Trees of Paris

I didn't really realize how many trees there are in Paris until the leaves came back a few weeks ago. The hard gray edges have all been softened up; you can no longer see the Arc de Triomphe when you look north from Place Victor Hugo. The plane trees, which are pruned within an inch of their life each fall, are just starting to sprout new growth.



Chestnut trees like these are in bloom everywhere with showy displays of either pink or white flowers.


These lime trees in the gardens of the Palais Royal aren't that old but you can imagine the assignations that might have taken place here in the days of Cardinal Richelieu.