Vivian Swift Gardens of Awe and Folly - Jardins d'Orient - Institute du Monde Arabe

I was told to avoid greens like the plague. It is one of the hardest colors to paint with. 

Vivian Swift has filled her new garden book only with greens.

Gardens of Awe and Folly focuses on 9 gardens worldwide including Long Island.

I never visited the lovely Square du Vert-Galant featured in Vivian Swift's book till today. It's hidden on the very tip of the isle de Cité in the middle of the Seine.

You can get there via Metro 9 Pont Neuf. You can also catch the Bateaux Vedettes du Pont Neuf  there and cruise up and down the Seine. A must-do at least once in your life. Check.

I brought along Vivian’s exquisite garden book.

In New York they would call this quiet corner garden a 'pocket park'. Paris has at least 600+ parks and I have the app to prove it, PARK LIFE. Every new Paris mayor feels duty-bound to create more parks. Jacques Chirac took old forgotten parks, refurbished them and renamed them, like my favorite, Square Marie Trintignant. Past Mayor Delanoë created 79 acres of new green spaces. We can thank current mayor Anne Hidaldo for removing the wretched 'love locks' on Paris bridges which may be equal to creating 100 new parks for the peace of mind it gives us.

Speaking of peace of mind, this morning I read in the NYTimes, 'How walking in nature changes the brain'. "A walk in the park may soothe the mind and, in the process, change the workings of our brains in ways that improve our mental health...etc., etc." If you can't get out to stroll in nature in L.I., Rio, Edinburgh, London, Key West etc. try Vivian's Garden book. It should have almost the same effect.

Today is the first day of Institute du Monde Arabe's spectacular new exhibit (both indoors and out).

JARDINS D'ORIENT de l'Alambra au Taj Mahal will be the hot ticket this summer in my opinion. If you're a mad gardener head here, not the Louvre. Even if you're not a garden nut, you'll be endlessly delighted.

The two floor indoor exhibit are infused with bird song

Plus bird designs incorporated into rugs, fabrics, Persian and Indian miniatures.

The background sound of trickling water fountains will give the little brain cells a nice rest too.

'Oriental gardens have rigorously straight and geometric lines

Shaped by water - the canals that convey the water and the large basins that serve as reservoirs.

The tradition dates back to Achaemenian Persia (c.600-530 BCE)'.

'Water is the core element in an Oriental garden...water is allowed to flow naturally and quietly; the trickling water enhances the garden's relaxed atmosphere'. I feel relaxed already just reading that.

'Certain plants are emblematic of Oriental gardens: citrus, cypress, vines, roses...a garden must stimulate all the senses'. I'm quoting from excellent wall plaques, happily in English plus French. Hooray. And they are NOT placed at toe-level so you don't have to squat to read them (like at some French fashion exhibits...Grrrr).

Shall we venture outside to the real gardens? The bookstore on the ground level has perfect Oriental gifts if you're so inclined.

Fabulous gardens outside were designed by Michel Péna, somewhat like a flat desert environment.

I recommend getting a light lunch available at the kiosk

Relax, stretch back in lounge chairs provided. "Luxe, calm, volupte" Only a peacock is missing.

Here's a peek at a hidden garden (18th c) behind my house. Private garden tours actually come in to see this. And here's a lovely green: pistachio ice cream I ate in the JARDINS D'ORIENTS garden.