Paris: New Itineraries for a Fresh View - Part I

Every Paris travel guide seems to havecuriosity which is sure to tickle the interest of our
something to add to the already voluminousplant-loving friends.In 1640 A.D., under the reign of
information available on such well-known spots asKing Louis the 14th (the same king who presided
the Louvre and Orsay museums, Notre Dameover the development of the Versailles Palace),
Cathedral, and the Eiffel Tower.Yet what aboutthe Royal Garden of Medicinal Herbs opened its
discovering the quaint neighborhoods of the 19thdoors 'to the general public and students'. The
century Paris? Or taking pictures of the inn builtproject had been green-lighted in 1626 by King
for the paupers by Nicholas Flamel in the 15thLouis the 13th.The Jardin des Plantes (Botanical
century (yes, that's the same Nicholas FlamelGardens), as it has been called since the French
written about in Harry Potter)?In my reckoning,revolution, is actually a collection of individual
there's a truly interesting way of discovering Paris,gardens -- each with a peculiar charm and specific
and that's to take the less traveled path. The oneplants. It houses several old structures, including
I take with my friends when we visit the Frenchthe Botanical School and the Magny Mansion (built
capital.So, let's assume you are as eager as wein 1650). The Botanical Gardens are a huge site
are to learn something new about Paris, and let'swith a total surface area of about 2,600,000
take a peek at just two of its less-well-knownsquare feet.Each of the individual gardens is unique
jewels. The next time you take the trip to Paris,and deserves your attention for each one is
you'll be the one leading the way!The Lutecehome to specific species of flowers, vegetables,
Arena, a return into timeBefore Paris becametrees, and medicinal plants. On the Botanical
Paris, the city was the capital of the territorySchool's plot alone some 4,500 plants are grown.
occupied by the Parisii, the Gallic tribe after whichThe Rose Garden (La Roseraie) counts some 170
Paris will take its name in the 4th century A.D.species of roses!Amongst these beauties, the
There is some controversy about the originalAlpine Garden stands out. Between the Otter
Celtic name of the city, but when the RomansBasin and the Cuvier alley (Cuvier was a famous
invaded it in 52 B.C. under Emperor Julius Caesar,French botanist), a 40,000 square foot parcel was
they called it Lutecia (or Lutetia).In the 2nddelineated in 1931 for the growing of a diversity
century A.D., the Romans built in its middle anof mountain plant species.Today, the gardeners of
amphitheater of about 25,000 square feet, whichthe Alpine Garden tend to the health of plants
could hold about 16,000 spectators. During thecoming from places as diverse as the United
next century, gladiator fights and other lessStates, China, Japan, the Balkans, Morocco, the
palatable games (e.g. offering early Christians forCaucasian mountains, Spain, and the Himalaya
lunch to beasts of prey) were held for the benefitMountains! A total of some 2,000 species to look
of the local Roman population.With the fall of theafter.Among the hallmarks of the Alpine Garden is
Roman Empire, such games became much lessits 18th century Pistachio tree. The Botanical
popular, and as Christianity became the StateGardens house several historical trees: the oldest
religion, man-eating events ceased to be heldone was directly imported from the Eastern
altogether.The arena was demolished during theUnited States and planted here in 1636 (an acacia).
barbarian invasions of 280 A.D., and the site laterAmong other ancient trees, you can also admire a
became a cemetery. In the late 12th century, theLebanese cedar, which was brought back to
ruins were buried under a large rampart built toFrance in 1734.A visit to the Botanical Gardens
defend Paris. They remained forgotten until 1869and its Alpine Gardens is a whole afternoon affair.
when they were unearthed to the greatestTen minutes into the place and its quietness will
surprise of all historians.At the time, the Citymake you oblivious of the hustle-bustle of the
Council decided Paris did not have the fundscity. You will come out of your stroll absolutely
necessary to excavate and preserve the antiqueravished, marveling at the job the gardeners do
discovery, and the development project whichto maintain this privileged environment in full
had dug out the ruins was green-lighted.Later on,bloom.How do you access this temple of Mother
in 1883, the site was repurchased and rehabilitatedNature? Take the subway to the 'Gare
under the guidance of French novelist Victor Hugod'Austerlitz' station. Walk to the Austerlitz Bridge
(author of 'Les Miserables'). A further rehabilitation(Pont d'Austerlitz) and you will find yourself on a
project began in 1916 which unearthed the sitesemi-circular plaza (Place Valhubert). The entrance
completely. Vicious attempts at taking over theto the Botanical Gardens is here. It is open every
site and destroying it by unashamed, greedy,day from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.And on
low-life real-estate developers were thwarted byHemingway's words, I leave you until Part II of
the local dwellers in 1980.How do you get to seethis series of "Paris: New Itineraries for a Fresh
this beautiful place which, to this day, still remainsView"."If you are lucky enough to have lived in
'stealthy'?Orient yourself on a map, take theParis as a young man, then wherever you go for
subway to the 'Monge' station, and walk to No. 47the rest of your life it stays with you, for Paris is
Rue Monge. Enter the hallway, walk along thea moveable feast." -- Ernest HemingwayHaving
corridor and there you are! Right on the sandyspent over 2 decades in Paris, Phil Chavanne has
ground of the arena where ghosts of ferociousbecome a specialist of the city. His free travel
lions still roam in search for a human prey!Aguide, Paris-Eiffel-Tower-News, provides you
guaranteed, amazing leap in the past, just shortvaluable tips and informations about Paris Hotels,
of 2,000 years ago!The Botanical Gardens andmonuments and sites, to help you prepare your
their Alpine GardenNow on to another amazingtrip to the French capital.