Bonjour, my friends! I do hope this finds you and your families very safe and well. As a little escape for you, I’m going to take you on an autumn tour of one of my favorite gardens in Paris, Jardin du Luxembourg.
We begin in early October, when the trees are transitioning to russet and gold, creating a striking background for the famous urns, still filled at that time with the pink geraniums and calibrachoa of summer (above and below).
The skies are also morphing, with the first slightly ominous clouds and the lowering sun illuminating the Sénat (Senate Building) with a gentler light than during the hotter months.
Come November 1st, the urns have been redressed in their fall attire of yellow, copper and orange (below). Personally, the color orange has no appeal to my sensitivities but the French absolutely love it, as can be seen here and in the branding of many luxury products, such as À La Mère de Famille and Hermes.
The romanic Medici Fountain is a peaceful spot to enjoy the colorful splendor as the leaves drift down to speckle the fountain’s pool with a layer of floating golden coins, among which ducks are often seen paddling in contentment. Here you can pull up a classic green chair and contemplate the beauty and serenity of this secluded corner. The fountain was build in 1630 in the form of an Italian grotto, by Marie de’ Medici, and has been restored several times in its long history.
I love the manner in which the fallen leaves build up in picturesque drifts around the balustrades and artistic benches in the garden. But let’s arrive early to catch sight of them, as the gardeners are scrupulous about routinely sweeping them up at midday. For all its glorious display of autumn’s random array, the primary motif of the garden remains order and harmony.
Scattered throughout the grounds are over one hundred statues, monuments and fountains, including exquisite figures on pedestals depicting French queens and other notable women.
When the inevitable gray skies of the waning year envelope the landscape, and threaten to dampen one’s mood, the bold bursts of bright hues at Luxembourg offer an emotional lift and a flourish of drama, providing yet another reason to fall hopelessly in love with this wondrous city.
I hope you’ve enjoyed the tour and that it’s fueled your imagination to envision your own walk through this brilliant autumn wonderland.
Until next time! À bientôt!
With love,
Yes I did, thank you and it did, thank you!!:-)) Can’t wait. Lovely photos of one of Paris’s finest!
Merci, David!
As always I enjoyed it so much! This is so incredibly beautiful!!! I like the orange color sometimes, specially in Autumn blending with the other colors! And I’m pretty sure all the beauty of your photos causes a pleasant reaction in our brains. 😍
Hello, Caroline! That’s so lovely to hear. I do hope so! And soft orange can be lovely, in this autumn context. Wishing you a wonderful month. My best, G
Thank you for this glimpse of Paris In the fall. Orange is a no go for me too unless it’s a pumpkin or a zinnia!
Hi Melanie, Thank you! I’m glad you enjoyed seeing Paris in the autumn. Pumpkins are always welcome! x G
Yes, I enjoyed the tour. It’s the only way I will ever see this beautiful landscape. Thank you. I love orange in the Fall.
Hello, Nancy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it. It’s my pleasure to share these wonderful places with everyone. And yes, orange is appropriate in the autumn! My best, G
So beautiful… one day I will fulfill my dream to travel to Paris and visit this garden. Until then I will live vicariously through your lens and enjoy your photographs!
Hi Cheryl and thanks so much. I do hope you visit this wonderful garden one day! G
Stunning autumn colours! It must be heaven to walk under those trees in this time of the year!
Thank you, Ingeborg! It really is spectacular! xx G
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing ❤️
Thank you, Patty! I’m so happy that you enjoyed it. All my best, Georgianna
Lovely tour thank you. I have only been in April and May, so autumn was interesting to see.
Hello, Rosey, and thank you so much! I’m really delighted that you enjoyed the tour. April and May are my favorite times in Paris but autumn is incredible also. And the weather is usually lovely. Wishing you a great weekend! My best, Georgianna
Thank you Georgianna! so lovely to see Paris any time of year! especially with your beautiful photos. Can’t wait to be in Paris again.
Hello, Susan! So wonderful to hear from you! I hope you are very well. Paris is especially lovely in autumn, isn’t it? And yes, can’t wait until we can all meet again. Wishing you a beautiful weekend. xx Georgianna
Thank you so much, it’s so beautiful. Love Paris.
Thank you, Rima! I’m so happy you enjoyed the tour. My best, Georgianna
I loved your tour Georgianna, Can you believe I have never taken the time to have a proper look around these gardens when I have visited Paris! Your tour has made me rethink that, and if I am ever fortunate enough to be able to visit there again I will definitely do so.
I’m so glad you enjoyed the tour, Julie! And yes, this garden is a must. And I’m sure you’ll visit again as you have the determination to do so! xx G
I just love this blog post. The Luxembourg Gardens are my favorite and I’ve never been in Paris in the autumn to enjoy it. Thank you for letting me armchair travel through your photos. Shared it with teen daughter who is a poet and she enjoyed your descriptive words as much as I did.
Thank you so much, Linda! I’m very pleased that you enjoyed the post. And thank you so much for sharing with your daughter. Wonderful to hear that she is a poet and loves words, too. Wishing you both a wonderful week ahead. My best, Georgianna
So enjoyed revisiting this garden that I so enjoy visiting in person!! Thank you!
Merci beaucoup! I just visited Paris (and Burgundy, Provence and Switzerland) for 3 weeks in September so missed the turning of the leaves. Love all the gorgeous warm tones and dappled sunlight in your photos. Thank you so much for sharing these beautiful captures of my favorite city.
Bonjour and merci for the happy memories of being in the gardens just two weeks ago… it was a beautiful day and the gardens were lovely… I look forward to returning to Paris again next year..
More beauty shared from your artistic soul.