~Beehives in the Garden~

Jardin du Luxembourg

While researching and planning this year's trip, I read about an apiary in the Jardin du Luxembourg.  The bees and the beekeeping school have been in the garden since 1856.  Since we usually spend time in the gardens each time we visit, I added the bees to the "to see list", wondering why we hadn't seen them before.

 This is a perfect place for the bees as there are many flowering and fruit trees in the garden.  There's an extraordinary orchard next to the apiary.

The antique bee boxes are under the gazebo; the bees now make their home in the newer 'pagoda-like' houses.    The fountain in the middle of the apiary is especially for the bees.  The colony thrives as Paris is a pesticide free zone.

We entered near the Luxembourg Palace built for Marie de Medici in 1615.  It currently houses the French Senate.

We couldn't have been further from the apiary, which is in the southwest corner of the garden near the Rue de Fleurus entrance; an entrance we've never strolled by.

The Medici Fountain, a beautiful,quiet place to sit and enjoy the moment..

Walking along the Luxembourg Palace, the flowers are gorgeous.

The lovely white statuary circles the parterre garden.  They are all women, many Queens of France

French gardeners love their Dahlias.  They were spectacular!
Always reminds me of the dahlias my Mom grew in her garden..

                                                             More of the parterre garden

The Palais Luxembourg~now housing the French Senate.

We are slowly making our way to the other side of the garden, enjoying all the beautiful plantings.

Soon we came to a very large boules area.  There must have been a dozen games in progress.  These men are obviously friends and quite competitive.  They do have fun and we enjoyed sitting and watching.

Next to the boules courts was a very large play area.  This is a serious playground!

Now we are close to the bees!   The sign says; "Don't walk on the grass. Danger Bees"

I am so glad I read about this part of the garden.  Those bees have some luxurious housing.

The area near and around the apiary is quite beautiful as well.

Such a beautiful walk.  This area will definitely be on my "must do again" list.

This is the walkway from the south entrance to the gardens.  I love how the gardens are maintained.

Returning to where we began, we pass the large pool.  On weekends, there would be kids sailing boats.

The Jardin du Luxembourg is on every Paris 'must see' site list.  I've shown photos of the garden from every one of our Paris visits. I hope you don't ever get bored with this beautiful retreat.  I know I won't.

~Autumn in Paris~

Autumn is a beautiful season no matter what part of the world you experience it.

Place de Vosges

Bois de Boulogne

Eiffel Tower

10th Arr. Rue Rene Boulanger

Place Igor Stravinsky

Bois de Vincennes

Cimetiere du Montmartre

Fontaine de Quatre Patries du Monde

Jardin des Tuileries

Place Marche St. Catherine

Petit Palais~inner garden

Jardin du Luxembourg

Montmartre Vineyard

Place des Vosges

Parc de Belleville

Grand Palais along the Seine

Place de la Contrescarpe

Place des Vosges

Place des Vosges

Pere LaChaise Cimetiere 

Looking from the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower

(These photos were taken from Wikimedia Creative Commons)

~The Banks of the Seine~

The Seine runs through Paris dividing Left Bank from Right and carving out the 2 islands~Ile de la Cite and Ile St. Louis.  It is so vibrant and diverse; a neighborhood in itself.  It flows through 10 of the Paris arrondissements.  Most of the iconic sites can be found along the river including the Eiffel Tower, Louvre, Notre Dame Cathedral and Musee d'Orsay just to name a few.

The tour boats "bateaux mouches" are running constantly.  There are several different companies, so you will see long glass-enclosed boats as well as those that are open-air.

There are 37 bridges that cross the Seine in Paris. You can see many in a days leisurely walk.

We were walking on the Right Bank near the Grand Palais and noticed the walkaway littered with leaves and branches.  Then we came upon this interesting piece of equipment.  Now we know how they keep the trees trimmed so perfectly.

The barges moored along the river are varied, unique and interesting.  I wish someone would come up with a "Barge Tour".  I would love to see these up close.  Some are working barges, some are restaurants or belong to the police and fire departments; most are someone's home.

This is the beautiful entrance to the Quai Branly.  It is a wide open walkway.

This is a children's play area along Quai Branly.

 ( I think next time, I should take pictures of the "Playgrounds of Paris")

 

Les Berges de Seine  (click on the link to read about the new look of the Banks of the Seine) is the newest project going on in Paris.  This segment on the Left Bank when finished (which it probably is by now) will be a "floating park" as you can see on the sign. It is 2.3 km of interconnected islands. This is only one part of the huge renovation of the quais along the river.  The pedestrian walkways have been widened and are more accessible, more benches and plants have been added, safer crosswalks have been created and there has been a restructuring of the traffic patterns.

It's one of the best things about Paris, they are always trying to make it even more beautiful and accessible to all; and when they do it, as the article says, "they get it right".