Hidden Gardens of Paris: A Guide to the Parks, Squares, and Woodlands of the City of Light

by Susan Cahill, Marion Ranoux (Photographer)

For the seasoned Parisian traveller or the novice looking to get off the beaten track Cahill provides a roadmap to parts of the city most visitors will never see


In a city that is the destination of millions of travelers every year, it can be difficult to find your way to its lovely, serene spaces. Away from the madding crowds, the gardens of Paris offer the balm of flowers, tall old trees, fountains, ponds, sculptures, with quiet Parisians reading Le Monde, taking the sun, relishing the peace.

These places are often tucked away, off the beaten tourist track, and without a guide they're easy to miss: The Jardin de l'Atlantique, out of sight on the roof of Gare Montparnasse. The enchanting Jardin de la Vallée Suisse, invisible from the street, accessible only if you know how to find the path. The Square Boucicaut, its children's carousel hidden inside a grove of oak and maples. Square Batignolles, the shade of the old chestnut trees an inspiration to the painter édouard Manet and poet Paul Verlaine.



Hidden Gardens of Paris features 40 such oases in quartiers both posh and plain, as well as dozens of others "Nearby" to the featured green space. It is arranged according to the geographic sections of the city—Île de la Cité, Left Bank, Right Bank, Western Paris, Eastern Paris—a lively and informative guide that focuses on each place as a site of passionate cultural memory.

Genres: Travel, France, Gardening, Nonfiction

221 pages, Paperback

First published April 10, 2012

About the author

SUSAN CAHILL has published several travel books on France, Italy, and Ireland, including Sacred Paris, Hidden Gardens of Paris and The Streets of Paris. She is the editor of the bestselling Women and Fiction series and author of the novel Earth Angels. She spends a few months in Paris every year. MARION RANOUX, a native Parisienne, is an experienced freelance photographer and translator into French of Czech literature.

Reviews

[Karen! · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic. Love it. Everything that an ultra-specific insider's guide travel book should be. I don't need to be patronized if I'm picking up a book this specific, and Susan Cahill is lovely enough to respect the reader and treat us as friends! This is a great guide for someone returning to Paris, or for the garden-enthusiast first time visitor. The directions are simple but useful. Love.

[Melissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I had heard Susan Cahill on NPR discussing this book, and I was interested in reading it right off. I have visited Paris before, but in the winter, when these tucked-away gardens and green spaces would have been covered in a layer of snow. The idea of visiting "hidden" places in one of the most visited cities in the world is an inviting one. I finally picked up this book in anticipation of an up-coming trip to Paris, and reading the descriptions of these beautiful parks and gardens and studying the gorgeous photographs have increased my already high level of excitement for my impending return to Paris. Cahill's graceful, poetic prose offers historical context, detailed descriptions, and literary and historical references that whisk the mind to these Parisian gems. Not every garden included in Cahill's book are particularly "hidden," but the information given about them give the reader more than one would find in most guidebooks. And there are entries that are off the beaten-path and require a bit more exploring to find- and would be quite worth the extra effort. Cahill also includes nearby points of interest to each garden, such as restaurants, other parks, and museums. Even if you are not going to Paris any time soon, this is a lovely book to peruse and enjoy. And if you are going to Paris, it is a welcome addition to more conventional guidebooks.

[Bre · Rating 5 out of 5]

The parks and gardens of Paris are truly the best part about the city, and I'm so glad that all my favorites are found in this well laid-out book--as well as some new discoveries that I'm excited to visit ! If you read this book and use it as a guide in Paris, be sure to double check that park hours/names, restaurants, etc are up to date because this book was published in 2012.

[Christine · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted more pictures and more commentary, to be honest. But I love the fact that Cahill includes a list of nearby bookstores for each park.

(3.5)

[Helynne · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful and useful manual—complete with pictures—that describes the beauty, history and location of some of the loveliest gardens in Paris. Some of these gardens are so obscure that most people would never even know about them without Susan Cahill's knowledgeable descriptions. It was worth the read just to be able to find the charming and peaceful Vallée Suisse, which is just off the Champs-Elysées, but so well hidden that I never would have found it during my last trip to Paris without Cahill's guidance.

[Robin Brink · Rating 4 out of 5]

Now I have gardens to see on my next visit

[Dianne Oliver · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just lovely! A guide that is charming, and informative in all the right ways. I took notes for a fall trip but it would be just as nice to read as a stay at home getaway.

[Christie · Rating 5 out of 5]

So marvellous and inspiring that l bought my own copy to plan our two-month Paris vacance upon visiting a garden each day ...!

[Eve · Rating 5 out of 5]

There is never a time when I am not dreaming of my return to the City of Light, of finding a new cafe to ensconce myself in for hours, of walking its bridges and getting lost in its streets. Hidden Gardens of Paris speaks to my ever-present Parisian daydreams, with secret green spaces within its pages, waiting to be discovered on my next trip.

Cahill has filled Hidden Gardens of Paris with parks and gardens, some known, others little known, accompanied by lyrical descriptions and some historical notes, as well as nearby places of interest.

Look inside the green heart of Paris and you will see the exquisite beauty of one of the world's most cherished places. That beauty quickens the love of life and stirs our desire for more. People - travelers- always want to come back to Paris again and again. This book guides us to forty of its loveliest pleasures, the small squares and gardens, the thrilling open spaces bordered by architectural elegance, the parks and sprawling woodlands of Europe's crown jewel…"

This is the book to take with you when you want to escape the tourist hordes of this well trod city and find delight in an off-the-beaten-path place of quiet and beauty. I am certainly earmarking my copy and taking it with me on my next trip.

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was given this as a gift because I was going to Paris. I poured over it beforehand to make sure I did not miss any wonderful garden spots in the city. I marked a few as must see and assumed I would hits others in the course of my meanderings. I did end up seeing so many more than I planned, because gardens are everywhere in Paris. Even in mid-October so much was still blooming and these gardens really became welcome spots to sit and ponder and rest one's feet! The extra tips of where to eat and bookstores in proximity were an added bonus. Nicely researched historical and literary anecdotes round out this little gem.

[Zen Nana · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Hidden Gardens of Paris: A Guide to the Parks, Squares, and Woodlands of the City of Light offers a peek into more beauty than you knew existed in the city. With gorgeous photos by Marion Ranoux and fascinating stories by Susan Cahill, this one will nourish and delight travelers, including those of the armchair variety.

[Sarah Lotze · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the sweetest little book, full of enticing descriptions of Parisian parks, their history and their environs.
I plan on having it in my bag as I wander the streets of Paris in a few weeks, peering around walls and finding the secret stairs that Susan Cahill says will lead me into verdant coolness and places of past torture and mayhem - what fun!

[Amy Welborn · Rating 5 out of 5]

A really lovely little book, that is as straightforward as its title. Traveling with children, I am always looking for green space..this will be a perfect companion for us. I look forward to using it!

[Ivona · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gleich beim ersten Platz war ich verzaubert von diesem Buch. Es ist so geschrieben, dass man die Augen schliesst und sich vorstellen kann, wie es dort aussieht. Mir gefällt auch sehr, dass es Orte sind, die nicht in jedem x-beliebigen Standardreiseführer für Paris vorkommen.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

An easy reading informative guide to finding green spaces in Paris, and finding quiet away from the major sites that all tourists come to see. Not a long history, just enough information to help you decide if this is a "must see" for you.

[Joanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a gem of a book! I only wish I had it with me when I visited Paris. It isn't hard to imagine walking the whole city with this book in hand, looking for every gate and entrance to these lovely places. Even so, it was delightful to recognize some places I had actually been to.

[Holly]

Just ordered this....can't wait.

[Louise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fabulous! One of the best guidebooks I have ever read. Wonderful for those who have already been to Paris as well as the newcomers

[Ramarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Makes me want to visit all these known and lesser-known parks of Paris! Nice book to add to my bookshelves, and re-read.

[Liz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Got lots of great ideas of places to go in Paris. I liked this book because in addition to describing the gardens it also lists places and restaurants/cafes of interest nearby each garden.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best guidebook for enjoying a quiet lovely Paris.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Made me want to go to Paris again! So many great things to see :)