They did it last year, they've done it again this year... 'It'? A 2 878 square meter (0.7 acre) garden right in front of the Hotel de ville (Town hall), a location where, normally, not much grows, except concrete! This year, on top of the 6 000 different species of plants they also managed to install a pretty cool pond in which more plants are to be found. This temporary garden can be seen until August 17, so if you're visiting Paris this summer you should definitely pay the hôtel de Ville a visit. Here are more photos taken by the Paris communications department.
We can guess where PHX_CDG might scavenge more fresh produce (late at night). If they keep that pond through to winter I wonder if it could be used for the ice skating.
ReplyDeleteIf they stock the pond with fish it could make this guy pleased.
Amazing stuff they do here (I like your photo on the making of - Hotel de ville garden, very visual). Do you know if they still do Paris Plage this summer ? Because in a few meters aways, we'll be able to switch from the beach to the garden and from the garden to the beach ! Ca bouge Paris ! Il va etre temps que je rentre au bercail ! Loic
ReplyDeleteA "temporary" garden? Well, I guess all gardens in theory are temporary, where snow falls at least.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting shot, Eric. Thanks!
This is one of the reasons I love Paris so much.
ReplyDeleteGreat photo, Eric. It plays tricks on my eyes! I look up to the statue expecting my eyes to focus, but they don't.
Ooh, I just got on PDP and I am a day late to wish Reine Guillemette 1ere a happy birthday. It is still June 23 here, though, and I did send her a text message.
ReplyDeleteThe Hotel de Ville garden is beautiful.
Honestly I prefer the other shot you posted on the making! Very cool project going on there. Great stuff! Almost makes you want to live in Paris ;)
ReplyDeleteWhy don't they just put a permanent garden there? Just curious...
ReplyDeleteEric, I love your pond photo -- it's awesome! It would be nice if it were a permanent garden and pond.
ReplyDeleteIs this the same exact space where they ice skate in winter?
Looks like the garden of a country estate! The pond photo is amazing too. I wonder how deep the pond is, and how long it took to put it all together. Eric I notice there's a Quick in the background of the pond photo. Did you pop over for a burger after taking this photo?
ReplyDeleteWell now, I call that amazing. What a nice toast to summertime. I like the way this photo made me the focusing agent, in a sense.
ReplyDeleteA great Idea, to use this open space for something special. I passed there once years ago and the space was filled with several huge tents. When I asked what was going on I was told that it was a job fair.
ReplyDeleteEric, Thanks for the links.
Eric...I like your title. Honestly, I never thought I'd ever see the word "prairie" in a PDP title. Fantastic! To the photo: what a great use of space...tranquil in the midst of the hustle and bustle of the city.
ReplyDeleteGuille and Coltrane, I sent you e-cards. Happy Birthday!
ReplyDeleteLois...you are the BEST!
ReplyDeleteIce skating in front of the Hotel de Ville would be great. Like in Basel...
ReplyDeleteChristian Loriau
They do the coolest stuff with this space in front of l'Hotel de Ville, don't they? (Last time I was there it was all decked out for the big reveal of choice for the 2012 Olympics. Considering what happened in London a few days after the announcement, perhaps just as well for Paris not to get it.)
ReplyDeleteThanks for showing us, Eric. And I love this photo, with just the twig fence in focus. And that pond is awesome.
Eric,
ReplyDeleteAs I have said before, " Only in Paris." Aaaahhhh.
I love the interesting depth of field in this photograph.
btw, tall gary --congrats on GF!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to learning more about this in the link. What a great idea!
ReplyDeleteBirthdays, both Guille and Coltrane? Joyeux Anniversaire!
And yes, Tall Gary, congrats on GF. And a link in that post to boot -- Impressive!
Lois...I've sent you an email. Merci to you Parisian heart aussi for the BD wishes.
ReplyDeleteToday I can only be a copycat and say as the rest:ONLY in Paris.....
ReplyDeleteThis is such an amazing idea and that they also carry it out is even more amazing.The pond looks great.
Becky, I think I have your answer. They don't put a permanent garden there because it's the nature of Parisiens to always be creating something new. This way, each year they get to create a new garden at the Hotel de Ville.
ReplyDeleteEric, thank you for creating a new and fascinating post for us every day.
I forgot to say that your photo is great too, Eric. I really like the fence in the foreground and that all the greens,the sculpture and the Town Hall are blurred. Good shot !
ReplyDeletePetrea I didn't recognize you :)
ReplyDeleteBettina, I'm so tired of that old pink shirt I just had to put up something else!
ReplyDeletewow.. what an idea. nice photo too. if all goes well... I will be there to see it :-)
ReplyDeleteTemporary? Well if the space is there and not used for anything, why not permanent? It looks gorgeous and must be appreciated, so why not?
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday again, dear Guille! I've replied to your comment of yesterday by the way....snigger...!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful. It seems like a lot of work and expense for a temporary garden - moreso if they put in that work and expense year after year! Why don't they leave it?
ReplyDeletePetrea you look great in your pink shirt. You look great in your doggy outfit too:)
ReplyDeleteI think it's great that this garden is not permanent, because that's what makes Paris so fascinating;all these big refreshing projects like the beach each summer, the iceskating in the E.T. etc etc. There's always something new going on, and with Danish eyes,it's always BIG and overwhelming.I love it!!!
Interesting shot, Eric.
ReplyDeleteI like very much your choice as a wink for the title and for the photo too.
I like this little fence, thin and a bit broken but, right here, able to prevent from seeing everything else clear!
Or should I say I don't like this little fence at all??...
Yes, certainly... the other -not blurred- photo is so beautiful... that's clear ;)
Beautiful! I wish I could see it in person - are there herbs?
ReplyDeleteI know that this is late, however, maybe next year. A French music event (Coltrane would like this too).
ReplyDeleteTonton, "I can't find that music Lois is talking about"
http://www.faccsf.com/
As guitarist Frank Zappa once said, "There are more love songs than anything else. If songs could make you do something we'd all love one another." Lois..."A French Music event"...is always welcomed.
ReplyDeleteBecky "Why don't they just put a permanent garden there? " :
ReplyDeleteThey have various events throughout the year. In the summer, they do summer stuff. They have expos. When I was there last fall, they had a skating rink with an igloo and a slide for little ones that was pretty cool, and an expo on the side to benefit AIDS. When I was there the time before, they had something else.
It's better than a permanent exhibit I think, it gives resident something different to look at.
Petrea, "I'm so tired of that old pink shirt" LOL You do look cute in your doggie suit though as pointed out by Bettina.
ReplyDeleteWhich reminds me, Katie took some photos of me for PDP. I will try one here. She makes me look very pretty. She is an awesome photographer.
until August 17? oh... if only it will be there till the end of the year, then i might get to visit it!
ReplyDeleteTall man!! Way to go -- GF.
ReplyDeleteAnd best birthday wishes to Guille and Coltrane -- I hope you have plans to celebrate for at least another week!
Isn't France just wonderful -- I think they are so in love with beauty that they are always building monuments to her, both great and small. In a city with more parks than you can count, why not put in a another one to celebrate the beauty of summer? I can hardly wait to see what will be there for me at the Hotel de Ville when I go...a winter wonderland?
I've always thought the place in front of l'Hotel de Ville is rather stark, less human than the building itself and the nearby areas. The pageants, ice rink, and this garden make it beautiful, useful, and inviting. It reminds me that large, drab areas can host temporary beauty, and do it regularly.
ReplyDeleteWOW Lois, You look stunning!!!
ReplyDeleteColtrane, I somehow missed saying happy birthday to you,too!
ReplyDeleteTall G, yes, I will be scavaging in Paris tomorrow, but not for food, I will be at the twice yearly SALES. Already cased out the dept. stores today in anticipation.
There is an exhibit of Princess Grace photos on the other side of the townhall. Maybe one day they will wake up and ask Eric to display HIS!
PHX-CDG...merci! I have enjoyed reading about your Paris experience. Shopping in Paris, really? You go girl! :-)
ReplyDeleteLois...Stunning profile photo!
And best birthday wishes to you, Coltrane, whatever the exact June date. Have fun.
ReplyDeleteBattina and Coltrane, Thank you and thanks to Katie. Here is another one -- she asked me to smile! I'll show you her favorite next.
ReplyDeletelois -- you do Katie and her camera proud!
ReplyDeletepetrea: cute doggie, but I have to say -- I liked the real person in the pink shirt.
lois -- btw, is that a Dale Chihuly glass piece you're posing in front of? Wow!
ReplyDeleteDid everyone forget the famous Chelsea Flower Show that happens every year in London in May? Seems like there is garden magic on both sides of the Channel.
ReplyDeletePHX_CDG: I hope you do well on your scavenger hunt. There are those who might encourage you to keep in mind the emergency 112 phone number. One would hope that it could be used in the rare but looming case of (heaven forbid) excessive hemorrhaging necessitating life support operations on your credit card.
ReplyDeleteAlexa, thank you, merci! Yes, you are right -- it is a Dale Chihuly glass piece I'm posing in front of -- Katie's idea.
ReplyDeleteI love this photo + that pond is incredible!! I also really like how this fence looks like chain link, but is really made of branches of some sort. I can't believe that was a year ago already! I remember that pink-framed photograph like it was from just a couple of months back.
ReplyDeleteLois, I like your new pix - Katie you are a great photographer. I was also wondering (just like Alexa) what that is behind you! It does look like a Chihuly!
Jeff...thanks for the BD wishes, too. JFK and I share the same birthday, June 20th, but I won't be running for the presidency of anything. Running from presidents is more my speed. ;-)
ReplyDeleteP.S. Phx - have fun at les soldes! Do tell us about what kind of awesome things you get (if you don't mind ;))
ReplyDeleteColtrane: if you run ahead, you ARE the precedent.
ReplyDeleteOh I had a picnic tonight on the Pont Neuf and didn't think to go to the Hotel de Ville to see the garden...I should have had a look at PDP earlier!
ReplyDeleteYou said that it's not the 1st time they do it? Interesting.
Some more grass and water in Paris can't be bad. Refreshing idea.
The way you took the picture reminds me the picture of Le Palais Royal you took few months ago. The fence probably. You like fences Eric! :)
Jeff...nice one, man!
ReplyDelete"The fence probably. You like fences Eric! :)"
ReplyDeleteGuille. I hate fences! Except when they contribute to a nice photo ;)
PHX, you're still in Paris? And you're gonna do the sales?! Lucky you!
ReplyDeleteHow long will you still be here?
PHX is doing the sales. Guille had a picnic on the Pont Neuf!
ReplyDeletesigh.
And this is why I love Paris.....
ReplyDelete