I took the train up to Paris last week to see some friends from the US. This was my second such trip this month. If you visit Europe, we will come find you.
I love Paris, but it can be overstimulating in a way that tires me out. My friends weren’t available until the afternoon, so I decided to spend some time outside the city at Parc de Sceaux.
I took an RER train down to Sceaux for my little sojourn. I accidentally got on one that didn’t stop directly in Sceaux, but it was a nice day so I didn’t mind a bit of a walk. It worked out well for me, because I was able to stop at a boulangerie for some picnic provisions. Restos here seem to love their “formules” (a meal deal/combo), so I grabbed a sandwich, a drink and a cookie.
One of the things I love about France is that they’ve converted the pleasure gardens of the richissimes into public spaces where everyone is free to hang out. Parc de Sceux is beautifully maintained. There are sculptures, fountains, flowers, and topiary. It has an entire section of cherry trees, but I missed the blossoms by a few days. I took a long stroll along the various paths and saw families walking together, joggers, picnicers, and even a photoshoot by one of the fountains. There are also designated areas for playing sports. You can rent boats to paddle around the canal. I also saw some folks fishing.
I sat down under a tree near the water and had my lunch. Buying a sandwich here usually means getting an entire baguette. I’d make a joke about how it’s funny that they make fun of Americans for their eating habits… but an entire baguette is still probably better for you than some of the lunches I’ve had back home.
It’s times like this that I wish I was better at sitting still. At least it was a beautiful locale to take a stroll around. I made a mental note to return next year to see the cherry blossoms (look, it’s a cliché for a reason). There were only a few faded blooms on the trees, but I could tell that it must be spectacular when they’re in full flower.
I didn’t feel like visiting the chateau (I was there for nature, not paintings), but I’m sure it’s lovely. The original was knocked down a few years after the Revolution and sold for its building materials. The current edition is relatively new, having been built in the 1800s.
According to my good friend Wikipedia, the park was saved by the local mayor in the early 1900s. He convinced the town to buy it and rehabilitate it. Otherwise, it would have been purchased and sub-divided by local property developers.
(See? France and the US aren’t so different after all).
I took the RER back into Paris to meet up with my friends, feeling refreshed (if a bit footsore). Versailles might be the big name destination for tourists who want to get out of the city… but Parc de Sceaux is definitely more peaceful!
