Jardin des Combattants de la Nueve

Jardin des Combattants de la Nueve (Garden of the Fighters of Nueve) was another little pocket garden I discovered during our visit to Paris in January. Like London (which we visited in 2012), Paris has a wealth of small gardens tucked in here and there. The difference between the London gardens and those I happened upon in Paris was the small detail of language. I could easily read the signs in London. In Paris I had to guess about the purpose or history of the garden (only knowing every third or fourth word).

So I appreciated this garden for what it was, knowing I would be able to research it later. The best website I found with details was Secrets of Paris, and the post titled Smoke-Free Garden Oasis in Central Paris.

"The Jardin de l'Hôtel de Ville, renamed Jardin des Combattants de la Nueve...honor(s) the Spanish Catalan combattants who were the first liberation troops to arrive at the Hôtel de Ville in August 1944, were once right outside the mayor's private apartments at the City Hall. Under former Mayor Delanoë these private quarters were replaced with a daycare and nursery school. But since the gardens aren't used on weekends and holidays when the kids aren't there, the current mayor Anne Hidalgo decided in January to allow the public access on those days."

Halte-garderie = day nursery

This interesting little structure appears to be a sort of greenhouse/potting shed.

With tender plants lined up against one side.

The Canna (?) looked almost fake.

And now I laugh about this container full of cigarette butts, given the fact the blog I linked to above raved about this being a "smoke free oasis"...
Inside the structure were all sorts of happy plants.
Is that a (sad) Magnolia macrophylla?

The stately building to the garden's side (the Mayor's quarters/daycare/nursery school) had these fabulous suspended staircases leading up to the doors.

And a gnarly old Wisteria vine working it's way around the wrought iron railing.

Nearby was this interesting bamboo/glass mash up.

It looked remarkably healthy for being pressed up against glass.

The sun even made an appearance during my visit!
Oleander? Maybe?

This being Paris there were commemorative statues.

But there were also raised beds.
And chicken coups...
With chickens!

Weather Diary, April 4: Hi 60, Low 46/ Precip .02"

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