Photo Erica Berman

Text Jen Holup
Open the infamous little red “Plan de Paris” to a map of any arrondissement, and you will be presented with pleasant green shapes on every page.  Full of green spaces to discover, Paris is a veritable urban jungle.

Many of Paris’ parks are well-tred territory, beloved by both locals and tourists alike. Luxembourg Gardens is a welcome rest-stop on a journey through the bustling Latin Quarter to Montparnasse. the Champs de Mars and Jardin des Tuileries offer grandiose promenades among the city’s most impressive monuments.  Yet, more than once, after packing a picnic and a book for an afternoon in the park, I have found one of the endearing “pelouse au repos” signs gracing the lawn, informing me (albeit in the charming French way) that the grass was “resting,” and thus unfit for human contact.  So, where does one retreat for a picnic in the City of Lights while our flora friends recuperate?

Bois de Vincennes: Since Louis XV, these 995 acres have been open to public enjoyment.  The lovely thing about parks in Paris is that they are so much more than a series of well-landscaped paths for an afternoon stroll.  Bois de Vincennes offers distractions for all interests.  This forest on the eastern edge of the city has so much to offer, I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend it even for a rainy day.  Enter the forest from Porte Dorée (Metro Ligne 8), where you will be greeted by Paris’ only Aquarium.  A short walk away is the Zoo (closed for renovations until 2012), the Cité de l’Histoire de l’Immigration, and a bonafide Buddhist monastery offering courses in meditation, yoga, and Eastern practices several days a week.

During the summer, the Pelouse de Reuilly comes alive with carnival activity.  To truly escape the city for a spell, Vincennes offers two pleasant lakes: Lac Daumesnil and Lac des Minimes.  Bird-watchers will delight in the informative placards identifying (in French) the lakes’ waterfowl.  A trip to the Ferme Georges Villa, a small-scale farm, and a hippodrome.

Parc des Buttes-Chaumont: Truly, the only setback of this unique park is its unfortunate location on the feeble Metro Ligne 7-bis—a 7-stop affair that will likely require at least two transfers from any major hub.  Take a taxi, if you must, but don’t miss this peaceful oasis in the 19th, offering spectacular views of Paris.  Ideal for lounging on a spring or summer day.

Bois de Boulogne: Alighting at the art-deco Metropolitain at Porte Dauphine evokes the early twentieth century Paris of Proust, where gentleman courted ladies along the wooded avenues to Longchamp races or the ritzy suburbs of Neuilly and Boulogne.
(Perfectly safe during daylight hours, but do exercise caution in any public park at night: the area becomes an infamous red-light district after dark).

Eco-Friendly Shopping Tours in Paris – Rachel Kaplan

These days, inspired by France’s Green Party and a growing emphasis on public cycling (Vélib), organic foods and sustainable development, Paris is emerging as an eco-friendly European capital.

On Sundays the quais of the Seine are closed off for bikers, joggers and roller-bladers. The city prides itself on its over 400 parks and gardens, including one growing organic fruits and vegetables. There are at least four weekly organic food markets selling everything from fresh produce, meats, and honey, as well as organic wine. The city boasts several health food chains, and even the Monoprix store group prides itself on carrying a range of organic foods, with the AB label. Once you have tasted an omelette made with organic eggs there is no going back. Now, a number of beauty companies have created organic skin care products and cosmetics, including Nuxe and l’Occitane. Other retailers are selling cutting-edge clothes made with organic cotton, or are steering away from leather shoes and bags in favour of attractive substitutes.

If you want to learn more about doing an Eco-Chic Shopping tour while in Paris, do visit www.parischicshopping.com or write to Rachel Kaplan at chic@parischicshopping.com