Located in Nantes, France, Jardin des Plantes is one of the ten main parks of the city. It’s a seven-hectare botanical garden that’s home to over 10,000 species and 5,000 flowers. Aside from its exquisite flora collection, it also features vast greenhouses, lovely parks, stunning statues, and other immersive facilities. Each year, the garden also holds several exhibits to showcase the works of talented homegrown artists. Among the garden’s notable installations in the previous years include this whimsical topiary sculpture of a sleeping baby bird.
Aptly named Poussin Endormi, which means “sleepy chick,” this adorable installation features a massive baby bird napping peacefully in the middle of the lush garden. Designed by French children’s book author and illustrator Claude Ponti, the sculpture was part of the garden’s exhibition in 2014. Featuring artfully trimmed foliage and shrubs, the sculpture also comes complete with bamboo legs and a bright yellow beak. There are even lashes that outline the sleeping eyes of the chick!
This whimsical topiary sculpture of a sleeping baby bird graced the lush lawn of Jardin des Plantes in 2014
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Leaning against the park’s Giant Bench, it’s safe to assume that the chick must have had a tiring day at the park! Well, it seems like it’s not the only, as visitors have spotted other birds casually dozing off throughout the garden too.
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Although these sleepy chicks were only part of a temporary installation, Ponti’s La Dormanron, a topiary of a sleeping koala, remains a permanent attraction along with other small-scale installations
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Ponti often takes inspiration from the “nonsense world of dreams” and adds a humorous twist to it. Indeed, this playful concept is evident in his illustration style, character design, as well as topiary masterpieces. So, if you happen to visit the beautiful city of Nantes anytime soon, be sure to drop by the Jardin des Plantes to see Ponti’s works up close and personal!
Source: Jardin des Plantes