L'Illustration, No. 0031, 30 Septembre 1843

The grand Orangerie of the Louvre buzzes with excitement as the Parisian Circle of Horticulture opens its annual exhibition. Visitors wander among dazzling displays of daubentonia tripetiana, Japanese paulownia, fragrant asclepias and countless dahlias, roses, and camellias, while tropical palms and a striking, glossy‑green pineapple draw gasps of admiration. The air is scented with fresh blossoms and ripe fruit, turning the hall into a living gallery of nature’s finest achievements.

Amid the splendor, the jury presents medals to the season’s most outstanding growers. A triumphant Mr. Barbier receives the top honor for his flawless dahlias, and the crowd marvels at the unprecedented variety of remontant roses that bloom as vividly in September as in May. Speeches by society leaders celebrate the scientific progress of horticulture and call for greater state support, hinting at a future where gardens become classrooms for eager young botanists.