Author(s): Susan Cahill

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In a city that's the destination of millions, it can be a challenge to find your way to its lovely, serene spaces. Away from the maddening crowds, the gardens of Paris offer the balm of flowers, tall old trees, fountains, sculptures, and the company of quiet Parisians taking the sun, relishing the peace. These places are often tucked away, off the beaten tourist track, and without a guide they're easy to miss: The Jardin de l'Atlantique, out of sight on the roof of Gare Montparnasse. The enchanting Jardin de la Vallee Suisse, invisible from the street, accessible only if you know how to find the path. The Square Boucicaut, its children's carousel hidden inside a grove of oak and maples. The "Hidden Gardens of Paris" features 40 such oases in quartiers both posh and plain, as well as dozens of others "Nearby" to the featured green space. Beautifully rendered, the book is not only a useful guide, but a tribute to the gardens as sites of passionate cultural memory.