Barbapapa in the Jardin du Luxembourg
- Ruth Lintemeier
- Mar 26
- 2 min read
"Barbapapa" is one of those cartoon series that our children always watched with wide-open, amazed eyes. They loved the colorful, pear-shaped characters who could change their shape at will. They could call each of Barbapapa and Barbamama's seven children by name; they shouted the famous Barba transformation phrase "Ra-Ru-Rick, Barbatrick" (French: "Hup-Hup-Hup, Barbatruc") as they submerged themselves in the bathtub and resurfaced with a foamy head.
The first book was published in 1970, followed by ten more volumes. The idea for Barbapapa originated on May 19 of that year in the Jardin du Luxembourg, when San Francisco-born biology teacher Talus Taylor (1929-2015) was strolling through the park with his girlfriend, French architecture student Annette Tison (1942-2010). Amidst the hubbub, a child called out for "barbe à papa"—"Papa's beard," the French expression for cotton candy.
The couple later takes a breather at a restaurant. Perhaps near the Jardin du Luxembourg? Who knows. With the sound of "barbe à papa" ringing in their ears, they begin sketching a figure on the paper tablecloth—round and gently tapered, supple like freshly rolled cotton candy. Barbapapa comes to life, Barbamama and her children soon follow; and from then on, the extended family embarks on numerous adventures together.
What a delightful discovery! Now we're wandering through the Jardin du Luxembourg, while Barbapapa invisibly follows our footsteps. Barbamama is probably resting in the cool shade on a park bench. Barbabella, Barbaletta, and Barbalala are having fun on the carousel, while Barbarix, Barbawum, Barbabo, and Barbakus are giving their little sailboats a nudge in the water of the pond. Who knows? Some things in the Jardin only reveal themselves at second glance.
Here is a nice article about it:
