Carousel in Parc des Buttes Chaumont
It was only on my third visit to this park
that I discovered the petite, colorful carousel.
The top makes me think of le Petit Prince
with its stars, moon, and rocket ship.
The rides are over-sized rabbits, cats, and other animals,
along with a rocket and a fire truck.
The park itself is beautiful, particularly in the spring,
but has a checkered past.
It is close to Gibet de Montfaucon,
a notorious site where criminals were hanged
and their bodies put on display
from the 13th century until mid-18th century.
After the French Revolution it became a refuse dump,
and then a spot for cutting up horse carcasses.
Baron Haussmann chose this site for a new park
for the rapidly growing population of the 19th and 20th arrondissements.
Work began in 1864 and the park was opened on April 1, 1867.
To see the park today one would never imagine its nefarious history.
Parc des Buttes Chaumont
75019, Paris
Métros Buttes Chaumont et Botzaris
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