Deník Marie Bashkirtseff

Bois de Boulogne

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Place places/social Basic Aktualizováno: 2026-03-06
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Research Status: Comprehensive Last Updated: 2026-02-10 Diary Coverage: Throughout Paris years (1877-1884)

Overview

The Bois de Boulogne is a large public park on the western edge of Paris (16th arrondissement), covering 845 hectares. During Marie Bashkirtseff's time, it was the preeminent venue for fashionable Parisian society to see and be seen. Marie's daily carriage rides through the Bois were a central ritual of her social life in Paris, and the park appears throughout her diary as a backdrop for social observation, romantic longing, and displays of elegance.

Historical Context

Transformation Under Napoleon III

The Bois de Boulogne was transformed from a neglected royal hunting forest into a magnificent public park between 1852 and 1858, under the direction of Napoleon III and Baron Haussmann. Inspired by London's Hyde Park (which Napoleon had admired during his exile in England), the park was redesigned with:
  • Two artificial lakes (Lac Superieur and Lac Inferieur) with islands and grottoes
  • Winding carriage paths and riding trails
  • The Longchamp racecourse (opened 1857)
  • Restaurants and cafes (Pre Catelan, Pavillon d'Armenonville)
  • Cascading waterfalls and grottos
  • The Jardin d'Acclimatation (1860)

The Daily Promenade (1870s-1880s)

After the disruptions of the Franco-Prussian War and the Commune, social life in the Bois resumed from 1872. Every afternoon, typically between 2:00 and 4:00 PM, the wealthy of Paris staged an elaborate promenade:
  • Elegant carriages (caleches, victorias, landaus) circled the lakes
  • Ladies displayed the latest fashions from Worth, Doucet, and other couturiers
  • Gentlemen rode horseback alongside the carriages
  • The parade was both a social ritual and a display of wealth and status
  • Specific routes and stopping points were understood by all participants

Racing at Longchamp

The Longchamp racecourse within the Bois hosted major racing events:
  • The Grand Prix de Paris (established 1863)
  • The Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe (established later, in 1920)
  • Race days were major social occasions, drawing all of Parisian high society
  • Marie attended races and observed the spectacle of fashion and competition

Significance for Marie

Social Stage

The Bois de Boulogne was Marie's primary arena for social display in Paris:
  • Daily afternoon carriage rides to observe and be observed
  • Opportunities to encounter specific individuals she was interested in
  • A venue for displaying elegant dress and equipage
  • A measure of one's social standing based on who acknowledged whom

Artistic Subject

As a landscape and social scene, the Bois provided:
  • Subject matter for observation and potential artistic inspiration
  • The Impressionists (Monet, Renoir, Berthe Morisot) also painted scenes in the Bois during this period
  • The interplay of light, foliage, and fashion that characterized the era

Romantic Setting

Marie frequently used the Bois as a backdrop for her romantic preoccupations:
  • Hoping to encounter the Duke of Hamilton during spring gatherings
  • Observing handsome riders and elegant carriages
  • Fantasizing about encounters with admired figures

Social Calendar

The Bois marked the rhythm of the Parisian social year:
  • Spring: The "reunion du printemps" (spring gathering) when society returned after winter
  • Summer: Peak season for afternoon promenades
  • Autumn: Continued riding and driving as weather permitted
  • Winter: Social activity shifted to indoor venues

Cultural Significance

The Bois de Boulogne in the 1870s-1880s represented:

  • Bourgeois display: The new industrial wealth alongside old aristocracy
  • Fashion showcase: Where new styles were first publicly displayed
  • Social hierarchy made visible: The quality of one's carriage and horses signaled status
  • Gender performance: Women displayed themselves; men evaluated and pursued
  • Literary inspiration: Featured prominently in works by Zola (Nana), Flaubert, Maupassant, and Proust

Geography

Key areas within the Bois that Marie would have known:

  • Allee des Acacias: The most fashionable promenade route
  • Lac Inferieur: Central gathering point with boat rentals
  • Longchamp: The racecourse
  • Pre Catelan: Elegant restaurant and garden
  • Bagatelle: Rose garden and chateau
  • Cascade: Artificial waterfall, popular destination

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