The lovely Ichikawa Japanese Garden in Issy-les-Moulineaux

The town ofIssy-les-Moulineaux and Ichikawa have been close friends since 2008. And in every field, from art and culture to sport and many others. From 2013 to 2016, Issy and Ichikawa worked together to create the"Japanese Garden of Ichikawa", a truly traditional and public (and therefore free) Japanese garden was born within the Fort d'Issy, just outside Paris in the Ile-de-France region.

From the plans to the choice of materials, the installation of the lanterns and the pruning of the pine trees, this is the fruit of an ongoing exchange between the two towns. Gardeners fromIchikawa have also visited on several occasions to advise the technicians on the subtleties and spirit of the Japanese garden. Even today, the two towns exchange information on the upkeep of this park, which is alive and evolving.

Theichikawa Japanese garden , which showcases different styles of Japanese garden, spans several periods of Japanese history: Momayama (1573-1603) and Edo (1600-1868). Japanese gardens deal with the philosophy of time. Issy represents the passage from mountain to sea.

Stone, symbol of eternity, interacts with plants, symbol of life. In the dry garden or "Karesansui", the "Keiseki" ornamental stones associated with plants represent the mountain and the soil. The round stones symbolize the island and the cape, while the gravel represents the sea.

Water represents the passage of time and the constant renewal of life. The "Nagaré" waterfall flows down to the "ike" pond and the "Suhama" pebble beach.

• To be read
• Tips for the week of November 18 to 24, 2024 in Paris: free or inexpensive outings
• What to do in Paris and the Paris Region in November 2024? Our tips and ideas for outings
• Free Museums and Monuments to visit in Paris and the Ile-de-France region, good ideas for outings

Note that the ichikawa Japanese garden is not a garden like any other. It's a place of rest and meditation, where you can come to recharge your batteries and contemplate nature, thanks in particular to the "Azumaya" arbour, which symbolizes peace and serenity.

And, of course, there are the Japanese "Toro" lanterns, typical of traditional Japanese gardens. Historically, these lanterns were used to illuminate the entrances to Buddhist temples and to reassure weak minds at dusk. The Issy garden features 4 types of lantern from different historical periods (Kasuga, Yukimi, Tribe, Misaki).

In this pretty garden, we love to discover the harmonious pruned pines, the many eye-catching azaleas in bloom, the Japanese cherry tree duringHanami in April, and the yellow irises in May.

How about a trip to the land of the rising sun, just a stone's throw from Paris?