We recently talked to you about Parc de Bagatelle, where nature claimed its rights. Today, it’s the home of one of the marvels in the Parisian west: la Roseraie de Bagatelle (or Bagatelle’s Rose Garden).

A century old rose garden
A work from the French landscape architect Jean-Claude-Nicolas Forestier (1861-1930), Bagatelle’s Rose Garden opened in 1907. At the time, he was the “Parks and gardens from the City of Paris“ curator, in the role of city planner. Afterwards, this place became one of the most reputable and well-known rose gardens in the world. It shelters 1 100 types of roses.

An international competition
Every year in June, the international competition of new roses is organized, dedicated to new types of rose bushes. In 1983, a second rose garden was built in the north part of Parc de Bagatelle, designated for landscape rose bushes. Another competition takes place for that matter in order to reward these rustic rose bushes.

Roseraie de Bagatelle / Parc de Bagatelle
42, route de Sèvres à Neuilly
75016 Paris
France

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Louis XV, who was a true botanical enthusiast, had launched the construction of the Jardin des Serres d’Auteuil, located at the edge of the Bois de Boulogne. Inaugurated at the end of the 19th century, these exotic greenhouses complex settled in the heart of Paris, bring your mind far away. Today, more than 260 trees, bushes and plant collections came from all around the world – as the Gingko Biloba, the Wutong an the Katsura tree – are housed in these botanical gardens. Some varieties are very rares, as the pandanus of Madagascar (fragile little blue flowers, which smell vanilla) the cycas, and the Paper Bark Tea Tree, came from New Caledonia. But the Serres d’Auteuil don’t host plants only, in the central pond we can see rare varieties of fish living and the aviary welcomes beautiful exotic birds as the Weiro and the Zebra Finch. Spend a sunny afternoon here, and you’ll feel like thousand miles away!

Greenhouses are open all year long from 9am to 4.45pm.
The Garden is open from 9am until the sunset. Free entrance.

Photo Credit: Mairie de Paris – G. Maroussie

Les Serres d’Auteuil
1 bis, avenue de la porte d’Auteuil et 1, avenue Gordon Bennett
75016 Paris
T.: +33 (0)1 71 28 50 82

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Now we’ve talked about the sporty aspect of the Bois de Boulogne, we’ve decided to devote a couple of lines to the natural beauty of this place. Spread over 845 hectares, the Nature reasserts itself and invites everybody for a magic stroll in the parc de Bagatelle, the Mare Saint-James, or in the bird reserve.

Photo Credit: Mairie de Paris – DEVE

Parc de Bagatelle
You can’t miss the Parc de Bagatelle and its bridges, rocks, caves and artificial waterfalls, so romantic! Ot to mention the majestic trees which lives there for centuries as the Monkey-puzzle Tree (140 years old) and the Weeping Beech Tree (150 years old). Its leaves caress slowly the Bassin des Nymphéas where a gorgeous pagoda dating from 19th century, stands.

Photo Credit: Flickr – Gabrilu

Lakes, Streams and Gardens
The Bois de Boulogne houses a lot of lakes and streams. Of course the Lac Inférieur, the largest of the wood, comes immediately to mind, followed by the prestigious Grande Cascade, and the Mare Saint-James, animals use its two island a refuge. A little bit further, you’ll find the Ruisseau Longchamp, which cross the Jardin Pré-Catelan. Right after, you could walk in the Jardin Shakespeare, composed of little gardens inspired by his famous plays.

Photo Credit: Bernard Frippiat

Birds Reserves
A lot of rare varieties are welcomed n this reserve as the Common Whitethroat, Eurasian Bullfinch. Visitors can admire them from the two observatories. The glasshouse d’Auteuil has been settled in the heart of a meadow, with a lovely pond. The Bois de Boulogne is a true country standing at the doorstep of a megalopolis where pollution is ever-present! A true breath of fresh air!

Photo Credit: R. Dumoulin

Bois de Boulogne
75116 Paris
France

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While Spring has just started, the Bois de Boulogne seems to be the perfect place to spend a relax afternoon. Located at the Southwest edge of Paris, it attracts many energetic Parisians who love running between its cute paths. Horse shows fans are glad to meet at the mythical racetracks housed in the wood too. Our blog dedicates a couple of articles to this multifaceted green space.

Photo Credit: Club des gentlemen-riders

Paths
In the center of the 846-hectares wood, a 2500-meters circuit has been built for joggers especially. Divided in 19 steps it starts at the “Carrefour des 5 routes”. Furthermore, 14 km are reserved to hiking and bicycle rides, not to mention the 28 km reserved to pony-trekking. Grab your saddle!

Photo Credit: Urban Challenge

Racetracks
The Hippodrome d’Auteuil is a benchmark in our capital, it’s considered as the Temple of fence races in France. Inaugurated in 1873, it’s well-known for the Grand Steeple-Chase de Paris, the flagship race which takes place every year in May. On the other side of the wood, one of the most beautiful racetrack of the world is hidden, the Hippodrome de Longchamp. Since 1857, it welcomes  the most prestigious races of purebred horses, as the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. A nice occasion to try the panoramic restaurant open for every race.

Photo Credit: Blog Idées de Parents

Bois de Boulogne
75116 Paris

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When your toddlers are participating to a gardening atelier in the heart of the Bois de Boulogne, you can enjoy a gastronomic break at the restaurant La Grande Verrière. In addition to its wonderful terrace, the establishment can be proud of its cuisine, managed by Chef Christian Le Squer: Carrots remoulade with orange, Fish spring rolls or Pastilla poultry. The bucolic spirit of the garden is everywhere, from dishes to furniture, with modules of green wood in shape of plants hanging to the pillars, giving the impression to have lunch in a greenhouse. It is the work of the designer Christian Ghion who thought the decoration of the place in soft colors 100% zen.

Open everyday from 10 am to 7 pm (6 pm during winter). Open evening only on reservation.
Menu €35 (starter + main course + dessert)

Jardin d’Acclimatation – Restaurant La Grande Verrière
Bois de Boulogne
75116 Paris
France
T. : +33.(0)1.45.02.09.32

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