Parc de l'Orangerie

The Parc de l'Orangerie is the oldest city park in Strasbourg. It is situated to the east of the city center. The surrounding neighborhoods were built for the upper crust at the turn of the century (last century that is) and are still considered to be the poshest addresses in town.

Warm, sunny days in mid-October are rare. October 22 was a warm, sunny day and it seemed that half the town was soaking it up at the park. Lots of university students sleeping on the grass. Lots of parents chasing their kids or dragging them around in strollers. Lots of old folks too, come out to visit with their neighbors.

At the center of the park is a lake (shown in the intro picture). You can rent rowboats to get closer to the ducks and take in the spray from the fountain. There is also a small, free-of-charge zoo that is known for its collection of storks and llamas. If you want to spend money, there is a gourmet restaurant (2 or 3 Michelin stars....not sure which) and a bowling alley (only one I know of in Strasbourg)There are also lots of paths to stroll. The park was actually laid out in the 17th century by the same guy that laid out the gardens of Versailles. The park takes its name (literally the "Orange Grove") because of orange trees that were planted there in the early 18oos. It escapes me as to why anyone would expect orange trees to grow in Alsace.Immediately above is a picture of the statue of the Gänseliesel, or goose girl, that stands near the Pavillon Joséphine. (There is a more famous Gänseliesel in Gottingen, Germany...where tradition requires the students, upon receiving their doctorate degrees, to kiss the statue. I don't know of any similar traditions for the Strasbourg goose girl.)

Below is a photo of the Pavillon Joséphine, which was built for the use of Napolean's first wife, the Empress Joséphine. The couple supposedly spent some time in Strasbourg...and evidently the empress liked to stroll amongst the orange trees.