The Bois de Boulogne .281852.E2.80.931858.29 History of parks and gardens of Paris

the artificial grand cascade , grotto of bois de boulogne



the kiosk of emperor, on island in lower lake in bois de boulogne, monument in paris named napoleon iii.

the bois de boulogne scrubby forest west of city, german, russian , british occupation armies had camped after napoleon s defeat , had cut down of older trees.

in 1852 napoleon iii had land transferred list of imperial property city of paris, , bought plots of private land within park. had lived long years in exile in london, , had visited london s hyde park, serpentine lake , winding paths. became model first major new park. thousands of workers began digging artificial lakes , brought boulders forest of fontainebleau build artificial cascade. belgrand, hydraulic engineer, built special conduit ourq canal, dug artesian wells, , laid 66 kilometers of pipes provide water future lakes, lawns , flowerbeds. alphand laid out 95 kilometers of new roads, riding trails , paths winding through park. gardeners seeded 273 hectares of lawn , planted 420,000 trees.

the park intended provide recreation parisians; besides roads carriages , paths horses , walking, davioud built twenty-four chalets , pavilions around park, served restaurants, cafes, theaters, , places of entertainment. twenty hectares set aside garden , zoo, jardin d acclimatation. in 1857 1 corner of park became site of hippodrome de longchamp, city s important horse racing track. during winter, lake became popular destination ice-skating. opening, park full of parisians of classes.