Jardin du Luxembourg - Tai Chi

Jardin du Luxembourg

A serious group engaged 

in Tai Chi exercises...

Love the lady in the background 

with her red fan.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Le Tour de France?

Le Tour de France?

Well, perhaps this young boy is not quite ready

for the famed race, but he handled his bicycle well on

the park path.

Tomorrow the race will finish on the Champs Élysées

and I will be watching from home.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

La Fontaine Medicis

Medici Fountain

A quiet respite in the midst of 

Paris, even in the summer.

Definitely one of my favorite places

to meet a friend...

 or just to sit quietly alone.

Medici Fountain

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

 

City Daily Photo Theme Day - Ephemeral

Jardin du Luxembourg

The autumn bloom of chrysanthemums are ephemeral 

but our memories are imprinted with the many shades of gold and orange.

On the first day of each month, the City Daily Photobloggers

from around the world interpret the "theme" and November's

theme is "EPHEMERAL."  Take a look here.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

 

un garçon et son bateau

Whether you are sailing one of these boats

or just watching, it will take you back to childhood

(if you ever left)

bon weekend

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg - la fille qui lit

Jardin du Luxembourg

-the girl who reads-

In the midst of Sunday afternoon park activity, 

this young woman sat peacefully with her book (e-reader), 

oblivious to intrusions on her private world.

May you have a peaceful 

and focused week

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

City Daily Photo Theme Day - "Celebrating Summer"

Jardin du Luxembourg

How to celebrate summer in Paris?

Where do I start?

While you consider all the possibilities, 

have a seat in one of the green chairs 

at Jardin du Luxembourg and watch the action.

The first of each month is Theme Day 

for the City Daily Photo people.

Click here to see contributions from all over the world.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

un petit garçon et son vélo

little boy and his bicycle

riding uphill on the uneven cobblestones of Rue Mouffetard...

This is a challenging venue for learning how to ride a two-wheeled bike.

On this Sunday afternoon, 

it was likely that they were headed to Luxembourg Garden 

with the soft chalky-dirt paths, 

perfect for a little one to practice the art of "balance."

Rue Mouffetard

75005, Paris

 

Jardin du Luxembourg - un moment de calme

Jardin du Luxembourg

-a quiet moment-

A warm Sunday afternoon on a (mostly) green park bench...

Tuning out the rest of the world

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg - La Fontaine Médicis

The Medici Fountain

Jardin du Luxembourg

This quiet space is found just east of the Sénat 

with the closest garden entrance at Place P. Claudel.  

The garlands of ivy on the long sides of the pool 

provide a respite from the otherwise crowded garden.  

Even when all of these chairs are filled, 

there is a hush and reverence, 

perhaps a tacit understanding by those who come here.  

It is one of my favorite quiet places in Paris

bon weekend

Medici Fountain

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

 

Jardin du Luxembourg - les nuages, les fleurs, et les anges

Jardin du Luxembourg

These cherubs appear to be lifting a bowl,

 filled with flowers, 

holding it up to the sky 

to better receive the rain

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Pétanque X - Jardin du Luxembourg

Jardin du Luxembourg

On my next trip to Paris I would like to play a game of Pétanque

but the regulars of Jardin du Luxembourg (and Tuileries)

would not likely embrace this American beginner.

Perhaps a trip to Bassin de la Villette in the 19ème 

would be a better place to start.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg - une tortue verte

A green turtle in

Jardin du Luxembourg

This young fellow with a jacket and mittens

 to match his green turtle seems in a daze.

Is he wishing that he had jumped on the cart led by a stallion 

which would surely be faster than une tortue?

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

 

Yah! Yah! Plus vite, cheval!

Playing in Jardin du Luxembourg

There is a large rectangular area in the garden where children can race pedal cars.

This joyful child is enjoying what would be my choice for a ride, a well-kept horse with a blue saddle and a red cart.  Most of the rides are cars, tractors, and other mundane vehicles.  She found the only one with a horse, and commanded the field.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg - Marrons chauds?

Jardin du Luxembourg

Marrons chauds, Chupa-Chups, an embrace, a sideways glance...

Despite this being a city of rules and red tape, 

I do not think that these two gendarmes were going to check her license and work papers.

souriant...

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

Le manège Garnier - Jardin du Luxembourg

Carousel in Jardin du Luxembourg

This charming carousel in Jardin du Luxembourg was constructed in 1879 

from the plans of Charles Garnier, 

the architect of Palais Garnier (the Paris Opera House).  

The animals are suspended from the canopy,

and after selecting a wood horse or elephant, 

each child is given a wand.   

On each turn of the carousel they try to catch a brass ring.

As you can see from this eager little girl, 

some are quite good at catching the ring!

Le manège Garnier

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris   

Rue Soufflot - les trois amies

Rue Soufflot

The grand rue between the Panthéon and Jardin du Luxembourg

has many interesting windows, architectural elements,

and a few signs.

I do not think that photographers say, "Watch the birdie!" any longer.

Rue Soufflot

75005, Paris

Pétanque?

Jardin du Luxembourg

Rather than an intense game of Pétanque among the masters of the game,

it appears that I found them taking a break.

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris



Bassin principal - Jardin du Luxembourg

If ever you are in Paris alone, Jardin du Luxembourg will provide your entertainment. 

Sailing boats in the octagonal basin

Watching a lively game of pétanque

Taking a ride on a very simple carrousel

Checking on the bees at the apiary

Enjoying a performance in the theatre of marionnettes

Playing a sport: tennis or basketball

Strolling through the shaded gardens

or

Reading a book in a familiar green chair

Jardin du Luxembourg
75006, Paris

Jardin du Luxembourg - bateau à voile

Please disregard my earlier comments on "Paris colors" as apparently rose foncé, or bright pink as I would call it is quite popular in the city as seen here on this little boat in the center of the hexagon basin of Jardin du Luxembourg.

May your sails be full as you head into the weekend

with a nice reflection on the previous week.

Hexagon basin

Jardin du Luxembourg

75006, Paris

(For more reflections come to James' Weekend Reflections!)