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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 13:41:02 GMT
The Parc de Bagatelle in the Bois de Boulogne is one of several botanical gardens in Paris, and its speciality is the rose garden. I have been wanting to go back for some time, but with the weather being so unpredictable in recent months, it has been hard to choose the proper day. However, the roses have finally started coming into full bloom in the central parks of Paris, so it seemed that the time had finally come for Bagatelle. On top of that, there has been a notification that the rose garden in the park will be closed on June 13th for the international rose competition. The garden must be reaching its peak. Unlike my previous trip, I did not have a car this time, so I was able to appreciate the challenge of going there by public transport. The Bois de Boulogne is already on the edge of the city, and Bagatelle is hidden somewhere near the centre. The routefinder told me to take bus 244 from Porte Maillot, and that's what I did, just after 9 a.m. The Bagatelle stop is not quite at the front gate. However, there are some directional signs for orientation. I was just behind an intrepid Japanese couple who also wanted to be there when the gates opened at 9:30. Luckily, none of us were here to jog, because jogging is forbidden. I still remembered the path to the rose garden, which I wanted to see first. It was immediately obvious that the roses were not in bloom! I hunted the wildlife instead. It is not as warm out at Bagatelle as in Paris, so the roses are terribly late. Oh, of course I found a few anyway. I appreciate the less usual colours. Okay, let's try and make the best of this anyway. Once the buds open, the rose garden should be breathtaking. If this counts as a rose bush, it might be the largest that I have ever seen. These would be wild roses, right?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 13:53:39 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 14:02:53 GMT
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Post by bjd on Jun 11, 2013 14:49:27 GMT
Beautiful peonies. Mine are finishing and looking lousy because of all the rain we have had.
I have seen those woody things elsewhere, beside a lake in the Landes. No idea what they are but they don't seem to be part of a tree.
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Post by mich64 on Jun 11, 2013 15:06:53 GMT
My goodness, nature is truly amazing. What spectacular examples.
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Post by patricklondon on Jun 11, 2013 15:17:30 GMT
Such a pity everything's so topsy-turvy as a result of the cold spring. The rose garden in Hyde Park was certainly looking rather bare at the beginning of June. I'll have to check it out again soon, and Queen Mary's rose garden in Regent's Park. But you managed some lovely shots all the same - Nature will have its way in the end.
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Post by Breeze on Jun 11, 2013 15:51:45 GMT
Thank you, kerouac. I hope you think it was worth it even without the roses. I certainly enjoyed seeing peonies, clematis, and amazing foxgloves.
The peonies are spectacular, as peonies always are. I want that single white peony. Would you kindly go back in August and dig one up and send me a section?
I was happy to see the Rhapsody in Blue rose which I have admired in the past. My camera, or maybe it's me, falls flat when it comes to photographing anything blue or purple. It's one of the regrets of my life that I can't duplicate morning glory blue.
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Jun 11, 2013 15:59:48 GMT
Amazing photos, I love the way you captured it. Too bad it has been affected by the weather, but I hope the roses will catch up quickly!
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Post by tod2 on Jun 11, 2013 17:12:19 GMT
You are such a tease Kerouac! I was taken through another time....another trip to Paris with your wonderful photos! I recognised every inch of the gardens and am in agreement that the weather has played a cruel trick on the vegetation and delayed it almost to the point of exasperation! The last time you went through the gardens ( as I remember....) was with your mother. You pushed her around but to no avail....of interest on her part. Now!!!!! Please don't forget ( if you have the time and inclination - to go to L'Haÿ-les-Roses in July). I think you will be impressed!
But wait...I am super impressed by your photos of the blooms that were! Also thrilled to see the Peacock that posed and strutted for us when we visited- THANKS for a superb group of lovely photos!
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Post by tod2 on Jun 11, 2013 17:14:34 GMT
Patrick - Please, please go to Queen Mary's Rose garden when you think the roses will be at their best.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 17:19:12 GMT
The next part of the park was a wild prairie. However, it must have been spectacular in a different way two months earlier because there were several signs asking "please do not walk in the bulb fields."
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Post by Deleted on Jun 11, 2013 17:37:17 GMT
I'll see the roses again some day, but if anybody cannot wait, here is the report that I made in the rose garden two years ago: The rose garden of Bagatelle
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Jun 11, 2013 21:50:54 GMT
The waterfall is amazing and so are the peacocks - you captured his expression and brilliant colors beautifully!!! Have you ever visited this garden during winter time? I could be hauntingly beautiful I imagine AND the bus stop is accessible IF the Cowboy wants to join me. I swear I'll have to extend my vacation this Christmas if I get any more ideas
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Post by htmb on Jun 11, 2013 22:47:25 GMT
A very pretty and peaceful park indeed. Those flowers that are blooming sure are pretty. I especially love the deep pinks.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 12, 2013 4:18:44 GMT
The waterfall is amazing and so are the peacocks - you captured his expression and brilliant colors beautifully!!! Have you ever visited this garden during winter time? I could be hauntingly beautiful I imagine AND the bus stop is accessible IF the Cowboy wants to join me. I swear I'll have to extend my vacation this Christmas if I get any more ideas They even have free wheelchairs to loan at the gate, but some of those gravel paths were killers when I was trying to take my mother around.
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Post by tod2 on Jun 12, 2013 12:14:35 GMT
Once again I can only commend you Kerouac on such fantastic photos. The close up of the peacock is stunning! You would have won the 'Moss, Lichen and Fungus' photographic competition hands down with your close-up photo of the waterfall and bright green moss......it is terrific! I will have no trouble getting to the gardens on my next visit as I now know the exact bus to catch - had a bit of a hiccup with buses the previous time. Seemed to always be going in the wrong direction for some reason. Your shot of the skyscrapers through the rose arch showed just how close the gardens are to Seine and La Defense. Those 'childless' ducks may have lost out to the cats maybe......little quackie snacks I think, noticing that the other two parents only had three ducklings to guard. There must have been at least 10 to start with
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Post by fgrsk8r1970 on Jun 12, 2013 14:42:32 GMT
Thanks Kerouac - Sounds like it might be a little ambitious to do in the winter time Right now I have "Musée des Arts Forains" on my plan (assuming it will be open again for the public starting Dec 26th, Grande Galerie de l'Evolution, some of the passages you posted about and MAYBE for me on an early morning "La champagne a Paris" (that will totally depend on weather because I doubt I'll walk up all those stairs if it rains/snows)
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Post by fumobici on Jun 13, 2013 1:07:10 GMT
Lovely photo essay of a lovely place. What are the locals thinking staying away in droves?
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Post by woody77 on Jun 15, 2013 20:42:00 GMT
This definitely looks interesting, but with a stroller, we'll have to stick to the paved paths (or hardpacked).
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Post by lugg on Jun 16, 2013 9:36:15 GMT
Really enjoyed reading this report, even though the roses were not at their best the peonies made up for it, they are fabulous . I think the close up of the peacock photo is WOW.
-were they not Cypress knees ?
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2016 16:38:18 GMT
I find it a bit astonishing that in mid-June in Paris it is possible to have an entire huge park all to yourself. Since my last visit 3 years ago, this has not changed, not that I'm complaining.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2016 17:01:21 GMT
Gorgeous! Thanks for returning when they are all in bloom.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2016 17:31:39 GMT
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Post by fumobici on Jun 17, 2016 18:34:40 GMT
Peahen with the babies, please. I hope I get to this lovely spot, but in the meantime I thank you for the pretty tour.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 17, 2016 18:36:26 GMT
Saved me from nit-picking, fumo.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2016 6:36:57 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2016 6:40:56 GMT
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Post by bjd on Jun 18, 2016 7:26:29 GMT
It looks as though the cats have tipped back the bench in the first picture to save it for themselves.
I'm ashamed to say I have never been to Bagatelle and didn't realize it was so big and so nice.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 18, 2016 17:59:22 GMT
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Post by tod2 on Jul 7, 2016 14:14:00 GMT
Lovely relaxed photos of these beautiful gardens Kerouac! I'm sorry to say I have only been there once many years ago. The irises were in bloom and took my breath away they were so enormous and of such a variety. Glad to see you snapped The Château de Bagatelle. Especially the central domed feature which was a music-room when it was built as a small hunting lodge. At a party held shortly after completion in 1777, guests were treated to a small billiard-like table with raised edges and cue sticks, which players used to shoot ivory balls up an inclined playfield with fixed pins. The table game was dubbed "bagatelle" by the Count and shortly after swept through France, evolving into various forms which eventually culminated in the modern pinball machine. Just a little useless information.....
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