A Quick Escape to Sceaux

The Paris Vignettes series features the inspired work of street photographer William “Bill” O’Such in themed installments

A friend and I were on the hunt for a nearby adventure. We opened our well-worn copies of Annabel Simms’s books, An Hour from Paris and Half an Hour from Paris, and settled on a trip to the Parc de Sceaux. Just 15 minutes away by express RER train from Châtelet–Les Halles, it felt like an instant escape.

We followed the guide from the Bourg-la-Reine station, and after a few turns, our path was suddenly framed by meticulously manicured trees that led us to the château. As we walked around it, we were immersed in a spectacular world of uniquely sculpted trees and a perfectly aligned pond. We spotted a group of young women dressed in elaborate outfits, and we were told they had made the costumes themselves, inspired by bandes dessinées, or comic books.

The park itself is a work of art. The small hills lead the eye to a focal point, and the open spaces are framed by trees that line the walking paths, creating a sense of peace, like a meditation class. As I was composing a photo, a runner passed through, completing the frame perfectly. We even saw a cute dog happily wandering between the trees, following his companion toward the next tranquil spot.

On our way out, we discovered a stunning fountain carefully composed of shells. We then decided to explore the town of Sceaux itself and realized it would be a perfect place for anyone who wants to live outside of Paris but still be very close- so we shared that insight with a friend looking for a place. After a delicious lunch at the recently opened Crêperie Les Voiles Rouges, we made our way back to the artistic train station and were whisked back to Paris.

“Du coup” (yes, pun intended), another adventure was checked off our list, fulfilling our goal of exploring the areas around Paris. For more pictures, visit my website.