This is the
fifth time I talk about the “Parc de Bagatelle” in the outskirts of the “Bois
de Boulogne”, so I’m not going to once more refer to the history of the place. (See
previous posts here, here, here and here.) The park may be particularly known
for its rose garden, but when I went few days ago, the rose bushes were
tired… or perhaps preparing a last blossoming. There is an annual “rose contest”
- also this year’s winner was taking a rest… but there were of course some
flowers on other bushes.
Just as a
reminder, here is a photo from a previous post with some more roses.
The
gardeners were quite busy.
Some other
views of the little castle, which was built in two months after a bet between
Marie-Antoinette and her husband’s brother, the future Charles X…
… the
gardens…
… the
peacocks (they are all over)…
… and some
other birds. They all walk (swim and fly) around freely in the park.
One special
mention for this tree, planted here in 1907 (the park had become public in
1905), which I wanted to photograph on
behalf of a Chilean who is preparing a book about this very special species with
origins on the Chilean Andes slopes, but today under threat of disappearing there.
It is the “national tree” of Chile. Its Latin name is “Aracuaria aracuana”. It was later planted in Europe with better success. There are no monkeys in
the Chilean Andes, but because of its very hard trunk, lack of lower branches
and sharp-edged leaves it became in Europe referred to as the “Monkey Puzzle” (“Désespoir
des Singes”…). I once photographed (see here) another little Paris “Aracuaria
aracuana”, planted 100 years later – in 2007 in presence of the Paris Mayor and
a former Chilean Minister – and to be found in a little square, split in two,
with the names “Santiago-di-Chile” and “Salvador Allende”.
I already referred to the buildings in my previous post. 
The castle and the close by pavilion are today used for exhibitions and concerts. An annual Chopin festival is organised. At the moment, there is a “crystal exhibition”, not only indoors, but some palm trees, some ponds... have also been decorated by Baccarat, Daum, Lalique and Saint-Louis. 
The old stables and service buildings are today transformed to a restaurant and bar.
There are plenty of peacocks all over the park. I insisted, but none of the males wanted to make a “show” with their dorsal plumage.
Originally a hunting lodge, the property was bought by the brother of Louis XVI, the Comte d’Artois, in 1777 and he had a small castle built here - in 63 days, after a wager with the Queen Marie-Antoinette. It’s still there, survived the Revolutions!
The time when the park is mostly visited is early summer; there is a fantastic rosary with today some 9000 plants (see top picture), then in full bloom. An international competition of the nicest rose plant takes place every June. But, as we know, the autumn is here (my visit took place last week). 
... however, so is the rose garden (I repeat, see also top picture) ... and some roses still insisted. 
I believe the park is worth at least a second post. I will thus continue on Friday.
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