Last night we celebrated our 27th wedding anniversary with JP. The three of us went to dinner at a neighborhood bistro, Le Chardenoux. This restaurant is now owned by famous French chef, Cyril Lignac. We enjoyed a delightful meal with great food, tasty wine, and terrific service. After dinner we repaired to JP’s for a few rounds of 421. (Click the name and you will see an abbreviated explanation of the rules.)

Today Jean and I took care of some travel necessities in the morning, such as buying some dice so we can play 421 in southern France. In the afternoon we visited two beautiful gardens.

The Jardins de Aresenal are along the banks of the Canal Saint Martin from the Bastille to The Seine. Many live aboard boats crowd the canal at this wide section. The garden is lovely for strolling and, of course, there are flowers.

Then we crossed the river to Jardin des Plantes, the primary botanical garden in France. We try to come here each time we are in Paris. The flowers change throughout the season, the people walk around with smiling faces, and the gardeners work tirelessly to keep it all beautiful. The birds were enjoying the sunflower seeds today.

Jean found time for a little painting while I took a nap on a shady bench.

We have seen these bee shelters in many parks in London and Paris for the first time on this trip. It appears as if European gardeners are attracting bees more than they used to. The bee shelters are all built with bamboo, reeds, sticks, and large wood with bored holes to provide many spaces for bees. And they are built decoratively to look good in the garden!

Tomorrow morning we pick up our car and head south. Next stop Atelier de la Rose in Montcabrier!

Paul