24 Squares
Winter seems to be following me. I’m over it!
Recently I spent about 6 weeks at our home in Pittsburgh. Originally the trip was to be just a little over 4 weeks or so but for business reasons I had to stay a bit longer. Prior to my arrival in Pittsburgh the weather had been springlike and pleasant. It seems; however, that once I arrived winter returned with a vengeance. Blowing huge giant snowflakes, ice, frost, hail and freezing temperatures. Pierre returned back to Paris before me. He returned to springlike temperatures and sunshine. Enter my return… rain, hail and snow. SNOW! It rarely snows in Paris but lucky me. I wake up to snow on April 1st. Over it!
I truly enjoy spring in Paris when the weather cooperates. There are so many green spaces here to enjoy. Although I have lived here for 10 years I haven’t visited all of them. I always seem to be discovering another and then another.
There is one in particular that I want to visit when the weather will permit. I suppose I could visit in the freezing rain but I want to see the gardens. The Square du Temple is a garden area located in the 3rd arrondissement of Paris. Although we live right next door in the 4th I haven’t been to just visit. It is one of 24 city squares planned and created by Georges-Eugene Haussmann. It was the site of a medieval fortress constructed by the Knights Templar. During the French Revolution parts were used as a prison. It was later demolished y Napoleon after becoming a place of pilgrimage. If you’re into the history of the French Revolution, the Knights Templar, or Napoleon it’s worth a read and a visit. Paris is not lacking in history that’s for sure. Today the location is a metro station and home to a cool covered market. The gardens have a variety of plants and flowers. There is a playground a pond and a waterfall. There are the obligatory statues and lots of grass. It is also home to the monument “little ones who do not have time to attend school” in honor of the Jewish children that were sent to Auschwitz between 1942 and 1944. There are actually several monuments throughout the city honoring the children.
The gardens themselves don’t officially open until the 15th of April and remain opened until October. I will be ready! I may just stroll about or perhaps Pierre and I can grab a couple sandwiches at the bakery and have a impromptu picnic. I will allow the day or the gardens to dictate my choices. I like it better if I don’t make a ridged plan. Paris is like that.
