On the bustling rue des Francs Bourgeois, the main shopping and commerce street of the Marais, lies a hidden garden.
Last week I was holed up in my apartment writing blog posts and returning emails, practically chained to my computer (I sometimes call the computer the modern day coal mine) for most of the morning and afternoon and decided I needed a break. It was too nice outside to not take advantage of the sunny, warm weather.
I had recently read about the Francs-Bourgeois/Rosiers Gardens and was curious to check it out. The Maison de l’Europe de Paris, at 35 rue des Francs Bourgeois, is the former Hotel de Coulanges, a private mansion where Philip II of Coulanges resided in 1640.
You must enter the courtyard first, then walk through the lobby of the building to get to the garden. There’s just a small sign indicating the garden. A sprawling green lawn in the center had cute wooden carved dogs and ducks surrounded by high walls and apartment buildings. The garden has mostly trees and foliage with a sprinkle of flowers.
A child playing with her nanny, a group of young men hanging out, a father practicing soccer with his little boy, and a pair of lovers picnicking were all escaping the heat and noise of the city in this shaded, serene paradise.
Francs-Bourgeois/Rosiers Gardens
Maison de l’Europe
35 rue des Francs Bourgeois, 75004-Open 2PM to 7PM daily
Metro: St. Paul
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour
New! Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
New Eye Prefer Paris Photos for Sale
I am happy to announce the sale of a new set of prints of my Eye Prefer Paris Photos. I am offering 20 of my most popular and iconic images for sale including my doors, architectural details, statues, and monuments. They will make great gifts for all your Francophile friends, relatives, and colleagues but don't forget to buy some for yourself.
Click here to see photos and for full details including sizes, prices, and shipping. Here is a sample of some of the photos.
I love that little hidden garden! I just assumed that you knew it, too! I stayed on the rue des Francs-Bougeois a couple of years ago and found it when I was out wandering.
Posted by: Cheryl | July 22, 2013 at 09:21 PM