There’s been quite a gap since we did the post on Place Dauphine, but now Jardin des Plantes is crying out to be exposed in all its spring glory. Because it’s a bit less central than some of the other parks and gardens we’ve shared to date, it is perhaps less well known and visited. But for the months of April and May particularly it really is the place to be. Many visits are required to keep up with the rapidly changing blossom that is typical of spring.
Today it is known as Jardin des Plantes or Jardin des Plantes de Paris. But that is really the shortened version of its original name, Jardin Royal des Plantes Médicinales (“Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants”).
This Journal post is a VERY abbreviated and somewhat superficial look at this extraordinary place. We just wanted to show you the gardens and are not going to cover the Gallery of Evolution, the Gallery of Mineralogy and Geology, the Gallery of Paleontology and Comparative Anatomy, the Botanical Gallery, the zoo, the National Museum of Natural History and so on. But you should be aware that there is a lot more to Jardin des Plantes than you will see in this Journal post which concentrates on the beautiful trees and flowers in spring.
Nor are we going to identify the trees and flowers botanically. You can read all about them in great detail in Georgianna Lane’s wonderful book, Paris in Bloom which is highly recommended for anyone who loves or is interested in Paris and flowers.
SOME HISTORY
Origins are always interesting. What is now the Jardin des Plantes de Paris was officially founded in 1635 when King Louis XIII created it, by royal edict, as the Royal Garden of Medicinal Plants. The garden was placed under the care of Guy de la Brosse, the king’s physician, and staffed by “demonstrators” who lectured visitors on botany, chemistry and geology, using the garden collections for illustration. The Jardin des Plantes has a great deal more history than that, of course and has evolved over the centuries, but that is how it came into existence.
Let’s talk about the gardens. High on the list of attractions are the beautiful white and pink cherry trees which bloom in late March and April.
But back to cherries in a minute. There are some wonderful magnolias including a beautiful yellow magnolia.
There are some really sweet crab apple trees with their incomparable blossom.
FLOWER BEDS
The Jardin des Plantes has wide open spaces with beautiful, well-maintained and often changed flower beds.
IRIS & PERENNIALS GARDEN
Tucked away on one side is the iris and perennials garden.
ROSE & ROCK GARDEN
Much more extensive that shown here, this is a fairly new addition.
TREES & BUILDINGS
Of course the mostly ancient buildings make a beautiful backdrop for the trees and blossoms.
A FEW MORE
We’ll end with just a few more images just because there is so much beauty in the Jardin des Plantes that it’s hard to stop!
We do hope you have enjoyed this post. If you have not had a chance to visit the Jardin des Plantes, this may inspire you. April is definitely the best month for it but it’s worth visiting at any time of year.
There are many images in this Journal post. Most of them are available for purchase as prints or canvases even if not already listed the shop. If you would like any of the images, please contact us by email and let us know which you would like. Screen shots are a good way to identify the images you are referring to.
Please leave a comment below. We always appreciate hearing from you.
À bientôt,
The Parisian Moments Team