Monday 13 June 2011

Marvelous Monceau

Parc Monceau is a beautiful park in the 8th arrondissement. Designed in the informal 'English-style', the park was established in 1769 by the Duke of Chartre. The Duke bought parcels of land and employed Louis Carrogis Carmontelle, an architect, painter, dramatist, author (Jack of all trades!) to design the gardens. At that time the gardens were called la folie de Chartres. In 1793 the Duke was executed and the park came into public ownership. In 1860 it became the property of the 'Ville de Paris'. 

On a sunny day the park is always heaving with people, young and old. It is a popular place to hold birthday parties for young children. Our son went to a party there the other day. After dropping him off I took a stroll round the park and took some photos. The party was held by the duck pond. Not a bad venue!


I love the soft creamy stone of the columns.


There are many statues dotted round the park.

And plenty of activities for children, including a rather extravagantly detailed manège.






I was very taken with this submarine.


There are old fashioned double swings.


Poney rides.


Amazing trees.


Good for climbing.

Roses.


Lampposts.

Hearts.


And great cake!

4 comments:

  1. Lovely photos of my favourite neighbourhood park! The manège is new, and controversial, having ousted a long-standing, family-run concern earlier this year.

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  2. Thank-you. Yes, the manège does look very shiny! I have a distinct memory that my son rode on a battered motorbike a few years back.

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  3. You truly do have a way to capture the beauty in Paris. Please don't stop.

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  4. wow...taking a peak at your posts, i realize I am woefully behind on some blog catching up! You've got some great stuff on here since my last visit. Monceau is one of my favs for summer picnics (you can sit on the grass - yay!) And, you really do capture so nice shots!

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