Hidden Treasures of Paris: Jardin de la Vallée Suisse (8th Arrond.)
// September 5th, 2009 // Comments // Treasures
Paris is well known for its magnificent gardens such as the Tuileries or the Jardin du Luxembourg. However, there are many lesser known gardens, some of which are hidden behind tall hedges or on unassuming corners of Paris. Today, venturing out in my own arrondissement (the 8th e.), I discovered Jardin de la Vallée Suisse. This tiny garden, tucked away behind a series of tall hedges on the corner of the corner of Ave. Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Vallée Suisse (next to the Palais de la Découverte), takes of all of 1.7 acres on this busy corner.
Jardin de la Vallée Suisse, Paris, France
Built in the late 19th century by the park designer Jean-Charles Adolphe Alphand, the average passerby would never notice the hidden treasure that sits just meters away. One enters the garden by walking down a series of stone steps and then passes through a stone archway, revealing the wonderful hidden jewel that is Jardin de la Vallée Suisse. Once in the garden, one finds himself surrounded by bamboo, lemon trees, roses, ivy, hanging vines and evergreens. Completely secluded from the busy Paris streets, I found myself completely alone in this garden—the sounds of the traffic barely audible, drowned out by the trickle of the tiny waterfall that feeds the beautiful pond just inside the garden. The pond and stream, as I later learned, are fed by the Seine. This splendid pond is home to many fish and is regularly visited by chirping birds of all sorts.
The privacy and serenity that Jardin de la Vallée Suisse provides makes it ideal for an intimate conversation, romantic rendezvous, or just a quiet day of reading alone. Foot-traffic is light in the garden, so one need not worry about having to share it with many others.
Want to see a photos of my visit? Jardin de la Vallée Suisse Photos
Want to see a video of my visit? Jardin de la Vallée Suisse Video
Want to see this location on a map? Map of My Visits
