About Tuileries Garden
History of the Tuileries Garden
The Tuileries Garden has a colorful past, beginning in 1564 when the widow of King Henri II, Queen Catherine de’ Medici, hired an Italian architect Bernard de Carnesse to construct the Palais des Tuileries and an Italian-style garden over a huge open field. Henri IV, Louis XIV, and Napoleon Bonaparte were a few of the French kings that used the castle as their home.
A magnanery and an orangery were built at the start of the 17th century to add to the allure of the garden. Louis XIV commissioned André Le Nôtre, a renowned landscape architect of the time, in 1664 to redesign the garden. One of the most interesting Tuileries garden facts is that the garden was then built in a then-popular French style that is still intact. Le Notre designed a huge center path through the garden, with an octagonal-shaped pond and a large circular pond at the east end. He constructed a terrace next to the water near the quays and the Feuillants terrace next to the “Rue de Rivoli.”
Many magnificent marble statues were later installed inside Tuileries Garden, which are still intact. In 1719, two statues that each featured the famed Mercury astride his winged horse were added to the main entryway to provide some life. Tuileries Palace was destroyed in the People’s Revolution of 1871, but the garden was saved and subsequently turned into a public park.
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Inside Tuileries Garden
This section inside Tuileries Garden resembles a traditional French garden as it was modeled after the gardens of the Italian Renaissance. It is symmetrical in design and located near the Louvre Museum. Once a part of Louis Philippe's and Napoleon III's private gardens, it was built so that royals could see the garden's splendor from Tuileries Palace. Ornamented with low hedges, lovely sculptures, and ponds, it is one of the most beautiful sections of the garden.
The Grand Couvert is the central part inside Tuileries Garden that connects with the Grande Allée. The section is entirely surrounded by big trees, creating a beautiful path. Andre Le Nôtre is thought to have overseen the tree plantation. However, only a small percentage of the trees in Grand Couvert are more than 200 years old; the majority are relatively recent.
The horseshoe ramps in the garden are situated in the Octagon, which is an open space encircling the Octagon Grand Basin pond. These ramps lead to the garden's bordering terraces and are one of the most popular sites inside Tuileries Garden for offering beautiful views of the Place de la Concorde and the garden.
Activities for children
Sailing little boats in the Grand Basin has been one of the most loved things to do in the Tuileries garden amongst Parisian kids since 1850. Furthermore, this activity has become a tradition for all visitors to the garden. Small colorful boats are available for rent on the Grand Basin, which kids can borrow from the available fleet with their preferred color sail and row on the Grand Basin.
The Louvre Garden's play area, located close to the Castiglione entrance, was constructed in 2015. It features a variety of exciting little rides and fun-filled activities for children. Children can spend some free time here having fun on a slide, swings, and roundabouts. A rope bridge with divisions located next to the Grand Couvert section is one of the most fascinating things to do in the Tuileries garden for children.
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This stunning carousel at Tuileries Garden attracts kids for its beautiful display of white, vibrant, and gold colors. Another highlight is that the Carousel also features some themes of the renowned books of famous French author Charles Perrault. This thrilling attraction is accessible via the Castiglione entrance, and a minimal price is required to ride a horse-shaped carousel and enjoy some exciting and pleasurable moments.
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Jumping on the trampolines is one of the most thrilling things to do in the Tuileries Garden for children over the age of two. These are placed north of the garden, near the Octagonal Basin, offering stunning scenery of a magnificent pond, terrace, and lush landscape. After having fun on the trampolines, youngsters will enjoy exploring the many sculptures and taking in stunning views of the Place de la Concorde.
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Facts about Tuileries Garden
The garden was a part of the royal palace, which served as the home to several French kings. Fortunately, the Tuileries Garden withstood the assault, which destroyed the palace in 1871 during a violent uprising, and has been accessible to the public ever since.
In 1664, renowned landscape architect André Le Nôtre restored the garden, changing it into a lush oasis. The Tuileries Garden embodies the soul of Paris with its lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, and exquisite statues.
Two museums that exhibit contemporary visual art are located within the Tuileries Garden. Impressionist and post-impressionist paintings are displayed in abundance at the magnificent Musée de l'Orangerie, while some of the best media and photographs are on display at the Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume.
After the assassination of Henry IV, Louis XIII of France, then nine years old, became the legal successor and acquired ownership of this garden. He turned the Tuileries Garden into his own play place, utilizing it for keeping a variety of exotic animals and hunting.
Bernard de Carnesse, a renowned landscape architect, was in charge of designing this garden like an Italian renaissance. He gave the garden a breathtaking dimension using a labyrinth, various sculptures, fountains, plant and animal motifs, and a cave.
Know Before You Go
- How to Reach:
By Metro: Closest metro stations are Tuileries, on lines 1, and Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre on lines 1 and 7.
By Bus: Bus lines 42, 72, 82, and DIRECT 1 serve the garden and stop at the Champ de Mars and Champ de Mars - Suffren stops, only a 2-minute walk away from the garden.
By Car: The garden is located in the heart of Paris and is easily accessible from any area. 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier has an underground parking garage from which you can enter the museum through the Galerie du Carrousel.
Location: 1 Jardin des Tuileries, 75001 Paris
Opening Hours- 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM (January to March, October to December)- 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM (April, May, and September)- 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM (June, July, and August)
Tips Before Visiting Tuileries Garden
Do not sit on the grass or litter around to maintain the Tuileries Garden's tidiness and beauty.
Nature lovers will find countless possibilities to take in the surroundings and art enthusiasts will love exploring ancient statues scattered throughout the lanes, ranging from the seventeenth century to contemporary.
Spend some lovely moments while relishing a sandwich and coffee from one of the park's cafés and stunning surroundings.
Speak softly because the French like murmuring distinctly.
People in Paris do not immediately speak English, so learn a little bit of French. First, speak French, and then you may converse in English.
Do not embrace. Instead, when meeting one another in public, adhere to the custom of giving the other person an air kiss on the cheek.
Schedule a free guided visit if you speak French, and if not, a paid guided tour is a wonderful way to see the garden, learn about its significance, and more.
Tuileries Garden FAQs
Where is the Tuileries Garden?
The Tuileries Garden is situated between the Louvre Museum, Paris, and the Place de la Concorde.
What is the Tuileries Garden?
The Tuileries Garden is a huge public park located close to the Louvre Museum, Paris. The Garden represents the soul of Paris with its lush vegetation, vibrant flowers, and exquisite statues. Children's play areas, little ponds, diverse plants, captivating flowers, hedges, and shady trees all contribute to the garden's picturesque surroundings.
What are the opening hours of the Tuileries Garden?
The opening hours of the Tuileries Garden differ for seasons. It is open from 7:00 AM TO 11:00 PM from June to August and from 7:00 AM TO 9:00 PM in April, May, and September. In the months January to March and October to December, it is open from 7:30 AM TO 7:30 PM.
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What can I see at the Tuileries Garden?
There are diverse plants, trees, ponds, fountains, and ancient to modern sculptures inside Tuileries Garden. The abundance of captivating attractions and exciting things to do in the Tuileries garden makes it one of the most sought-after family-friendly destinations in Paris.
Who designed the Tuileries Garden?
The Tuileries Garden was primarily designed by Bernard de Carnesse and André Le Nôtre.
What sculptures can I see at the Tuileries Garden?
The Tuileries Garden is adorned with statues and vases dating back to the 18th century. Etienne Jules Ramey's "Theseus and the Minotaur" and Giovanni Comino's "Hercules" are two of the most well-known sculptures present inside the Tuileries Garden.
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