Wednesday, July 16, 2014

When in Paris, Where Does the Queen Go?


This post is part of the Paris in July blogging event. I’m delighted to be co-hosting this year! Please check out the blogs of Karen at “A Wondering Life” and Tamara at “Thyme for Tea,” creators of the event, for links to all participating posts.

On a trip to France for the D-Day commemoration last month, Queen Elizabeth II had only a few hours in Paris. What did she choose to see? The Paris Flower Market! (Ahem… I should say “The Queen Elizabeth II Flower Market,” as it was renamed upon the queen’s visit).

Yes, the place where I go to buy plants to replace the ones that I’ve managed to kill, or ask for advice on keeping orchids alive. The place where I bought my daughter her little pink watering can. For me, it is a prettier version of the neighborhood nursery -- because it is under pavilions dating back to 1900 and it is in Paris of course!




But it still was kind of funny that the queen chose to visit this beautiful, yet unassuming, flower market rather than one of the show-stopper sorts of attractions like the Eiffel Tower or Notre-Dame Cathedral. The queen (then a princess) had visited the market on a trip to Paris in 1948 and obviously it met with royal approval!

So is the flower market deserving of such attention? Absolutely. Plants, flowers and decorative items blending to create walkways of bright colors. A trip there is like a step into the countryside, right on the banks of the Seine. I’ve never seen it overly crowded either, making a stroll through a fun and relaxing experience.




What makes me smile is that Queen Elizabeth II, who certainly could have had the Eiffel Tower or Versailles closed for her own personal visit, actually chose a simple, lovely destination: a touch of the real Paris. Like a true Parisian, the queen carried her own umbrella that day… while the Paris mayor had an assistant carry hers!

When it comes to visiting Paris, Queen Elizabeth II has got the right plan: Veer a little bit off the beaten path and enjoy the natural beauty.








18 comments:

  1. Like you Adria I think that it is wonderful that Queen Elizabeth chose to visit this market - maybe she longs for a simpler life at times?? Thank you for sharing!

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    1. Indeed! I'll bet she would have loved to take her time admiring the flowers and plants rather than being quickly ushered off to the next appointment. Thanks for stopping by!

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  2. I love the Paris flower market! I never had a space where I thought a plant would survive, but if I had stayed and had a balcony, I had grand plans of starting my own little garden. Great spot. :)

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    1. That's the tricky part in Paris: having the outdoor space with enough light... Like you, I still enjoy a stroll through from time to time. :)

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  3. I'm sure the Queen has been to more than enough obvious tourist destinations in her lifetime. Well done her. And if you agree with her choice of visit, she must be on the right lines!

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    1. Yes, she must prefer the simple things in life and natural beauty at this point... I thought it was great that she chose the flower market for her Paris visit!

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  4. what a lovely tidbit !
    I'm always impressed with QE's approachability. This serves to support that... thanks for sharing =)

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    1. Thank you! Hopefully the queen will return to Paris and show us more of her favorite spots... :)

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  5. Love that the Queen made the Flower Market a primary stop... I passed it yesterday (by bus) and felt the urge to go, but didn't...your post reconfirms putting it higher on my list! Just discovered your lovely blog... always nice to find a fellow American married to a Frenchman ;) All the best with your book!

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    1. Thank you very much, Catherine! And I'm glad that my post inspired you to visit the flower market soon. It's such a beautiful place -- especially at this time of year. A bientot :)

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  6. That's why the queen is so classy! Carrying her own umbrella and visiting spots like the flower market. I knew I liked her for a reason.

    Oh, and the best way to keep an orchid alive is to leave it at the store :)

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    1. Vicki, I think that is the best orchid advice!! I know that we've tried everything and have yet to succeed...

      And yes, I too was impressed with the queen's energy and class.

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  7. :0) lol that is pretty good orchid advice.... & yes also cool that the Queen carried her own umbrella & visited the flower market....I'd like to think I would do the same if I were were Queen....

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    1. Yes, I love the fact that the queen showed that she could be very down to earth by her choice of destination and her behavior! :)

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  8. Adria, This is terrific idea. After all, it's the little, day-to-day moments that lure me to France, not the big monuments. I'll have to visit the flower market next time. Thanks for playing along with Dreaming of France. Here’s my Dreaming of France meme

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    1. Thanks, Paulita! I do recommend visiting the flower market... I brought some recent visitors there and they loved it!

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  9. I agree entirely, that stepping away, even by a fraction from the overwhelming tourist sights will reward you enormously. I hadn't heard about the queens recent visit, or renaming the flower market, thanks for a lovely post about it.

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    1. Thanks for stopping by! And yes, it is nice to find things that are at least a little bit off the beaten path when visiting a city like Paris... It's part of the magic!

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