The seventh post in a series, January Dreaming. Click for the series, and see the end of the post for the backstory.
It’s January. It’s cold, dreary and wet. So I’m dreaming. Of Paris in April.
When I’m in Paris, I do my best to visit as many gardens as possible. My oh my, do I love Paris! Especially in the spring. It’s no wonder that the City of Lights has inspired so many songs, including the classic April in Paris.
There’s a link to one of my favorite recordings of that jazz classic at the end of the post, along with the lyrics. But this post isn’t about jazz, it’s about the dazzling colors and green spaces you find all over Paris. There just isn’t enough time, however long the trip, to enjoy them all. Ever. So … you just have to go back, again and again. Here are a few gardens pics, from just one trip in April of 2017, taken over just one weekend between two very busy work weeks. I’m not giving details about the locations in this post, because it’s really about the big picture: just GO. Paris will not disappoint you in April. And dreaming about it in January is… Just. So. Right.
April in Paris
Lyrics
Composer: Vernon Duke
Lyrics: Yip Harburg*
I never knew the charm of spring
I never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
‘Til April in Paris, chestnuts in blossom
Holiday tables under the trees
April in Paris, this is a feeling
That no one can ever reprise
I never knew the charm of spring
I never met it face to face
I never new my heart could sing
I never missed a warm embrace
‘Til April in Paris
Whom can I run to
What have you done to my heart
*Did you know? Yip Harburg wrote the lyrics to all the songs in The Wizard of Oz.
Loved this. We are still a distance from spring here in Southern CA where I live just beneath some mountains in the foothills. Beautiful!
Such beautiful captures and sadly I have to say that I have never been to Paris, but it is definitely on my bucket list. Thank you for the inspiration and happy New Year Kim.
Right back atcha (happy new year). 2019 will be a good year for you, I can feel it. And Paris, it is calling – can you hear it?
Oh yes I hear the call all the time 😉
Beautiful! Even though I’m a winter kind of gal, your photos made me long for spring flowers!
Kathy, how nice! You can be a winter gal and a spring gal, too, right? I’m all giddy thinking about warmer weather, but I might not be so fond of it come August in Houston…
Some stunning photos! I’ve only been to Paris the once and the weather was grey and miserable so definitely tempted to go back when it’s warmer and I can explore those gardens too 🙂
Jason, from looking at your blog and following your travels, I would agree – you must go back, and you would definitely enjoy it! Audrey Hepburn says of Paris to Humphrey Bogart in the movie “Sabrina”: “Always rain on the first day.” She makes it sound so charming, and it can be! Unless it is continuous. I look forward to your next foray into Paris.
Anne, spring is a real thing and also a state of mind. I think your outlook is constantly springlike. I’ll be in LA next week for work – is there anywhere I should go afterward?