Diana memorial garden opens in Paris

A Paris garden has been dedicated to the memory of the late Princess Diana

PARIS, France -- A garden dedicated to the memory of Britain's Princess Diana has been officially opened in Paris.

French officials say the flower beds -- France's official memorial to the Princess -- will eventually bloom, providing a place for children to learn about flowers, plants, vegetables and respect for the environment.

But critics have scoffed at the project, laid out in a school courtyard, dubbing it "1,000 square metres of leeks."

"Through this place I wanted to pay tribute to a woman whose generous heart showed her deep fondness for nature and human relations, particularly with children," Paris mayor Jean Tiberi said as he opened the garden on Wednesday.

Diana's companion, Dodi Fayed, also died in the crash

Diana -- the former wife of Britain's heir to the throne, Prince Charles -- died in Paris in August 1997.

She was in a car which crashed at high speed while being pursued by photographers. Her companion, Dodi Fayed, and their driver, Henri Paul, were also killed.

But Diana's name is the only one featured on a plaque outside the memorial garden, in the central Marais district of Paris.

One local councillor complained that the princess deserved a grander honour than a "vegetable plot."

But British officials have enthusiastically endorsed the site.

"There could be no better tribute to her memory than a garden where young children can play and learn about nature," said Michael Jay, Britain's ambassador to France.

Reuters contributed to this report.

Diana crash: Paparazzi cleared of blame
October 31, 2000
French judges wrap up probe into Diana's death
January 29, 1999

Diana, Princess of Wales

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.