Tuileries Garden

Overview

Stretching magnificently between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries is Paris's oldest and most central public park. It acts as an elegant, highly manicured, tree-lined promenade through the heart of the city.

Highlights

• The Grand Allée: The sweeping, perfectly straight central pathway offering stunning visual alignments ending at the Arc de Triomphe.
• The Basins: Two massive circular ponds where locals gather to relax in the iconic green metal reclining chairs on sunny days.
• Sculptures: Features impressive works ranging from classical bronzes to modern pieces by Aristide Maillol and Auguste Rodin.

History

Created in 1564 by Catherine de' Medici as the private garden for the now-destroyed Tuileries Palace. It was magnificently redesigned in 1664 by André Le Nôtre—the same landscape architect behind Versailles—cementing the formal, geometric French garden style. It was the first royal garden opened to the public.

Visitor Tips

• Pacing: It offers zero shade in the central avenue during the peak summer heat; walk through the shaded side groves instead.
• The Funfair: Every summer, a massive, traditional funfair (the Fête des Tuileries) takes over the northern edge of the park.
• Duration: 45–60 minutes.