Finding tranquility in Paris
 

Tranquil: free from commotion or disturbance.

Just what I am looking for to balance days on the go in Paris. What Parisian place do you love for its tranquility?

we stayed in the 6th (Marias)..
It was tranquil just wandering the back streets. Same in the Latin Quarter.

The Musée Bourdelle, right next to Metro Montparnasse. It's the sculptor's home and studio, just as it was when he was working, with a charming garden and -- not many people.

I like the streets in the Latin Qtr. behind the Pantheon going down towards the rue Mouffetard area.

The Parc Monceau, in a residential area of Paris, beautiful park!

or

Luxembourg Gardens, wandering among the trees, watching the men play boules, the children with their boats, and then leaving the gardens on the west side and wandering the streets around there.

or

The gardens of the Rodin museum. Beautiful!

Wug - I second all of those suggestions.

Bourdelle worked in Rodin's atelier and was his heir apparent. It's really interesting to see how his work evolved after leaving Rodin. The early works look very Rodinesque, and then his individual style is something altogether different.

It's nighttime, summer, I'm on a bridge over the Seine, between Notre Dame and Right Bank, the floodlights have lit up the Conciergerie and other major buildings, while to my right red neon is the colour the local cafe sign uses to attract late evening strollers... a Bateaux Mouche passes under the bridge, you hear the voice of the tour guide talking about the history of Paris as they pass by, their floodlight moving to and fro. maybe picking up couples kissing down by the river...in the distance, the Eiffel Tower is lit up...there is a full moon...and you realize, THIS is a perfect moment.

I've done this as my last night ritual on a couple of trips.

Luxmebourg gardens, Champs de Mars, Invalides watching men play boulles, Arene de Lutece...these are also relaxing places for me.

Listening to a classical music concert at St.Chappelle a truly magnificent site.

Tranquility?

--Arènes de Lutèce, metro Monge
--Parc André Citroën, metro Javel
--Père Lachaise cemetery, metro Père Lachaise
--Jardin des Plantes, metro Austerlitz
--Deportation Memorial, Ile de la Cité, metro Cité
--Jardins du Palais Royal, metro Palais Royal

Go to Bagatelle, the fabulous garden in the Bois de Bologna. I have been there several times. It is a little complicated to find but worth every effort. I have been several times. There have never been crowds, and the gardens are amazing. (The last time I was there, Sam Waterston (Law and Order) was there, but the roses are worth the trip whether you see a celeb or not.)

I like getting a seat on the terrace of a cafe, with my back to the wall and be invisible and watch and maybe do the Herald T's cross word puzzle. Now, hub-bub that it is, an a cross roads for all kinds of people, I get invisible on the Left Bank, St. Michel stop. Whattashow!
I like the energy, while others may not.
And they somehow make me tranquil.

any of the many gorgeous parks

Toupary
I'll have to visit the Musée Bourdelle when I'm in Paris in a few weeks. I've never been. Thanks for the idea!

Thanks all. Anyone else?

Laying in the grass at the base of the Eiffel tower after having just eaten lunch (avec Vin of course).

SeaUrchin...spend some time in the "Village of St. Paul", Rue St. Paul off of Rue St Antoine/Rivoli...very quite, beautiful for sitting and shopping, strolling and eating..very very quiet..like being in another world...just spent the better part of a day there..both DW and I enjoyed it tremendously. Missed it on prior visits to Paris..now it will be a return must.
Stu T.

Any of the cemeteries - but esp Passy (across from the Trocadero) and St. Vincent (on the back side of Sacre Couer) - you will most likely have these areas all to yourself. And, of course, the interiors of most of the non-tourist trail churches. You may be the only one listening to the organist practice.

Hi SU,

Place de Furstenburg.

((I))

Place de Furstenburg? You think that all of those photo-snapping Americans enhance the tranquility experience?

Huh? Many of we Americans are tourists but not only Americans are snap-happy.

Speaking of the Bagatelle Gardens, have an alfresco lunch at Les Jardins de Bagatelle. Check the web site for a panoramic view.

Excellent suggestions, espec. the cemeteries and Lux. Gardens. Also, the Musee Marmottan on your way to the Parc Bagatelle.

Another vote for the gardens of the Rodin museum, especially as you get further away from the house/museum.

Next to the Place de Furstenburg you'll find the Delacroix Museum which has a lovely little garden.

SeaUrchin:

Isn't this exciting - I can't wait until we meet up again - this time in Paree!!

For some quiet time I always retreat to the little park at the tip of the Isle de la Cite, Square du Vert Galant. There are benches and beautiful chestnut trees. It's a great place for a little picnic, or to just sit and contemplate the beauty surrounding you.

Three ideas: Jardin des Plantes,Musee Carnevalet and the newly openend Orangerie.

Definitely the Bagatelle rose garden, if you are there in June or July. Spectacular.

The little park behind Notre Dame de Paris - benches where you can sit and overlook the river

The Parc St-Cloud and the Parc Monceau

Sea Urchin,

I totally agree with posts re: gardens du musee Rodin and Pere Lachaise. I'd add the Musee Monet-Marmottan in the 16th - a true oasis and filled with gorgeous Monet canvases...small and doable in a morning. For another interior getaway, try la Mosquee de Paris, in the 5th ar.

Bon voyage!

msm4

I enjoyed the little zoo in the Jardin de Plantes. Not many visitors, interesting animals, and lovely architechture for the animals' housing.

Ah yes, the Place du Furstenburg...My daughter and I were looking at artwork a couple of years ago and she picked out this painting that she really liked and thought would look wonderful in my new house. I liked it too and then realized that it looked very familiar. Then the back of the painting say it was the Place du Fursentburg. Needless to say I bought the painting and next week she and I are going to Paris where I will show her the plaza. Very excited to show her my favorite city.

My favorite quiet hideaway is a little park behind St Clothilde in the 7th near the border of the 6th. It is a pretty little park with lots of flowers and trees, completely enclosed, has a tiny play area and a couple of small monuments. Very sweet, atmospheric and quiet.

What great ideas, thank you all.

Place des Vosges

The gardens at the Rodin museum.

It's so tranquil that you will feel like curling up and taking a nap and which perhaps is just the thing to do.

Cheers

ttt

Wow, I am going to be soooo traquil, thanks again.

I like to sit in the Tuilleries w/a good book, & watch the little kids push the wooden boats around (that you used to be able to rent for 5f or something). The huge park out in St. Germain-en-Laye, right as you exit the Metro (actually the RER). Wandering down the Seine towards the Eiffel Tower at night. How many do you need/want ??

I love the Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens, very hidden and quiet, under a canopy of beautiful trees.