400th anniversary of Jardin des Plantes 🌷

On Saturday I took  bus 63 

To the entrance at Jardin des Plantes. 

Mille & une orchidées 2025, Jardin des Plantes

Today is the inauguration of the annual Mille et Une Orchidées 

Exhibition at Jardin des Plants.

International Cat Day, Leopard letter

 

I missed International Cat day by a month on August 8.

Celebrating cats should be an everyday event.

19 Secret Signs of Spring in Paris you may not know about

It took me 3 years living in Paris to 'get' Picard frozen food's annual Italian food promotion (April 4-24) is a sure-fire sign Spring has arrived! Everything is 'elaborée' (made) in Italy. I forget the number of products but it's huge. I, myself have partaken of their pistachio ice cream for 21 days religiously. If you're in Paris and see big signs up saying "CIAO ITALIA" you know Spring has arrived no matter the temperatures or the leafless trees. C'est comme ça.

Every shop suddenly is offering tiny watering cans and mini cutting shears for your possible balcon jardin. I once fell victim to the grow-your-own strawberries in a lovely Spring-green tin can. Forgetabout that happening. Never again. And I don't have a real balcony. Just a bit of rooftop, but I had high hopes.

2 sundays ago it was glorious out. It must be official 'GET YOUR 1ST ICE CREAM' of the season. Ile Saint Louis was invaded. The lines were ginormous. I was still working on my pistachio and did not join in.

I partake of a Tai chi class at Jardin des Plantes. All the Parisians not lined up at Berthillon, were here gazing at pansies like it was the 1st time ever.

Last Sunday was lovely too

Parisian kidlets have taken to the streets big time.

Yesterday I saw TWO trench coats = Spring, even though temperatures are in the 40s. Hope springs eternal.

The produce stands are loaded with asperge blanche. I'm embarrassed to say I have never cooked them or even eaten them. I Must do something about this and soon before they disappear.

Strawberries (les fraises) have hit town big. Strawberry juice even! Why didn't I get that?

As window decor too.

Pierre Hermé has them.

So has Lenotre.

Fauchon has big signs outside of strawberries sitting in chairs...I forgot to show you. Pls forgive.

Strawberry-colored Bensimons stacked high in Galeries Lafayette and everywhere else is a sure sign. Do not ask me why they hide the shoelaces. ??? You can not go wrong wearing Bensimons in Paris. Ever.

Luxe department store Printemps brings out their annual Spring flower bunny. It's a tradition.

Bottles of rosé are showing up everywhere.

The 1€ bunches of dafs (jonquils) for sale in the marché show up like clockwork.

Flower baskets of those greens I've been trying to paint are a constant reminder of what's waiting around the corner, even when if it's in the 30s today.

Last but not least, I sent off the Springy May Paris letters yesterday. Hooray!

BIG MERCI PBers for all your kind thoughts and comments!
Thanks for reading Parisbreakfast!
If you like this post please support it by buying my Paris letters and watercolors. Or pass this on someone you think might enjoy it.

Le Douanier Rousseau - musee d’Orsay

In times of great difficulty sometimes art can offer a respite.

Monday I visited a preview of the Rousseau exhibit at musee d'Orsay (March 22-July 17)

Jardin des Plantes, Aroma-Zone, Mamie Gateaux

Yesterday Barb said she goes walking in the Jardin des Plantes most mornings (in the 5th arrondissement).

Except for a brief visit 2 years ago I've never been and I live pretty close by. You can take the 67 bus to several entrances and line 7 or 10 Metro.

Utter quiet except for birdsong at 9:15 am

 

And the footsteps of Paris joggers.

All the museums and zoo are closed today - it's dreaded Tuesday

Fortunately there are plans (maps) everywhere. 'Vous Etes Ici (you are here) helps you identify your location. It's difficult to get lost at the jardin. An overhead view of the Grande Galerie de l'Evolution (closed today).

And looking at the galerie from the broad esplanade of flower beds.

Do not step on the grass please.

I leave just as lines of school children arrive for a nature lesson.

If you would like a different kind of nature lesson, one you can apply to your face and body, head over to AROMA-ZONE 25 rue de l'Ecole Medecine 75006. Bus 63, 86, 87 stop in front + Metro station Odeon. I can't tell you how many times I've passed this shop and never entered. Idiot moi.

Not till Bio Queen Solli said she was buying all kinds of elixirs and magic beauty potions did I venture inside.

It seems like every plant in existence has it's own essential oils, butter and/or powder and you can find them at Aroma-Zone. This little girl was sniffing apricot and almond oils.

I felt like the first visit to Trader's Joe. I wanted to ask everyone on the long lines "WHAT ARE YOU BUYING?" Women had baskets full of vials and powders. The prices are tres, tres pas cher.

All I bought was Solli's hair shampoo called Shikakai (3,90). Mix approximately 3 (?)spoons with hot water, massage and rinse. Solli says 1 package lasts a year (!). They have classes for making your own makeup and kits to make 'prodigious oil' and gawd knows what else. Of course it's all in French.

Only when I got home to I find the 'plan' or map of Aroma-Zone. It's much easier to get lost here than at Jardin des Plantes.
Do not go on a weekend. Jammed solid.
FYI:more pictures inside Aroma-Zone and the parc on Flickr.
Later PBers Carm and Lindsey took me for tea at Mamie Gateaux.
No map required here.