Before I talk about the Jardin des Plantes, let’s talk about jogging. Not so long ago, the only joggers in Paris were visiting Americans on business or holiday. Much to my amazement today, I passed a shop in Rue de Rennes near Montparnasse solely dedicated to running, called ‘Attractive’ or something similar (update: closed as of 2016). Coupled with the joggers in the Champ de Mars and Parc Monceau, jogging has obviously become acceptable in the last few years and no longer the preserve of embarrassed-looking expat Americans wearing board shorts in the Champ des Mars. You’ve come a long way Paris!
It has been cold and grey again today, but there is a brief, spectacular burst of sunlight through the clouds as I am crossing Pont Neuf from the Right Bank of the Seine to the Left Bank, which is worth a photo…
Still raining on and off by mid-afternoon, but in between showers there is some nice light at the Jardin des Plantes. One of the ‘free’ things to do in Paris is at these gardens. There is usually a good outdoor photography exhibition on the iron railings of the garden. This spring, it is of birds in flight on the fence, promoting a French outdoor travel magazine.
