Figure 1--This is a classic park scene during the late-19th and early-20th century--boys trying out their boats in park ponds. The younger boy has a great sailboat. Notice his pole to direct the boat. An older boy at the extreme left to the left as a longer pole, but we don't get to see his pole. The older boy at the center holds what looks to be an ocean liner. We do not know what park this was, but it is surely a Paris park, because it was a 'Le Journal' image. Perhaps our French reaf=ders will regonize it. It was dated July 4, 1928.

Parks seem to have nbeen a very popular places for the French. And we see many families with children enjoying them. We do not have a great deal of information on specific French parks at this time but are beginning to collect information on these parks. Most of what we have show parks in Paeis. Of course all French cities had parks, but they were much less well kniwn than the Parisian parks. The Luxembourg Gardens is one especially beautiful park in Paris. Another important French park is Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont locted in the north of Paris. This park dominats the north of the city and was a favorite place for Parisians with the families to spend Sunday afternoon. It is an important green space with prominent rock outcroppings that boys love to climb. We have found quite a few French park images, but most do not identify the park. The activities at these parks seem somewhat limited for children, but sailing sailboats was very important at the ponds.

Bois de Boulonge

The Bois de Boulonge like Hyde Park in London (Rotten Row) is a favourite place for the gentry to ride their horses in Paris. We note the de Lesseps family in a horse cart for an outing in 1879.

Euro-Disney

The Dineyland Parks in American became important attractions for foreign tourists, including European tourists. Eventually Diney began considering actually building a park in Europe. Disney began planning (1975). Locating the Euripean park in Britain, Italy, Spain and France were all considered. Britain and Italy were eliminated early because there perruferal location and limited availavility of suitable site. Climate was another factor in Britain. At first Disney leaned toward the Alicante area of Spain which was a popular tourist site and a similar climate to Florida whoch permitted operation beyond just the summer. The Mistral winds, however, proved a problem. So a French site eventually was chosen--Marne-la-Vallee. Not vonlt was the site near Paris, but its centralm location in Western Europe put the park within range of families throughout Europe. Disney calculared that the proposed location put the park within 4-hours drive of nearly 70 million people in France, the Low countries and Germany. In addition, vurtually the entire membership of the European Union lived where they could reach Paris with a 2 hour flight. Disney chief Michael Eisner signed the first letter of agreement with the French Socialist government, 10 years asfter planning had begiun (December 1985). Construction begun on the starting on the 2,000 hectare site (August 1988). Espace Euro Disney (an information centre) was opened to the public to show what Disney was building (December 1990). The casting center was the next step (September 1991). in order to start recruiting the hundreds of Cast Members that would ultimitely operate the park's many attractions. Euro-Disney finally opened (Martch 1992). A French reader writes, "I like this park, I quite enjoy when I go with my grandchildren. I can observe how happy they are at the Park. A problem is the crowds and it is not easy to go up in the carousels."

Jardine de la Colonne

An early 20th century postcard shows a view of the Jardine de la Colonne in Maseilles. We also see references to the Jardin de la Colline Puget. Jardine de l Collone means garden of the column, apprently referring to a classical column, presumably Roman in the garden. We are not sure what 'puget' means, but it seems to a family name, perhaps the nme of the designer. It was France's first public garden created in Marseille during 1801 which of course was the advent of the Napoleonic era. The postcard shows a formal garden with well behaved children beng escorted by nannies and parents stroling through a the beautifully sculptured gardens overlooking the sea and the city. The postcard view is undated, but we would guess was taken about 910, certainly some time before world war I. We do not know if anything is known about the column or how the park has changed in modern times.

Luxembourg Gardens

The Luxembourg Gardens is one especially beautiful park in Paris.

Moulin de la Galette

The Moulin de la Galette is not a park, but is famous recreational area in Paris. Moulin meams mill. Moulin à ventis means windmill. It is the a famous windmill and related businesses that deceloped on a hill located the district of Montmartre in Paris. The mill since the 17th century the windmill has taken on considerable fame. Thnis began with the Napoleonic Wars. At the end of the Napoleonic Wars, allied European armies including the Russianms invaded France and attacked Paris (1814). The mill was owned by the Debray family who defended the mill against Cossacks. Three family membrers were killed. The Cossacks nailed one to the wings of the windmill. France foughtbanotherr war, this time with the Prussians. Some 20,000 Prussian soldiers attacked the hill and mill. Pierre-Charles Debray was killed and nailed to the wings of the windmill. A mass grave for those killed during the siege was dug just steps away from the windmill. The Debray family, made a brown bread (galett) which became popular. An associated businnes sporing up--a guinguette and restaurant. Guinguettes were popular drinking establishment. The first were establishef outside the customs barrier of Paris. A network drinking establishments grew uo in the villages arond Paris. They were especially popular venues on Sundays and holidays for working-class Parisans.. They were places to socialize and drink wine -- eesenbtallly a cheap drunk. Impressonist artists (Renoir, van Gogh, and Pissarro) immortalized Le Moulin de la Galette. Renoir's festive painting, 'Bal du moulin de la Galette' is among the most famous if the Impressionists paitings. In France today, the term 'guinguette' means a waterside refreshment stand, usually open-air.

(Le) Parc des Buttes Chaumont

Another important French park is Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont locted in the north of Paris. This park dominats the north of the city and was a favorite place for Parisians with the families to spend Sunday afternoon. It is an important green space with prominent rock outcroppings that boys love to climb. Here we see a boy with his friend climbing rocks in Le Parc des Buttes Chaumont in 1935 (figure 1). The boy is about 11 or 12 years old. We see him standing on some outcroppings in in the north of Paris. The boy is in a position to look down upon some green space below with apartment buildings in the distance. Climbing the rocks was apparently a favorite pastime in this park. The boy wears typical schoolboy clothing--a woolen short pants suit with checked knee socks. He also wears a turtleneck sweater and a flat cap. The boy climbing up beside him is similarly dressed but appears to be wearing long trousers (or are they knickers?). The season seems to be early spring or late autumn. There is only minimal foliage on the trees and the adult men seem to be wearing overcoats.

Unidentified Park

We have found snapshots of children enjoying an unidentified park. We at first wsere not sure it was a parrk rather than an undeveloped rural areas where children were having a birthday party. And as we acquired more images, it is clear that it was a park. A French reader assures us tha it was a park. Unfortunately we do not have the name of the park or where it is located. We believe the photographs were taken in the 1950s, based on the children's clothing. And we can see facilities for the children. The children are mostly younger pre-school children. And we cn see what they were wearing and their activities at the parks. Our French reader commenting on the smock outing page, writes, "These two French children are definitely playing in a park. The child on the left she is a girl. On the right is a boy is wearing a romper and not a smock. The smocks were only for school time. Thursday and Sunday the boys rarely worn smock. Looking at the little girl shoes, I believe the snapshot was rather made about 1938/1944. In this time, her hat model was also worn by boys; Her shoes model came again in fashion in 1960s for girls 6-20 years old."