Monday 3 November 2014

Japiot Park, Verdun

Ferdinand Japiot was born in Yonne (the north-western department of the Burgundy region) in 1825.  Sixty years later, in 1885, he retired to live in Verdun, with his wife who was a native of that city.  As a former engineer of water and forests, he became chairman of the society of Meuse horticulture and worked tirelessly to develop that society. He transformed it into a purchasing cooperative with members and a centre for horticultural research.  He died before his wish to provide the society with an experimental garden could be fulfilled and it was left to his widow to realise that dream.  In 1909 the Park and Pavilion were inaugurated in honour of the deceased chairman and, as a garden of horticulture and experimentation, the Japiot Park was given to the city in 1962 and in 2011 it was regenerated to provide new facilities and is now an ideal place for walks and relaxation.  This “green lung” is in the heart of Verdun and provides a place where families benefit from outdoor activities and is also a place where cultural events take place throughout the year.







2 comments:

  1. It looks a splendid place, and the leaves of the trees shining in the sunlight are delightful. I particularly like the reflection shot at the end, and the third one (the one that comes up on facebook).

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  2. Thanks, Alison - we were lucky enough to have sunshine on Saturday after a misty start to the day. The reflection shot has come out better than I hoped!

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