Bonjour, mes amis! Today we revel in the sumptuous roses and iconic architecture of the Palais Royal in Paris, an oasis of calm and peacefulness away from the perpetual bustle of the city. From The Louvre, you cross rue de Rivoli and rue Saint-Honoré to Place Colette, home of the state theatre Comédie Française, and enter the Palace through a beautiful colonnaded portico.
Pass through the courtyard of the Cour d’Honneur with its black-and-white striped Buren columns and grey-and-white striped awnings, a motif that I love juxtaposed with the riot of random color and shape in the gardens, which extend beyond through the arcade flanking the courtyard.
Quiet instantly envelops you, and the carefully placed chairs and benches beckon, populated more by local Parisians than tourists.
Taking your seat, a bright sea of bloom greets you from every direction.
Not only roses, but white anemones, orange rudbeckia and all manner of summer flowers abound.
Wandering the dreamy abundance of the floral displays feels like walking through an Impressionist painting.
The gilded finials on the black gates of the arcades surrounding the gardens are another well-known feature. I love the contrast of the precise architectural symmetry with the exuberant wildness of the roses.
Double rows of clipped lime trees filter the light, adding a golden sparkle to the scene.
Hours can pass quickly, but as you reluctantly leave the gardens, returning toward Place Colette, stop by the delightful theatrically-themed gift shop for the Comédie Française, and then savor refreshment and people watching at the stylish Café le Nemours (I can recommend the warm chèvre salad and chocolate soufflé).
Palais Royal is a stunning retreat in which to recharge from a busy itinerary. Its proximity to major landmarks merely heightens its appeal – a welcome respite awaits mere steps from The Louvre.
Thank you so much for joining me! Á bientôt!
Love,
G
p. s.
(I’m very happy to be able to share these images from my trips last year. Currently, I understand the Palais is undergoing renovation and the views and photo ops are somewhat marred by scaffolding and construction.)
Becca says
So very beautiful!
Lisa Gordon says
Thank you so much for taking us on this beautiful journey, Georgianna! Such wonderful images.
Have a fantastic weekend! xo.
erin says
thanks for sharing, g! how abso-tootly beautiful and i just love how you have framed certain shots with stripes.
happy saturday!
erin
xxoo
Katy Noelle says
Not only does it look like a very beautiful place but it looks like it was a beautiful day. Peace exudes from your post! How lovely! =)
xo
Lavender Cottage says
Hi G
I look at the beautiful photos from your travels around the world and think of all the memories you have. Not only of the flowers but people and the food, as you have mentioned here and in other posts.
Thanks for sharing your memories with us.
Judith
Linda R says
I just love stopping in here to see your photos.. They are gorgeous…
Yvonne says
Wonderful photos!
I love Paris !!!!
Hugs
Yvonne
A Garden of Threads says
Hi G, These are stunning images and would love to visit there. All is well here, my grandson has turned one, where has the time gone!! Take care, Jen xo
Deanna@Snippets from Springdale says
Oh someday I hope to go and witness this myself…but in the meantime your images show me the beauty that I might see someday.
Stella says
Life got in the way and kept me from stopping by….sorry…But reading at looking at this gorgeous post is a wonderful way to relax and have some quality time for myself. I love your work; it’s stunning!
XX Stella
Rhônya Holman says
Hi Georgianna,
How are you?? It’s been a very long time… I’m back from Oahu; with new blog layout and some cool stuff that I will post weekly…
These photos are wonderful! Thank you so much for sharing.
Have a lovely week!
♥
Jane Anastasia says
Georgianna – you have such a wonderful eye. I love being taken through all these peeks of Paris and the gorgeous blooms. :)
Rajiv says
Awesome ! Thank you for your visit to my blogs and comment.
kirsty vittetoe says
Ahhhhh….. bring back sweet memories of Paris, I was just there in April, beautiful, beautiful share Georgianna!
Sylvia Cook says
Wow, a magical place! So many flowers spilling out all over. Love them all :)
Carolyn says
Dear Georgianna,
Beautiful photos of the Palais and the gorgeous gardens and must have been delightful walking around.
Do hope that you are enjoying the summer dear friend and have a wonderful week
hugs
Carolyn
Kia says
Dazzling! :)
I’ve always been to Paris in wintertime, I really must go when everything is in bloom next time. :D
*huggles*
janina says
I’ve just finished reading the wonderful Bob Spitz book, Dearie: The Remarkable Life of Julia Child, who absolutely loved France and particularly Paris, so this post fills my need for something French, thank you! Beautiful photos; love the grey/white striped framing. Wish I was there!
Daniela says
I do admire your photographs since lots of time and I want to post here my congratulations for your artistic works !!
Have a lovely day!!
Dany
Jessica Cangiano says
What an enchanting fairy tale beauty these gardens have! They’re regal and elegant, yet subtly, ever so slightly whimsical at the same time thanks to the joyful explosion of different coloured blooms. You’ve captured that very beauty and allure exquisitely in these stunning photographs, dearest Georgianna – and made long to dawn a princess-like gown and spend a relaxing summer’s day strolling through them.
♥ Jessica
Lisa RedWillow says
Hi my friend,
I think I could sit here for a day and look at these most striking images. Gorgeous. They really did take me away.
The fields of flowers are breath taking.
Much Love xoxo
Joy Hall says
I have always dreamed of going to Paris so I totally enjoyed your lovely photos!
Ritva from Finland says
Hi Georgianna…
I just love these photos… they are so stunning and make me feel so good.
Thank you for visiting my blog and thank you for your kind words!
Bumpkin says
So beautiful. the rose gardens at mottisfont were wonderful too, I have just put up my first post of the grounds and house and then next the roses! Catherine x
Mitzi Curi says
Such gorgeous images….I love the stripes framing some of them, too.
Zara says
Hi, dear Georgianna!
How are you? It’s been so long since our last talk! I missed!
Now, i think i could luckily arrange my time in the right way, and i am back for blogging and much missed communication!
Your photos are very lovely and romantic, as always! It’s really precious that you can travel and visit all the places so dear to your heart!
Jocelyne says
Lovely, so lovely Georgianna. A very beautiful post :)
Have a nice week !
Relyn says
Seeing all your lovely flowers made me think of this and long to tell you. Because, of course, I know you will understand. Jeffrey and Sloane got me a wonderful macro lens for my birthday. Woot! WOOT!!