Parks and Gardens in Toulouse, Episode 76

Categories: Toulouse, Toulouse Area

This episode features our frequent and very popular guest Elyse Rivin. If you enjoy her episodes, please consider supporting her on Patreon.

On today's show Elyse tells us how long ago Toulouse was an overcrowded medieval city with dirt roads, no running water, no sanitation, and no public parks. Thankfully it's a lot better today thanks to those who have gone before us!

The Founder of Parks and Gardens in Toulouse

Then a local visionary named Louis de Mondran fought the good fight to bring public parks to the city starting in the 1740s, and we still enjoy three wonderful adjacent parks at the center of Toulouse: the Boulingrin (or Grand Rond), the Jardin des Plantes, and the Jardin Royal.

Detours in Our Conversation

But, of course, we also take some detours in the conversation. To help you follow along, here are some of the other topics we discuss in this episode:

  • Are French kids are really better behaved that other kids?
  • Do French kids get more freedom at a younger age?
  • Do French people make more with less?
  • What's is the difference between a park and a garden?
  • Do city dwellers crave having some dirt under their feet?
  • What's the difference between a French Garden and an English Garden?
  • Why is a Museum of Natural History called "Museum" in French and not "Musée"? If you know, please share in the comments below because we can't find a definitive answer!
  • The small zoo that used to be in Toulouse at the Jardin des Plantes

Louis de Mondran was an upper class Toulouse native who brought parks to the city of Toulouse starting in the 1750s. He used his influence to talk the Toulouse city Council to spend money on an open-air green area and break down some of the ramparts around the city.

Three Parks that Were Created in Toulouse Between 1750 and 1800

Le Jardin Royal

Le Boulingrin or Grand Rond

Le Jardin des Plantes

Elyse offers tours in Toulouse, look her up under Toulouse Guided Walks.

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Categories: Toulouse, Toulouse Area

4 Replies to “Parks and Gardens in Toulouse, Episode 76”

  1. So, what is the difference between a parc and a jardin? I listened to the podcast several times. The answer to this question is promised a number of times, but I never heard it.
    So curious… keep up the good work!
    Joost

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