Monday 20 October 2014

Sunday Afternoon in the Luxembourg Gardens

Yesterday I spent a blissful few hours strolling about the Luxembourg Gardens, one of my favourite spots in Paris, with a fascinating history. I've visited quite a few times before, but always in the spring or summer, now I've been able to appreciate how autumnal beauty changes the park, but not the enjoyment.

I love the statuary
But can always find a new one I've never managed
to find before, no matter how large 
Although this one has long been a favourite
It looks great in the summer, but is more suited
to the autumn colours I think



Leaf collection must be a huge daily job at this time of year
There were lots of temporary enclosures

These pots were filled with vivid pink colour
in the warmer months
now gorgeous seasonal yellows and oranges



We've been in Paris for 36 hours
and finally a tiny glimpse of another favourite icon

The autumnal glory continues at the Medici Fountain

Perfect late afternoon lighting on the Senate building

Wherever you choose to sit awhile
you're rewarded with such beauty

The people were out in their thousands
And why not the weather is expected to turn colder today
Was this the last, perfect autumnal Sunday afternoon of the year?
It felt like it

People watching is an excellent past time anywhere in Paris, but particularly in the Luxembourg Gardens. Everyone was out yesterday. Young, and old, families, locals and tourists alike revelling in this most glorious of afternoons.

Admiring the beehives

Pulling toys

Weekend pony rides

This girl seemed to be playing and singing for the joy of it
She wasn't busking
She had a beautiful voice

Sketching
Parisians love reading in parks
and I love watching them,
and wondering what they are reading
French book covers always look so intellectual

Kids the world over love a pile of rocks it seems

It's always wonderful to watch the kids play with the stick powered boats

I'm not fully au fait with the rules
but it seems you can crash you boat into pirate boats

It's as iconic an activity as wearing
blue and white stripes

Malard ducks dodge the boats with ease
We glimpsed some Rose-ringed parakeets too
I hadn't seen them in Paris before
but we saw them in Amsterdam last year

Somehow I'd never seen the rather vast sandpits before

The chess players draw a crowd

I don't have to dream of France today, I'm here, living the dream.

Dreaming of France is a wonderful Monday meme
from Paulita at An Accidental Blog 

7 comments:

Brona said...

Let me just wipe the drool from my screen.....

Any post that allows you to use 'autumnal' in a sentence is off to a flying start, but your photos were sumptuous.

For a minute there I thought I was in Paris with you...esp since my bizarre, season-confused, rust coloured chrysanthemums have just started flowering, like the ones in the pots in your pics!

Louise said...

I've always like the word autumnal. I thought they were chrysanthemums, but wasn't quite sure.

If only we were in Paris together Brona, we should be having quite the time of it. Paris in the autumn is magnificent.

skiourophile said...

Now I am dreaming of Paris - perhaps in a slightly bittersweet autumnal way? I realise this sounds obvious, but don't the French look so *French* in parks?!

Sally Tharpe Rowles said...

What a beautiful post! You have captured perfectly with your photos & commentary a place well loved & familiar to me. Thank you.

Paulita said...

I'm so glad you are getting to enjoy Paris in the autumn, my favorite season! The light looks magnificent and to see all the Parisians actually there rather than tourists -- oh la la! Thanks for playing along with us even when you are in the midst of vacation.

Jeanie said...

These are such beautiful photos, Louise. How I love that light and all the action. The parks are such a part of life there, aren't they? I really love and appreciate that.

Beth F said...

What a gorgeous day! Thanks so much for taking me to the park.