Yes, I'm done editing some of the 250 photos I took at the Jardin botanique des Serres d'Auteuil. Botanic gardens make me so extremely happy, especially if they include palm trees, cactus plants and succulents, that it always results in too many pictures 😉
This garden in Paris has been on my must-visit list for so long and when I heard a few months ago that it risks to be closed and destroyed on behalf of another Roland-Garros tennis court, I knew I had to go NOW. I sincerely hope the City of Paris, who owns the botanic gardens, realizes the value of these 19th century greenhouses and gardens in time, because it's so very gorgeous. Have a look:
I wondered around the garden before and after my visit of the Molitor Rooftop garden while it was empty and sunny. A few gardeners were around taking care of more than 10.000 different tropical and subtropical plants. Some of which are ultra rare and almost extinct.
One of the most amazing elements of the garden is the Palmarium: it seems like the Palm tree is captured in the greenhouse:
The majestic palm tree is really tall, nearly 16 meters and grows up to the top of the dôme of the greenhouse:
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Carps in the pound:
A stunning Heliconia rostrata (also known as Hanging Lobster Claw or False Bird of Paradise). The "cup"-shape of the bright red flowers makes it an ideal place to bird to sip some fresh water!
The 19th century greenhouses designed by architect Jean Camille Formigé in the typical green blue color, are currently being painted again, which makes me hopeful as to the protection of the gardens.
Don't you just love the system of wooden shades:
They limit sunshine and heath in particular areas of the greenhouses.
The greenhouse on the left is almost empty, but the one on the right is open upon request. It houses the collection of cactus plants… which I didn't want to leave:
The cactus plants on the right don't have typical spines, but glochids: ultra fine hairs that easily detach from the plant and lodge in the skin, causing irritation upon contact. I found out the hard way last year when cutting one of these with my bare hands. Even a Tweezerman couldn't remove these minuscule hairs and it hurt for over a week… be very careful!
What's not to love:
Heart shaped leaves and prickles on this cactus plant:
One of the prettiest colors in botanics: this blueish grey minty green:
Super graphic shaped in these succulents I had never seen before:
Another greenhouse entirely dedicated to Monstera plants:
It's a jungle out there (it also makes me really sad to realize we HAD such a jungle in our greenhouse at home when we moved in… unfortunately the Montera plants didn't survive the first winter…)
Have you ever visited a tropical garden? How did you like it? I'll be in London next week and am considering visiting the famous Kew gardens. Even though it's not in the city center (like the Jardin des Serres d'Auteuil by the way, it's almost at the end of metroline 10), it may be worth the trip.
It's one of my dreams to someday travel the world and visit all the botanical and (sub) tropical gardens and make gardeners portraits. In a way, I already started this by visiting quite a few jungles. You can find some of my favorites right here.
Jardin botanique des Serres d'Auteuil /// 1 avenue Gordon-Bennett /// Paris 16e
m° Porte d'Auteuil, ligne 10 /// Open between 9:00 – 18:30 daily (and longer in summer)
Admission is free
What a wonderful green visit in my favorite city!! I hope you will share this article on our Urban Jungle Bloggers page:-)
Absolutely ;) Let's go here together some time soon! I think you would enjoy it too, Igor!
Oh so gorgeous. Your beautiful pictures make me want to book a plane tomorrow to head over there (I wish). Have a lovely week.
Ps: that captcha was made just for me
Oh now I wonder which one you got, Corinne! Thanks for the kind words. How are the botanical gardens in Madrid? Although you probably have palm trees on “every” corner ;)
Stunning photos! I'm looking through this blogpost over and over again, I love it. Visiting gardens and making gardners portraits sounds heavenly. Kew is also on my go-to list. And now this one as well. Some day… A girl can dream, right?
Exactly, a girl can dream… and make her dreams come true ;) Very happy you enjoyed the pictures. It's such an inspiring place, I left completely energized! Hope you'll get to go rather sooner than later!
beautiful and with french charm!
Thank you Anastasia! Yes, this place has such a nice 19th century French vibe :)
wonderful. I've been stuck indoors for too long. rain, rain, rain. your pics make me want to take my camera for a spin again too :)
You should, Petra! I'm sure you'll come back with something gorrrrrgeous ;) Hope you are well!
OMG!!! How beautiful is this.
Have the French gone completely mad? Can they not find another spot for a RG? And I'm a huge Tennis fan…..but really, it would be criminal!!!
Definitely a must place to visit. Thank you for sharing.
See you soon:-)
From what I understand they finally seem to keep things as they are for now. RG is so powerful, but I hope the city of Paris and its people will stay strong and protect jewels like this ;) See you soon, Tina!
Seriously the fact they are considering to turn this down just makes me sad and mad at how this world functions. I hope they don't, botanical garden are the best!!
Exactly! From what I understand they are not destroying anything… for now! I hope it stays this way! xx
Now we're talkin! What a beautiful persuasion to come back to Paris again…
A. Xx
hihi See you soon then, Anastasia! xx
Tropical ones are my favourite! I can't believe I missed this when I was in Paris, bookmarking for next time whenever I return. I love the photos Judith!
PS I edited my 400-so photos from my trip to Canada last weekend, totally know how painful that is! :(
Oh yes, you should definitely put this on your list for next time. Hopefully sooner than later! Thanks for the kind words, Helen. I really love editing photos, although it's so time consuming. Looking forward to seeing your shots from Canada!