Wednesday 9 September 2009

le jardin des plantes






The Jardin des Plantes in Montpellier was established in 1593 and is France's oldest botanical gardens. It's only 5 minutes walk from our place and I often go there to read or just to wander around. Originally it was the garden for the medical school and this is reflected in the collection of named medicinal plants, which are dispersed throughout. Despite it's formal structure, there is an unruly eccentricity about the place. Parts of it are closed off awaiting funds to restore them to their former glory, weeds grow amongst the plants and the grass is rather scruffy. I really like the unmanicured nature of the gardens and secretly hope they remain as they are.
The plants in the first photo are giant water lily seed heads. I saw them in flower a few weeks ago but by the time I returned to photo them, the flowers were over. I almost think they're more impressive like this.

8 comments:

  1. Oh I Love the vintage effect on these.
    How have you odne it ?
    Beautiful !!!!!

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  2. that looks like such a beautiful place. i hope it stays the way you describe it too!

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  3. marion - one word : photoshop!
    i wanted them to look the way i felt about the place :)

    ii-ne-kore - it's a pretty laidback place, that is except for the signs telling you not to sit on the grass :)

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  4. you live that close to the jardin des plantes? i'm so jealous! i stayed near place monge when i lived in paris a few years ago. i love that area.

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  5. hi anna - unfortunately it's not THE Jardin des Plantes in Paris - i wish! we live in the south in Montpellier :)

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  6. i too love the look and colours in these photos. beautiful!

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  7. amazing!!!!, especially the first photo.

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  8. I wish I had a place like this 5 minutes from my house. Just beautiful!!
    Thanks for stopping by my blog and say hello ;-)

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