascend the mysterious La Tour Saint-Jacques Throughout the summer months, the Tour Saint-Jacques opens its doors to visitors, to allow the public to ascend up …

Anish Kapoor, Sky Mirror, Versailles

Anish Kapoor exposition at the Palace of Versailles

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This summer, visitors to the Palace of Versailles Gardens are welcomed with a nice surprise. Located around the estate are the works of English sculptor, Anish Kapoor, which will be there until 1st November 2015. Known for his world-famous sculptures including the Cloud Gate in Chicago’s Millennium Park (also known as ‘the Bean’) and the 2012 London Olympics observation tower, ArvelorMittal Orbit in the Olympic Park, there is something very interactive and interesting about Kapoor’s work. I, myself, have been fortunate to have seen many of his works in person prior to seeing them scattered around the royal gardens of Versailles. Since June 9th, the Palace of Versailles has opened its grounds to some of Kapoor’s well-known works. The six sculptures on display around the estate create an interesting and complex dialogue with the pristine order of the gardens, in which Kapoor aims to “upset the balance and invite chaos in”, which I believe he has certainly achieved. As previously mentioned, Kapoor’s works are extremely interactive, using the viewer to bring the artwork to life. …