Avenue Lemerle Vetter

Avenue Lemerle Vetter. A seemingly ordinary name for a street in the bustling Parisian outskirts, wouldn’t you say? But don’t let its unassuming nature fool you. This avenue, my friends, holds a secret, a green oasis tucked away in the heart of Vitry-sur-Seine. Avenue Lemerle Vetter leads to Parc des Lilas, a sprawling expanse of nature covering almost 100 hectares. Imagine that, a countryside escape right here in the city! This wasn’t always a park, though. Back in the 20th century, this very spot was a hive of horticultural activity, a vast plateau dedicated to forcing flowers, especially lilacs. This technique encouraged blooms outside their typical season. This legacy lives on in the park’s very name – Parc des Lilas – a tribute to the fragrant flowers that once flourished here. Today, the park boasts an impressive variety of botanical specimens. Over 700 varieties of plants, including lilacs, roses, and fruit trees, thrive in the park’s departmental nursery. A testament to the area’s rich horticultural past. So, as we stroll down Avenue Lemerle Vetter, remember, we are walking in the footsteps of gardeners past, towards a green sanctuary born from a history of flowers.