All posts tagged: Park

The magnificent Deer of Richmond Park, London

Published by Roisin Astell

If you ever want to break free the hustle and bustle of the big city, then head down to the southwest suburb of Richmond. Here you’ll be able to escape and enter the wonderfully serene Richmond Park. Covering around 2,500 acres (making it the largest of the Royal Parks), Richmond Park has some incredible residents – hundreds of deer. As a national nature reserve and deer park, these deer have had a key part throughout the park’s history and have been roaming throughout the landscape since 1529. As you walk around the different paths of the park, every-now and then you’ll come across these splendid animals. Whilst down in London, a visit to Richmond Park was a high priority on my list! Armed with my camera and zoom lens, I was ready and prepared for an encounter with the deer! After some walking, they were spotted, and off I went! It was like being on safari! (not quite the same obviously, but as I’ve never experienced it, this was a close as I am currently …

The hippest garden in Paris? – Les Jardins du Ruisseau

Published by Roisin Astell

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 …

Roses in Blossom in Palais Royale Jardin, Paris

June roses at Le Jardin du Palais Royal

Published by Roisin Astell

The Palais-Royal is one of my favourite places in Paris. Hidden away from the hustle and bustle of the city, the Palais-Royal Jardin offers visitors the chance to take a break and enjoy the surroundings. In this elegant courtyard, one almost feels transported back into one of the many 18th century country gardens – with its symmetrical hedging and decorative fountain. There’s also something very captivating about the Palais-Royal Jardin. With every season, the Jardin seems to transform into a new and different version of itself. Having been there in both winter and spring this year (I will be blogging about Spring soon – better late than never), coming back and wandering around in the summer was almost like stepping into another new dimension of this exquisite garden. Welcoming those to the jardin, are a variety of beautiful full-blossom roses and various other flowers. I couldn’t resist taking a few photos of this delightful scene! Whether you want to go for a walk, or just relax by the central fountain, a visit to the Palais-Royal …

Hot summers day at the Jardin de Versailles

Published by Roisin Astell

For those who don’t know, summer has officially arrived in Paris. This last week it has felt like we were physically on the surface of the sun (well, of course not, but a bit of drama adds to the retelling!), it was h-o-t. HOT. On Friday it got to over 32 degrees, and even went above that in certain areas around the city. Don’t get me wrong, I love summer. But it gets a bit draining when you feel as if you’re about to melt. Despite the constant sensation of imminent combustion, my friends and I headed over to the Jardin de Versailles to soak up the sun, and enjoy this magnificent weather. The last time I came to the gardens, and the Chateau itself, was back at Christmas. So it was refreshing to see the place during a different season. We spent most of the day relaxing by the Grand Canal, watching the people row. After an obligatory ice-cream stop, we headed around the gardens and the outside of the Palace to have a look. …

Les jardins du Musée des Archives Nationales, Paris

Published by Roisin Astell

Located in the heart of the 3rd arrondissement (also part of the Marais), the Musée des Archives Nationales is another of Paris’ hidden gems. Les Archives Nationales, which is held in the main building, is one of the largest archival collections in the world. As an historian I find that just incredible. The building in which the museum now stands was originally the Hôtel de Soubise. The hotel was built for the Prince and Princess de Soubise in the 18th century. However, since 1808 the building was appointed as property of the State, hence how it has become the home of the Archives Nationales. First opened to the public in 2011, the Jardins of the Musée offer visitors respite from the busy city. Opening up onto courtyard that is enclosed by archaic arcades and encircled by typical 19th century landscaping, the main entrance into the Musée des Archives Nationales transports visitors into the past. Here you can rest, or continue with a leisurely walk through towards the right hand side of the courtyard (when you’re …

Le mur des je t’aime, Montmartre

Published by Roisin Astell

What better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day with a post all about love! This week I ventured off to Montmartre, and stumbled upon an infamous sight of this area. Stretching across 612 lava tiles, this is no ordinary wall. It is Paris’ Le mur des je t’aime, a wall devoted to expressing the words ‘I love you’ in 311 various languages. It was created by Frédéric Baron and Claire Kito, who both went round the various Embassies in the city and asked their neighbours to write down the phrase in their own languages, until finally they had gathered an adequate amount of love. Furthermore, what is interesting is that the artist Frédéric Baron stated that the random red shapes which interject various parts of the tiles have a metaphorical function, representing “the pieces of a broken heart” of “which the wall tries to gather together.” You can find this interesting piece of art in Jehan-Rictus Square, which is located right by Abbesses station in Montmartre. There is even a website for the wall: http://www.lesjetaime.com