Havens - Paris e-guide: The Travel Guide with its Own Website - page 159

Centre

City Parks and Gardens
The Jardin du Luxembourg (Map 16 E4) is one of
the city's most beloved parks. Offering everything
from fountains to boules pitches and chairs aplenty,
it's basically a backyard for all those without one.
If you want something more formal, head for the
quintessential French garden, the Jardin des
Tuileries (Map 9 D4), laid out in the 17th century by

royal gardener Le Nôtre, with a sweeping central
avenue bordered by geometric flower beds and
topiary. Parc Monceau (Map 2 H4) is worlds apart
with its fanciful Roman temple, Egyptian pyramid,
Japanese pagoda and Dutch windmill - as well as
lawns and islands of flowers. But if flowers are your
pleasure, the rose garden of the Parc de Bagatelle
(see p217), with some 1,300 varieties, is truly heaven.

17 B5

Jardins des Plantes floral fancy
Entrances on rue Buffon, rue Cuvier, rue Geoffroy St-Hilaire,
place Valhubert, 5ème Open summer 7:30-8, winter 7:30-5:30
Escape dreary, wintry Paris inside steamy tropical
glasshouses alive with lush cacti, ferns and orchids.
In May, cherry trees add a burst of colour between the
sweeping shaded avenues. And, for a dose of nature
deep in the city, visit the wild parc écologique , which
is frequented by more than 75 species of birds.

16 F1

Mariage Frères historic tearoom
13 rue des Grands Augustins, 6ème • 01 40 51 82 50
www.mariage-freres.fr Open 10:30-7:30 daily
The Mariage family have been trading tea for 150
years and this tranquil tearoom is the perfect place to
discover their wares. Hardwood floors, high-backed
chairs, silver tea services, white-coated waiters and
500 kinds of tea imbue this 17th-century building with
a distinct aroma of the old East Indies.

10 F5 15 A1

Toupary Restaurant bird's-eye view
La Samaritaine (5th fl), 2 quai du Louvre, 1er • 01 40 41 29 29
www.toupary.com Open 11:45-3, 3:30-6 & 7:30-11 Mon-Sat
When you can shop no more, drag your aching feet up
to the fifth floor of the Samaritaine department store.
Here, a restorative cup of almond-and-orange tea, a
hefty slice of apple tart and stunning panoramic views
- from Notre Dame to the Eiffel Tower and beyond -
awaits. The 10th-floor terrace is open in fine weather.

Hôtel des Invalides war and peace
Esplanade des Invalides, 7ème • 01 44 42 38 77
Open summer 10-6 daily; winter 10-5 daily
Built by Louis XIV to house his wounded soldiers (part
of it remains a hospital today), the Hôtel des Invalides
contains the grandiose tomb of Napoleon I and a
massive army museum. Less well known are the restful
gardens, with their perfectly trimmed triangular trees,
and flowerbeds overlooking a tinkling fountain.