The weather has been magnificent these last few days in Paris, beautiful enough to leave the parapluies (umbrellas) at home for a rainy day ;-) and run outside to soak up the sun.  The parks that dot the city will be filled with tourists and residents alike, all positioning themselves to grab green metal parc chairs, pull out a newspaper, turn on an ipod or just lean back and take a nap.  One of the most beautiful places to do this is Parc Monceau.

 Unknown to many tourists, Parc Monceau is located in the 8th arrondissement that has little around it that would be considered touristy, so you would need to make a tiny effort to get here.  but in Paris that really isn’t that difficult–it usually means one more métro stop.  It was established by Phillippe d”Orléans, a Frenchman who loved all things English!  As a result, his goal was to create what you might find on an English estate; an informal layout, curved walkways and randomly placed statues and follies that differs from the traditional French garden which is very formal, symmetrical and well manicured.  Flowers are left to do as they please, some finding homes in hollowed out logs. The circular colonnade that you see in the picture, surrounds a pond and looks as though it has been here since ancient times with crumbling “debris” sprinkled about.  

 There are rock gardens, 

and waterfalls….

 elements that you won’t find in any other park in Paris.  

 It’s a good size and has lots of room for strolling (my movement of choice) running, roller blading and letting the kids just go crazy after a day of museums.  A picnic lunch would be awesome here as well.  If you are sensing that the sun is going to be out and being inside can wait for when the clouds roll in–which could be in about 5 minutes with Paris–I would plan to spend part of your day here in nature’s splendor!!

Parc Monceau:  Blvd Courcelles (between Blvd Malesherbes &  Ave de Vigny.   Metro:  Monceau

Photo credit:  Personal collection, Wikipedia 

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