It’s official, I’ll be in Colorado this winter for Christmas. Boy, I am I a happy lady.
I haven’t had much time to blog lately with the busy-ness at work, but I promise that I’ve got a lot of things to share in the coming weeks, as summer has finally arrived in Paris. Everyone seems just a little bit more cheerful with the sun out. As much as I am in love with the Parisian lifestyle in the summer, today I’m thinking of those Rocky Mountains.
Three Coloradans at the Eiffel Tower. Last summer was pretty magical, with lovely ladies in town and a hot summer that weirdly enough felt longer than the others after a long trip to Denver, and some down time before my professional life kicked off.
Valerie was still living in Paris, one of my partners in crime and another Colorado francophile and my dear friend Rachel came to visit Paris for the first time. A trip to the Champs de Mars is always in store. As I’ve expressed previously on this little blog of mine, I love how full of locals this park is, depite being the pinacle of all tourism in the City of Lights. 7th dwellers come for a jog or to lay in the sun, other locals treck the city for the most cliché view with a bottle of wine or two… it’s pretty fantastic, even when packed.
I’m ready for some fresh air. Paris feels more alive in summertime.
Only a whopping 5 minute walk from where I live is this magical place, the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil.
If you are a Parisian and know how crowded all the major parks get on a hot day with a cloudless sky, you can imagine how nice it is to have one that is never THAT crowded right next to your apartment. A true luxury if you ask me. There’s always space, it’s calm and a stress-free zone. Plus, there are greenhouses you can take a stroll through if you dare.
I will admit that rain or shine I love this place, for a jog, for a picnic, for a stroll… it’s just fantastic and a staple in my little Parisian life.
When I first moved to Paris in 2008, the 19th seemed so far away. Over the years my vision of Paris has become smaller, and now 30 minutes by bike brings me to the city center, and a 30 minute metro ride can very well be to the other side of Rive Droit.
I have a vivid memory of being at Buttes Chaumont for Nuit Blanche a few years ago. There were lamps placed every few meters across one of their fields, and as the sun set the park lit up with Pixar-like lights. There was a panel with messages flashing, and many other marvelous installations.
It’s the ideal park for a picnic. Despite the hills, if you find a good spot on a slight incline, you’ll be set for hours. The park is filled with youth and laughter, with runners, families, music and ice cream. Climb around the back of the hills up to the path that leads to the tower where you have a panoramic view of the city, with the silhouette of Sacré Coeur and Montmartre in the distance. You’ll feel so high up. From that particular spot things seem so far away and spaced out so awkwardly. There was smog, but with the sunsetting it made for shadowed like buildings contrasting the pastel skies. It was quite nice.
If you’re just visiting Paris for a few days this spot may seem pretty far out, but make the treck, it’s a different kind of charming, not like the other parks in the heart of the city.
I am still not over this weather. Somewhere inside me I still feel like I may need some more winter chills, or was I took busy with work and didn’t see the winter season pass us by? As I haven’t seen snow, I’m a bit puzzled.
Regardless, flowers are blooming and Parisian blue skies are bringing out the terrace seating and packed parks. As the days get longer I get mad at myself that I am anxious to wear my sunglasses a lot, and wander without a scarf and hat in my bag at all times with a big coat and heavy socks. For a girl who always loved the winter chills, perhaps this year I’m prematurely ready for Spring, and I blame this sudden burst of warmth.
One place I like to go for a stroll in the springtime is the Jardin Albert Kahn. It’s a magical little area just on the outskirts of Paris, like the Serres d’Auteuil, which are also magical, a beautiful park with various gardens. If this sun keeps up I’m going to have to go for a stroll there in the near future. Where do you go for a stroll as soon as the weather shapes up?
Jardin Albert Kahn
10-14 Rue du Port, 92100 Boulogne-Billancourt
Tél:
Métro: Boulogne – Pont de Saint Cloud (10)
