I missed International Cat day by a month on August 8.
Celebrating cats should be an everyday event.
Yesterday I visited the Menagerie de Jardins des Plantes for the first time though it’s close to my house. Home to 500 residents (in French they are called pensionnaires!).
It is one of the oldest zoos in Europe, opened in 1794 after the French Revolution as a place for scientific study.
A print of a 19th century London zoo with attendees running in fear of escaped kangaroos. Too whimsical not to include non?
Les artistes animalistes flocked to draw and study at the Menagerie.
Delacroix was probably among them, though he did many preparatory drawings from domestic cats.
Its easy to wander aimlessly. Finally a sign said les Fauverie
The big cats were in the back.
They were renovating the dens. Evidently big cats 🐆 enjoy batting a ball of ‘yarn’ as much as any pet kitten.
I had to ask the staff,”Well where are the cats?” Grrrr I couldn’t see a thing. Were they still on vacance like most Parisians? She pointed.
The leopard was well camouflaged. Rather aloof.
Fortunately the snow panther was more sociable.
What a beauty. Breathtaking. Forget Mona Lisa and Vermeer’s ‘Girl with a pearl’.
To see these living, breathing mysterious creatures is life-changing. It’s incomprehensible how they’ve been diminished because of their fur. *Larger animals like elephants 🐘 lions 🦁 & gorillas 🦍 are no longer kept captive in the Paris menagerie. Nor are new animals bought or sold. They are exchanged with other European zoos.
What to wear? Animal prints of course.
Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast.
Tomorrow I am off to Alsace for a weekend of serious jam research 🔍 tbc.
The snow leopard is incredible. Thank you Carol
ReplyDeleteAh yes, I want to go back !
DeleteIt puts the little things we worry about in perspective. So much more to life.
Xxx🐆❤️
I love that snow leopard - tres chic.
ReplyDeleteSimply exquisite Suki
DeleteBreathtakingly beautiful are those leopards. Many. many times I've walked in Jardin des Plants but never visited the zoo. Maybe next time.
ReplyDeleteIt’s crazy isn’t it. me too. Making the menagerie rather quiet unlike the rest of the Parc.
DeleteI love to visit a zoo. The snow panther is very regal. Do enjoy your jam hunting! 🗼❤️
ReplyDeleteI have only walked through the menagerie at night as part of the JdP’s holiday illuminations. Interesting to see what is lurking in those dark corners!
ReplyDeleteThose big cats are extraordinarily beautiful. Although it depresses me to see them in cages. Your menagerie attire is trés chic!
Better in cages then on someone’s back. And we can all share their extraordinary beauty. There have been manifestations in Paris of course to free all the animals.
DeleteYou have been to the menagerie…but at night…so it doesn’t count if you can’t see the animals.
ReplyDeleteAs a cat lover, this was delightful ! Have passed it on!
ReplyDeleteMerci, JG
My favorite jam is fig. I’ll bring you some if you promise to squeeze me into your busy schedule in October! PS It’s California Mission Figs & Rosemary…
ReplyDeleteYes PLEASE ! Figggggggg yum yum
DeleteI wish you a safe journey and a very happy and enjoyable time in the Alsace. It's a region I love and amazingly under-rated by the French! The little villages, each with its nest for storks perching high above delightful half timbered houses, are such fun to explore. And those hams are quite extraordinary!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you Jenny Very kind. I was in Strasbourg for the Christmas marché pre-pandemic and picking grapes once in October eons ago. So, so beautiful there.
ReplyDeleteI received the watercolor of the Luxembourg chairs, and I absolutely love it. Thank you so much, and extra thanks for the goodies you included with it. And, the stamps on the envelope are so awesome. I now have to find the perfect frame for the painting.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more! Every day should be cat day! Lovely images, all!
ReplyDelete