It’s getting warm in Paris, after a winter that seemed grayer and colder than usual (with apologies to those experiencing blizzards, flash floods and the like in the U.S.).
I love walking around the parks and seeing preparations for the blooming season.
Every time I see a worker in the park, I’m struck by the apparent seriousness with which they approach their task. Surely those who are selected for garden jobs really love plants and trees. Except for cigarette breaks, I’ve never seen anyone loafing or wasting time with colleagues.
In fact, I find French employees in general take their work seriously. This may sound odd given the continuing wave of strikes and demonstrations protesting the government’s plan to extend the full retirement age to 64 from 62. But it’s consistent: You work when you work, you play when you play.
In the Parc Monceau, the team has mounted a special nature display in tribute to the region of Aubrac, which produces a lot of beef. Those are fake cows above and to the left of the sign.
The grass in the Parc Monceau is taking its annual rest until April 15. Is that the same as vacation? It’s true that in warm periods this field is filled with grass-stomping picnickers and children playing.
In the skinny park that runs along the Boulevard Pereire, the sign explains that park employees supervise local children as they maintain a vegetable garden that’s all theirs.
The Square Batignolles as well is filled with evidence of the work it takes to restart each garden in spring.
Not that wild flowers and shrubbery aren’t beautiful as well. This is in the ravine formed by the old train line that encircled the city, called the Petite Ceinture. Numerous parts of it have been turned into walking paths.
And spontaneity adds a nice touch to every park. These aquatic civil servants are enjoying the Parc Martin-Luther-King, one of my favorite parks in Paris.
Soon all the flowers will bloom, the leaves will pop out on the trees and the tourists will come. I’m enjoying the moment.
Information on gardens, parks and green spaces in Paris can be found here, here, here and many other places.
I’m ready for spring!
Beautiful, hopeful photos! Yes, Anne, I’ve noticed that too about French workers. Whatever their job, they seem to decide they will be the very best at it! And I meant to mention an old movie pertaining to your previous story— Le Placard, about a middle manager about to be fired, who pretends to be gay in order to be protected by sexual discrimination laws. Hilarious with Daniel Auteuil and Depardieu. Sort of ties in to the French sense of entitlement to retire with full benefits, but only when they are ready.
Thanks, Ginger! And yes, Le Placard sounds perfect, I’ll add it to the list!
Nice article. I haven’t learned to appreciate the MLK park yet, though.