28-30Oct22 Fri-Sun
Bonsai Culture Xpo, Parc Floral, 12 Eme Arrondissement, Paris, France.
30Oct22 Sun.
At the end of October I decided that I need a break before the dark and wet day of November.
I decided to go on a long weekend to Paris, see old friends and have some good food and good wine.
The weather was nice, warm and clear blue skies.
Paris was different from the last time I visited, about 4 years ago. One thing in particular was the reduction in cars. Paris municipality made it ‘unpleasant’ to drive. Many streets were one way, others were pedestrianised. Parking hard to find and expensive. Public transport, however, inexpensive, 10 tickets for the metro or the bus cost £1.4 anywhere in Paris.
Bonsai Culture Xpo, Parc Floral, 12 Eme Arrondissement, Paris, France.
30Oct22 Sun.
At the end of October I decided that I need a break before the dark and wet day of November.
I decided to go on a long weekend to Paris, see old friends and have some good food and good wine.
The weather was nice, warm and clear blue skies.
Paris was different from the last time I visited, about 4 years ago. One thing in particular was the reduction in cars. Paris municipality made it ‘unpleasant’ to drive. Many streets were one way, others were pedestrianised. Parking hard to find and expensive. Public transport, however, inexpensive, 10 tickets for the metro or the bus cost £1.4 anywhere in Paris.
|
|
|
The Parc floral de Paris is a public park and botanical garden located within the Bois de Vincennes in the 12th arrondissement of Paris. Created in 1969, It is one of four botanical gardens in Paris, and is the site of major annual flower shows. The nearest metro station to the park is Chateau-de-Vincennes.
The park occupies 31 hectares, making it the fourth-largest park in Paris, after the Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes (of which it forms a considerable part) and Parc de la Villette (35 hectares), but larger than the Tuileries gardens. Like other city parks of the 1960s and 1970s, the Parc Floral was seen as a form of amusement park, as well as a botanical garden. It features the Delta, a large outdoor concert stage; a restaurant and a cafe; large and small exhibit halls; an art gallery; a large playground, and a miniature railway. It also has a number of modern works of sculpture by Alexander Calder, Alicia Penalba and other artists, placed in different gardens around the park.
The park can be entered either from the Château de Vincennes, or from the Route de la Pyramide. Visitors entering from the Chateau de Vincennes pass through a forest of cedars and oaks to arrive at the central element of the composition, the Vallée des Fleurs, or Valley of Flowers. The varieties of flowers in the Valley of flowers are changed each year, according to a chosen theme. The Valley borders a lake, the Miroir d'eau, or water mirror, which is placed near the center of the park, with a modern fountain and series of cascades on one side. There are smaller ponds devoted to lily pads, lotus, and other aquatic plants. The large outdoor concert stage, the Delta, faces and dominates the lake.
Smaller flower gardens are scattered throughout the park; there is a garden to show varieties of the azalea; a large garden showcasing the rhododendron; a garden of ferns; gardens for irises and dahlias; a garden and pavilion for medicinal plants and culinary herbs; a garden for varieties of cactus; a garden of plants from the Mediterranean regions; and a large pavilion for displaying Japanese bonsai plants. There is also one garden, the jardin des QuatresSaisons (Garden of the seasons) where flowers are in bloom year-round.
For further information visit https:// www.parcfloraldeparis.com/
The bonsai show, its second year, was in an enclosed area, entry was €7, by the permanent bonsai display to around 100 trees.
The park occupies 31 hectares, making it the fourth-largest park in Paris, after the Bois de Boulogne, Bois de Vincennes (of which it forms a considerable part) and Parc de la Villette (35 hectares), but larger than the Tuileries gardens. Like other city parks of the 1960s and 1970s, the Parc Floral was seen as a form of amusement park, as well as a botanical garden. It features the Delta, a large outdoor concert stage; a restaurant and a cafe; large and small exhibit halls; an art gallery; a large playground, and a miniature railway. It also has a number of modern works of sculpture by Alexander Calder, Alicia Penalba and other artists, placed in different gardens around the park.
The park can be entered either from the Château de Vincennes, or from the Route de la Pyramide. Visitors entering from the Chateau de Vincennes pass through a forest of cedars and oaks to arrive at the central element of the composition, the Vallée des Fleurs, or Valley of Flowers. The varieties of flowers in the Valley of flowers are changed each year, according to a chosen theme. The Valley borders a lake, the Miroir d'eau, or water mirror, which is placed near the center of the park, with a modern fountain and series of cascades on one side. There are smaller ponds devoted to lily pads, lotus, and other aquatic plants. The large outdoor concert stage, the Delta, faces and dominates the lake.
Smaller flower gardens are scattered throughout the park; there is a garden to show varieties of the azalea; a large garden showcasing the rhododendron; a garden of ferns; gardens for irises and dahlias; a garden and pavilion for medicinal plants and culinary herbs; a garden for varieties of cactus; a garden of plants from the Mediterranean regions; and a large pavilion for displaying Japanese bonsai plants. There is also one garden, the jardin des QuatresSaisons (Garden of the seasons) where flowers are in bloom year-round.
For further information visit https:// www.parcfloraldeparis.com/
The bonsai show, its second year, was in an enclosed area, entry was €7, by the permanent bonsai display to around 100 trees.
|
|
|
|
|
Views of the permanent bonsai displays
|
|
|
|
|
|
Views of the show bonsai displays
According to the organiser the had around 2000 visitor over the tree days. Looking at the visitors when I was there the majority were not bonsai people and there were many families enjoying Sunday in the park and visiting the show.
There were stands spread in buildings and gazebos with some traders selling trees, accessories and pots.
There were stands spread in buildings and gazebos with some traders selling trees, accessories and pots.
|
|
|
Some traders in and around the show area
|
|
|
After looking at the show and watching some demonstrations, in true French style, I had lunch in the open air restaurant with Pierre and Michele Corbihan the editor of Esprit Bonsai
After lunch I spent time at the suiseki stand which was maned by Pierre and Sami Amdouni who is also a great bonsai artist and potter, and we plan to spend time looking for stones in the spring/summer of 2023.
All in all, a very enjoyable day with like minded people.
Amnon Paldi
Chiltern Bonsai Society
After lunch I spent time at the suiseki stand which was maned by Pierre and Sami Amdouni who is also a great bonsai artist and potter, and we plan to spend time looking for stones in the spring/summer of 2023.
All in all, a very enjoyable day with like minded people.
Amnon Paldi
Chiltern Bonsai Society