Gorgeous Bubble Gardens Pop Up in the Streets of Paris

These beautiful <a href="http://inhabitat.com/eden-project-giant-bubble-biomes-are-worlds-largest-greenhouse/">bubble gardens</a> recently popped up in the streets of Paris to offer passersby a bit of respite from their concrete environs. Designer <a href="http://www.jardinsdebabylone.fr/Designer-1-en.html">Amaury Gallon</a> created each bubble sanctuary with a unique environmental inspiration. One hosts a jungle, while another garden features hundreds of amazing orchids woven into the metal structure that frames these transparent igloo-shaped rooms.

The bubble gardens were sponsored by The Dutch Flower Council to celebrate the popularity of houseplants in Paris (a recent study showed that 8 out of 10 French homes have indoor plants). The 4 pop-up structures served as walk-in greenhouses and spaces for reverie amid the city's urban environment. The giant bubbles were installed from November 26th through the 28th in Gare Montparnasse, Place Saint Germain, Bercy Village and Place Colette. Those entering the exhibition, formally called "<a href="http://www.mabulleetmoi.fr/">Ma Bulle, Ma Plante, &amp; Moi</a>" (My Bubble, My Plant &amp; Me), enjoyed the beauty and fresh air of the surrounding foliage. The organizers, inspired by <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/15_minutes_of_fame">Andy Warhol</a>'s saying that everyone gets their "15 minutes of fame", wanted all who visited the bubbles to have their "15 minutes of green!" The Dutch Flower Council's study also found other interesting statistics -- 17% of respondents have plants in their office, and 16% have plants both at home and work. What is a bit disappointing, and unexpected, was that the majority of non-plant owners were in the youthful age group of 18-24. When questioned on the reasons for owning <a href="http://inhabitat.com/grobal-green-techno-organic-self-watering-planters/">houseplants</a>, the study's most popular response was that <a href="http://inhabitat.com/andrea-reaches-u-s-houseplants-to-filter-air/">breathing fresh air</a> and observing the plants bought serenity, calmness, and closeness to nature. We love that this exhibition used highly engaging strategies to promote the benefits of humans connecting with plants.