Albert-Kahn Musée et Jardins

[htmb]

I have caught myself thinking almost every public garden I visited in France this year was my absolute favorite, and the Albert Kahn was certainly no exception. In fact, it may have been my favorite of favorites.

I had been trying to get there all summer, and had even gotten close once, but I finally made it near the end of July. Despite the fact some of the gardens were closed for renovation, and a new museum building was under construction, we were able to tour much of the grounds and see a few of the photos on display.

Here's a link to Kerouac's original, and very detailed, Albert Kahn report, which was the inspiration for my desire to visit the gardens in the first place.

The Albert Kahn Gardens


A trip back, possibly during a different season, is definitely on my list of things to do the next time I'm in France.

We walked through the small museum building and looked at some of the photographs on display, but seeing the gardens was our main goal.










One of the first things we saw upon entry through the garden doors was an informational sign detailing some of the renovations.




And this area was closed to us.







Down to the left was the pond with it's marvelous fish. They seemed to almost have different personalities and were quite active.

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The water lilies were at slightly past the perfect stage.







Only a few people were in the gardens at the time. Some were painting, while others just seemed to be relaxing and enjoying the peacefulness of the place.







The foliage was lush and green after all the spring and summer rains.










These cranes were over where the additional museum building is going up and acted as guiding beacons as we came out of the Métro.







A quick look over the wall to the outside world...




And back to the garden path.

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I was intrigued by this delicate little ground cover.

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The red paint on this bridge really makes it stand out and seems to help make the area a more peaceful place.

[bixaorellana]

Your glorious pictures really convey what a treat it must be to physically visit that garden, as the visual treat is absolutely wonderful.

I especially appreciate two things you've done here -- one, to give such a good idea of the layout of the garden and two, to linger over and show us the wide variety of foliage colors and textures, along with trees. Flowers are all very well, but there is so much more to a good garden, as your pictures perfectly convey.

The museum does look interesting, but I totally appreciate wanting to get out of there into the main attraction. Thanks for all the fish, too!

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Thank you, Bixa. You always have such nice things to say!

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There were more signs with information about the renovation, but nothing much seemed to be happening in the building behind this security fence.







There was plenty of green, but blooming flowers seemed to be limited. I'm guessing the time of year was mostly to blame.

























Seemingly in the middle of nowhere....




Figs!

[htmb]

Before posting more of my photos I thought I'd insert this video I found. It displays a nice overview, and there is an opportunity to hear from the person responsible for keeping up with the gardens, along with interviews of a gardener or two. Even if you don't understand much French, the six and a half minute video will give you a better idea of what there is to see for the cost of just a few euros.

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Here was another building tucked into an area of the forest.







There were plenty of places to sit and chat while enjoying the sunshine.







A few roses were still blooming.













Trying to photograph the very active bees was great fun.

[fumobici]

What a lovely set of photos, i feel like I have just spent an hour or so strolling around there. Special mention must be made of the photos of the carp, I love the reflections in the surface and the fish under the water, almost like an M.C. Escher print.

[htmb]

Thanks very much, fumobici. More fish photos to come later.

[fumobici]

I've never been to these gardens, mostly because there is hardly anything else nearby that screams out to me to visit and it's kind of a ways out of the center (if I am remembering the correct place). Not that getting anywhere in the city is really that difficult with all the public transport.

[bixaorellana]

There can never be enough fish!

Even with all the dazzle in this latest installment -- the daylilies, the late roses, the marigolds, the bee rising from the marigolds, etc. -- you have truly caught the contemplative nature of a garden. Lovely!

[htmb]

Aug 29, 2016 20:57:38 GMT fumobici said:

I've never been to these gardens, mostly because there is hardly anything else nearby that screams out to me to visit and it's kind of a ways out of the center (if I am remembering the correct place). Not that getting anywhere in the city is really that difficult with all the public transport.

It's at the end of Métro Line 10, the Bologne, Pont de Saint-Cloud exit. Very easy to do. The first time I attempted to get to the gardens was by bus and I didn't fare as well. However, riding the bus back from the gardens to the center of Paris on this trip was quite nice, though I didn't have to worry about navigating.

[htmb]

More of what I think was the French garden area.




I find this form of gardening fascinating, but I'm not sure if I actually like the look.






















Looking down one of the closed pathways. The English Garden area?

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We're headed back to see the fish now.







Admiring things along the way.










Ahhhh! Here they are...










I played "daredevil" and walked out onto some of the rocks in the pond.




Fortunately, I didn't fall in with the fishies.

[htmb]

[Deleted]

I like seeing the garden through a different eye. One thing I notice is how almost completely devoid of flowers it is in mid-summer. It's perfectly fine but it is a different experience and most definitely different from the "azalea orgasm" in the spring.

You did not see the English garden because it is tucked away behind the Japanese garden, and there was no access to it. All the more reason to return on a future trip.

[htmb]

Just a few more photos to go.







This little bird was quite interesting. It was eating fruit that had fallen to the ground. The bird didn't appear hurt, but I never saw it fly, even though we were very close.










Here's the azalea hill Kerouac featured in his thread when it was in full bloom.
See comment above.








And then it was time to go....

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Aug 30, 2016 3:04:15 GMT kerouac2 said:

You did not see the English garden because it is tucked away behind the Japanese garden, and there was no access to it. All the more reason to return on a future trip.

If I ever get back to Paris, a trip to the Albert Kahn is sure to be on my list of places to visit.


Here's a drawing of the museum building now under construction.

[tod2]

Terrific photos HTmb! The beautiful bird you snapped so brilliantly must be a type of Shrike judging from the little hook and the end of it's beak. I could be quite wrong but if I find the name - will post it here. What gorgeous blue feathers on the wings!

[bixaorellana]

After the last time I looked & commented, I didn't think this thread could get even better, but oh it did!

One thing that is so impressive are the photos after the caption about looking down the path & wondering if it led to the English garden -- they so perfectly show a Japanese garden in all its mature splendor and show it from the point of view of the wanderer in the garden, rather than from some lofty perspective as is more common. Even though I've always admired Japanese garden style, your pictures made me love it.

That circular berm(?) thing is very impressive, as are the terraces with their round stones. That little stream is lovely -- you can almost hear it! -- and that parting shot with the red reflection in the water is just perfect. Now I am dying to see this place for myself.

Dat boid ~
Eurasian jay <-- click

[mossie]

That bird is a jay, not the best behaved bird. It bullies smaller birds and eats their eggs and young. It also makes an awful screeching noise.

[tod2]

Oh Thank you Bixa! It is a beauty. It sound as if Jays are not the most popular birds - probably raid nests etc.., but my word are they beautiful!

[htmb]

From the photos you might thing the gardens were huge because we circled through them a couple of times. However, they only cover ten acres and we obviously didn't get to see everything. There's a lot of carefully structured landscaping packed into a smallish space. Many of the trees were quite interesting, such is the one in the second photo of post 16. I think it was a willow, but I was unable to take a close-up photo that did it any justice.

[bjd]

Are those leaves at the very front of that photo in post 16 part of the tree you are wondering about? If they are, it's not a willow, which has narrow, pointed leaves. Those leaves look more like a beech.

[htmb]

Yes, that is the tree, Bjd. Here are another couple of photos. The tree is really magnificent seen from below, but I was unable to photograph it well enough to show its unique features.

[bixaorellana]

Htmb, I think your tree in the 2nd photo of #16 might be a beech, specifically Fagus sylvatica 'Pendula'.

[htmb]

I never realized beech trees had branches that cascaded down in that way. I suppose I never really paid attention before now.

[bixaorellana]

Ahhhh ~ as I was rummaging through google trying to corroborate my guess, you & Bjd were posting. I had been hoping that Bjd would weigh in on the tree, as she really knows her stuff. I feel truly corroborated now!