Hanami in Paris – part 2

Many years ago I drafted mine top 5 of parks and gardens to admire hanami Paris. But the French capital, you know, is a continuous surprise, able to dress in unique colors especially on the occasion of the ’autumn and spring. Thus new "places of the heart" emerge year after year, when you least expect it. And among these there can be no shortage of green and small spaces green lungs in which to enjoy the flowering of cherries in peace, perhaps away from the crowd and mass tourism.

3. Parc de Choisy

Few talk about it, but the park or square by Choisy is a small jewel of the quinois headquarters, in the 13th arrondissement. Opened in 1937, it has an area of 4.3 hectares. The land on which the Choisy park stands in the past hosted a factory, composed of numerous gazometers and in operation from 1836 to 1930. Today it is located in a quiet residential district, surrounded by Asian restaurants and a few steps from the busiest Place d’Italie.

In addition to beautiful cherries, the Choisy park is also noted for the presence of a Atlas blue cedar, native to North Africa. The cedar was planted in 1939 on the occasion of the fiftieth anniversary of the French Revolution. In front of it is a memorial stele of Cambodian genocide between 1975 and 1979. A visit to Choisy Park allows not only to live a hanami in Paris simple and original, but above all pay homage to the liberté and the Asian population that animates the neighborhood.

It is located at 128, avenue de Choisy, metro stop 7 "Tolbiac" or bus 64 "Parc de Choisy".

2. Jardin du Ranelagh

Perfect forhanami is the Jardin du Ranelagh of the 16th arrondissement Paris. This name will probably be new to you too. But Ranelagh has nothing to envy other green spaces, such as Tuileries or Jardin de Luxembourg.

Originally from 1860 and 6 hectares wide, it is an English garden designed by the engineer Alphand, who during the Haussmanian era was one of the main designers of parks, gardens and wooded spaces in Paris. It takes its name from diplomat and politician Richard Jones, 1st Earl of Ranelagh, but above all from the famous Ranelagh Ball, begun almost a century earlier in the nearby Château de la Muette.

The cherry blossoms are not the only attraction of the Ranelagh: it houses a famous puppet theatre, an open-air gallery composed of 5 sculptures and several other types of trees. Being surrounded by embassies and international institutions, it is often attended by graduates and also, unlike most green spaces, is open 24 hours du 24.

You can access it from the stop "La Muette" or "Ranelagh" on metro 9, at number 1 of avenue Prudhon.

1. Parc de Bagatelle

Very famous for roses (presents over 1000 plants and 200 cultivar), on parc de Bagatelle is part of the immense Bois de Boulogne and, during the spring, obviously also stands out for hanami. In Paris today it is one of the most important botanical gardens, while in the past it was thought and purchased by Queen Marie Antoinette for a figure called her "irrisory". Not by chance. bagatelle It means "bazzecola" in French!

Like the Ranelagh, it is an elegant park and is located in the 16th arrondissement, stop "Porte de Neuilly" metro 1. Personally, it is one of the most beautiful corners of nature I have ever seen in Paris and its surroundings. That's why I can't help you!

Which of these "cherry paradises" has interested you the most? I wait for your impressions in the comments, hoping to visit Paris as soon as possible during the season of ’Hanami.