I believe it was serendipity that brought me to the Jardin du Palais-Royale, when I wandered through the neighborhood and found one of the side entrances. There was a sense of mystery that intrigued, so I wandered down one of the colonnaded entryways. It was like stumbling down a beautiful rabbit hole when I finally emerged in the gardens, and I instantly fell in love. Surrounded by the Palais-Royal, the gardens are a manicured delight, featuring tended gardens and an expansive array of trees, perfect for an impromptu photo shoot, in my opinion. The architecture instantly reminds me of Piazza San Marco in Venice, and I love the gardens because they’re like a mini version of the Tuileries, but provide a bit more quiet respite from the city bustle. They’re also right in the middle of the city, with the Louvre being right accross from the main entrance. Who knew? As with most of the delights in the city, you might wander right by without ever knowing there was anything there. Originally the home of Cardinal Richelieu, the palace later housed Queen Anne of Austria, Cardinal Mazarin and the young Louis XIV, the palace has always been a place to see and be seen. Nowadays it seems more like the place to head for a quiet morning walk, and weekends are a bit busier. (Image Source 1 2 3)