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Park Paul Mistral
Stendhal, Grenoble, France
Teacher: Anne Boursier
When we enter
the park the golden vividness of the trees is more beautiful than we could ever have
imagined. We are struck by the crimson and yellow leaves gently floating down to finally
meet the brown soil.
Today, the park is deserted: the cold crispness of the coming snow is keeping park goers at home. On summer days however the freezing air is warmed by the constant cry of happiness of children on the playground, of lovers on the park benches and of newly weds floating down the steps of the town hall.
Towering above
us, the gloomy town hall rules over the extensive park. The French and European flags flap
proudly in the winter wind as if they were having an everlasting argument. In the centre
of the building, a mosaic floor bears a contemporary puzzling sculpture. Thirteen floors
of countless windows stretch up towards the clouds. Surrounding the town hall, the bright
coloured trees make the grey, concrete walls look even darker and duller than usual.
From a
distance, the Perret Tower, half hidden in a curtain of autumn leaves, seems to invite us
to admire it. Constructed in 1925, for an exhibition, it attracted tourists, offering a
panoramic view of Grenoble's captivating mountains. Today, this is no longer the case. The
closer we get, the more disappointed we become. It has lost its majestic appearance. Its
metal frame, sticking out of its concrete body, witnesses its old age. The only task it is
able to undertake today is to indicate the points of a compass. How far into the
millennium will the tower stand to direct us? As you walk towards the 'Palais des Sports',
leaves rustle under your feet. This imposing structure with a star-shaped roof, built for
the Winter Olympics in 1968, is now used for numerous events such as shows, concerts,
races and ice-skating. On the outdoor roller blading rink we can watch people falling,
laughing and screaming with joy.
Strolling
around the park, a pungent smell reaches us before we actually notice the goats and deer.
Young children come here especially on summer days to feed carrots, lettuce and bread to
the animals which stare at us longingly. On such a freezing day as today, the animals
remain forgotten. Our presence wakes their appetite and they rush towards us hopefully.
But, unfortunately for them, we have nothing to offer.
On this bitter, grey, November afternoon, the Olympic Bowl of 1968 seems to be a sad, forever forgotten souvenir. The freezing water, gushing out of the fountain at its base, reflects the gloomy light of a lamppost. In 1968, it reflected the red, flickering flame and the glory and excitement of the games. The simple grey structure, unnoticed by the roaring traffic passing by, is illuminated on special occasions.
The sad and happy events engraved in every tree, every leaf and every park bench will forever remain. This, our own outing, is one of the many other memories of the park.
4eme levels 3 and 4
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