Bois de Boulogne

We got started really early this morning (9:00 am), as we have only three days left and two of them, alas, are going to rain.  So we decided last night this was to be a big park day.  We completely take it for granted, but isn’t it amazing when you really think about it, that you can check the weather for the next day from your computer? 

Bois de Boulogne is a huge park on the west side of Paris and almost equals the Bois de Vincennes in size and scope.  I just looked it up in Wikipedia and learned that the Bois de Boulogne is two and half times as big as Central Park and the Bois de Vincennes is three times larger.  Also, I read that Napoleon III made Bois de Boulogne into a park in 1852 but it’s been a place of recreation and festivities since the mid 1500’s.  It’s interesting to note that today it is known for a prominent place of prostitution at night.  One woman started early; we rode by her, hard at work, soliciting from a bench, at approximately 13:30.  (I did not take her picture.)

I am happy to share with you that this time we rented bikes and rode all through the park to the Parc de Bagatelle, perhaps one of the most beautiful rose gardens in the world.

See the two atheletes?

Parc de Bagatelle

The French seem to like these labyrinth, spiral type paths; I remember something similar in the Jardin des Plantes.  This little trail leads to the top, where they have thoughtfully placed a small bench overlooking the whole park which my sweetie and I had entirely to ourselves.

Here is a resident chat, feeling quite good about himself, who greeted us on our way to this lovely Gazebo where we enjoyed a piece of white chocolate and a kiss.

A very happy couple in the gazebo . . .

We wandered through row upon row of gorgeous roses, all pruned perfectly and carefully tended.  We had a lot of fun taking multiple pictures of the roses.  Here are a few of mine:

We continued through the Parc de Bagatelle past a waterfall, a fountain surrounded by flowers, a sculpture of les Druides and even a peacock before stopping for a picnic lunch, (can you guess what we had?) overlooking a large meadow, where we spotted several feral cats during the course of our meal.  I believe I counted up to ten of them in all, including a darling little kitten.  This guy is pretty tame for a feral cat . . .he loved Rob’s cool new blue Adidas.

 

What a delightful four hours!  Here is one more chat saying goodbye at the gate . . .