The Jardin des Plantes

This is an enormous geode on display right inside the gates to the gardens.

Thora, Rebecca, and I walked to the Jardin des Plantes today. This beautiful public garden is on the grounds of the Natural History Museum. People come from all over Paris to walk and jog on the paths. You see grandparents, moms and dads and lots of children. 

In Paris you do not see many people running on the streets like we do in America. They ride the metro or walk to lovely parks like this one and then begin running. Thora had a chance to try out her new stroller. 
Several of the beds were planted according to how the flowers and plants could be used. In one bed we saw ginko biloba and foxglove. Other beds seemed to be planted according to color.

I was so glad to see the number of honey
bees in the gardens.

This was the largest thistle I have ever seen. Easily the size
of Becca's hand.

Beautiful deep red hollyhocks

Today is Bastille Day and most people are on holiday. They were leisurely walking in the park and on the streets. When we stopped at the bakery on the way home, the line was out the door. Becca bought pain au chocolat for herself and Josiah, and I got a slice of quiche lorraine for my lunch.