Le Jardin du Bagatelle ...

There's an amazing garden hidden away at the far edge of the Bois du Bologne. The story goes that in 1775 the Count of Artois (the future Charles X) bought the land and bet his sister-in-law, Marie Antoinette, that he could erect there a large folie (country house) within two months, complete with landscaped gardens.  "Bagatelle!" he boasted ("it's nothing!"), then put 900 laborers to work, day and night, in order to win his bet.  Which he did.

Steve and I visited on a Sunday afternoon to see an exhibit of Japanese kimonos in the chateau.  It was the perfect choice of venue, the garden afterward reflecting all the imagery and richness of the ceremonial costumes.

Below you can see a corner of the orangerie (building where citrus trees are over-wintered) and the famous rose garden, installed by the city of Paris when it acquired the estate in 1905.  Besides these, there is a French formal garden, iris and rhododendron gardens, Japanese water garden, waterfalls, chateau, trianon, restaurant (which I understand is to be avoided), and a resident flock of free-range peacocks which can be heard (louder than roosters) all over the park.

A view of the gazebo from inside the rose garden ...

... and the swags meant to be covered with climbing roses.

And Steve looking happy, despite his claim that he doesn't even like roses ...

The peacocks were our favorite part.  They swagger around as if they own the place ...

... and this one does look pretty mad at having to share his territory.

A moment after this photo was taken, Steve reached out and touched a tail feather.  (You can see him premeditating it, can't you?)  The peacock whirled around and started stalking him!  I was laughing too hard to take what would have been the best picture.  I will leave it to your imagination ...