Sunday, July 16, 2006

Good Things About France No. 7: The Bagatelle Rose Gardens



Many visitors to France are aware of the famous Chateau de Versailles gardens which are built on a grandiose scale and the smaller and more intimate water gardens of the painter Monet at Giverney. Perhaps less visitors are aware of the Bagatelle Rose Gardens which is part of the large expanse of parks and forest which make up the Bois de Boulogne situated to the west side of Paris and easily accessible by metro.

It is a fairly formal garden with a fabulous array of different roses whose overwhelming scents fill the summer air. The best time to visit is probably in June when the gardens have an annual International Rose Competition judged by the public.

There is a smart outdoor cafe just next to the garden where you can top up your radiator with Perrier water and if you still have energy left there is the Jardin d’Acclimatation next door which is the perfect outdoor amusement park for young children.

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