My husband's job takes him to Paris frequently for about four days at a time. I have been encouraging him to do more sightseeing around the area near his hotel. He stays in three different parts of Paris; this time he was near Bercy in the 12th arrondissement. When he left for this past trip I put a camera in his hand with instruction to take photos of Paris details. That's it. No further instructions, preferences, wishes, begging or pleading. I don't know why I didn't ask him to do this on his many trips before. When I downloaded the photos I was totally surprised and thrilled with the results. Maybe he's been paying attention to my love of design all along. Who knew? Maybe he's the best photographer in the household. He did a really great job. 325 photos in four days. He did a lot of walking around Paris. I want to share some of them with you over the next few weeks so as not to overload. I have divided the photos into different subject matters.
I am calling these Autumn in Paris as the leaves there are starting to turn but have not dropped off yet. His first visit is to the Jardin du Luxembourg, a 55 acre park started in 1612 by Marie de Medici, the king's widow and regent for her son, Louis the XIII. She asked for the planting of 2000 Elm trees. They have been replaced over time, I'm sure with new ones. On this day they were looking magnificent. In the park are 20 figures of French queens and female saints, only a few of them shown below. These figures were added in 1848 by Louis Philippe. There are over 100 monuments on the entire 55 acres. I think the ones in the center of the green lawn below are the four Times of Day - looking toward the Fontaine de l'Observatoire.
The golden tone of the tall Elm trees along the park are captured. The grass is amazingly green. Notice that there is a fountain at the end called various names including Fountain of the Observatory, Carpeaux Fountain after the sculptor of the women statues, or Fontaine des Quatre-Parties-du-Monde. The park is in the 6th arrondissement.
Love the turtles. Emmanuel Fremiet designed the horses, turtles and fish. Here are some close ups of the fountain's features created in 1874. Gabriel Davioud developed the Avenue de l'Observatoire in 1867.
Europe has some incredible fountains and that is especially true of Paris. There are water features everywhere.
The sculptor for the garlands around the pedestal was Louis Vuillemot. Love the seashells. Next is a view of the detailed structure on the top consisting of the armillary by Pierre Legrain and women representing four of the continents. The nudes were designed by sculptor Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux.
With the weight of responsibility in holding the world up, they forgot to get dressed but found time to put on their earrings.
I think the colors of the leaves are majestic as a backdrop to these queens. Probably prettier than just green leaves during the summer.
I like Mary Queen of Scots's crown. Below she is full size. The plaque says: Marie Stuart, Reine de France 1542-1587. Note the small waist. I like the folds of her skirt, too. Not so much the collar of the cloak.
I just love the leaf color here. Great job Hubby.
On the women statues, I was noticing the size of their hands compared to the size of their waists.
These leaves are just fabulously varigated and just postcard perfect. She is Clemence Isaure by Abtoine-Augustin Preault.
Moving along to the next one. She is Anne Marie Louise d'Orleans.
I couldn't find the name of this statue.
Let's look at some other architecture surrounded by fall colors.
Notre Dame's gardens full of golds, reds, oranges and yellows.
Here you can see the trees starting to change surrounding the buildings.
You are looking up from the Seine River at Notre Dame. This is in the 4th arrondissement.
This is the front of Maison du Jardinage in Bercy Park in the 12th arrondissement. I wonder if the vines on this building turn crimson red at frost.
This is more of the Palais du Luxemborg's gardens in the 6th again. Lovely tree color as a backdrop to the statues.
Geraniums and other flowers are still beautiful until frost. You can see the Eiffel Tower in the distance.
These rose bushes are still in full color.
Tomorrow I will show you some architctural details on beautiful buildings.
All the best,
Summer
Photo Credits: My Hubby [with hugs and kisses]
