The winner of the last Book Prize Contest of the summer is Margaret Morton, Professor, School of Art, The Cooper Union. She wrote,

Your photographs immediately brought back fond memories of my wonderful morning walk in June, 2012, on the Promenade Plantée. It also is known as Coulée Verte, which literary means “green course” but is usually translated as "Tree-lined walkway" and is considered the first elevated park in the world. 

We began our leisurely stroll near the Opéra Bastille, where the walkway begins, and walked the entire length, descending a spiral staircase for lunch at a bistro. We stopped many times along our route to rest and enjoy the shaded benches and flower gardens. The variety of sensations was enticing. The landscape design was a series of surprises—formal gardens contrasted with informal, intimate spaces followed by public spaces. 

A friend had given me Susan Cahill's book Hidden Gardens of Paris, which was published in April 2012 and features 40 gardens [St. Martin's Press]. I recommend it highly. More details on the promenade here.

Thanks to everyone who entered the contest!