Who wants to ride underground, or even above ground, walking is sublime in Paris. I have been lucky to have worked in the city for several years, and always at beautiful spots. None better , however, than right next to the Jardin des Tuileries. A sublime spot in my eternal Paris.
Of course, I have written before on it, but never enough of this magnificent garden right in the middle of the grandeur of Paris and my belle France. All points should start from here into the Louvre, Place Vendôme, Opéra Garnier, Pl de la Concorde, Avenue des Champs-Elysées, well you get an idea. I have written of my previous jobs politically correct before too.
I like to bring some new information , some wonderful description on the Jardin des Tuileries from my brochure taken from the Louvre museum. And of course, some photos of my walkabout to work coming here for lunch or just plain air and dreams, you can dream big in Paris too, it goes with the place.
The Jardin des Tuileries, of major historical importance, covers 22.4 hectares. It has surrounded by three small gardens along the rue de Rivoli extends the jardin de l’Oratoire or Oratory garden (4,500 m2), and, facing the Seine, the jardin de l’Infante (3,900 m2) and the jardin Raffet (1,250 m2). These small gardens are not accessible to the public. In the heart of Paris, located between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde and bordered by the Seine and the Rue de Rivoli. Since 2005, the Louvre museum has managed and implemented it in value, it has also been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, as part of the “Rives de la Seine”.
Since the Middle Ages, tilers and potters have been active at this location, hence the name “Tuileries” , even a tile factory by the middle part facing the Seine river. In the 16C, the garden was ordered by Catherine de Medici, the widow of King Henry II, and ordered built Palais des Tuileries (gone since 1883 but see post) that she was designing. The garden of course was done first by a native of it, André Le Nôtre. First royal garden, it became in the 17C one of the first Parisian gardens open to the public. There are a few big names in landscaping to remember: André Le Nôtre, who redesigned the garden from 1664, and, recently, Pascal Cribier and Louis Benech, who renovated it as part of the “Grand Louvre”.
Originally, the garden was exclusively reserved for the royal family and the court. During the reign of Louis XIV, it opened up to the promenade for honest people: it should be shown there, as if on parade. But it was during the French revolution that attendance democratised. The people can finally enjoy the garden that has become national property. First reserved for royal or imperial children, like Louis XIII or the King of Rome, it becomes the favorite playground for children, whoever they are from.
Henri IV had white mulberries planted on the Terrasse des Feuillants, essential for the breeding of silkworms , an industry he wished to develop. The great inventor of the gardens of Louis XIV, André Le Nôtre innovates by opening a perspective towards the future avenue des Champs-Elysées. The garden evolves from an “Italian” style to a “French” style. As for gardeners, they are committed to preserving the environment by recycling waste, outlawing any chemical weed killer and using insects to fight against pests. At the jardin des Tuileries, the walker also discovers an open-air museum. Statues began to adorn it at the beginning of the 18C, first for the approval of the very young Louis XV. Since then, the garden has never ceased to be enriched with works of primary importance and hosts each fall the International Fair of Contemporary Art. As for the plant heritage, it is rich and varied, with more than thirty-five species of trees. In the Grand Couvert, they provide shade and freshness, while the flower beds of the Grand Carré mix perennial and annual plants in subtle combinations, renewed each year.
The first Motor Show in 1898 was held here. Artists have always taken the jardin des Tuileries as their motif: the Impressionists, such as Claude Monet, painted its light and colors in a radically innovative way. Even today, this garden inspires and welcomes the avant-garde of creation. The recent reconstruction of the bivouacs of the 14-18 war is part of this commemorative tradition. The jardin des Tuileries welcomed Polish ambassadors there in 1574 or Turkish ambassadors with Mehemet Effendi in 1721. Under the French revolution the funeral ceremony of August 27, 1792 was held there, or the saltpeter feast on March 10, 1794. In 1810, the procession of the marriage of Napoleon and Marie-Louise crosses the beautifully paved garden. Throughout the 19C and whatever the regimes, the official festivals were numerous. During the 1900 World Fair, the Banquet of Mayors brought together 22,000 elected officials. Before the Great War or WWI, monuments were erected to the glory of Republican legislators Jules Ferry and Waldeck-Rousseau.
In the summer of 2020, flowering will herald the exhibition Le Corps et l’Âme, or the body and the soul, which will be devoted this fall to Italian Renaissance sculpture. The art gardeners were inspired by Michelangelo’s famous “Slaves”, but also by reliefs of the “Bacchante delirious”, a decorative frieze by Mino da Fiesole, a sarcophagus. From these sculptures, they sought to transcribe the expressions of the body and the movements of the soul. Shades of flaming red evoke violent movements, pink and mauve harmonies the grace of light drapes. As for the soul, it is suggested by the texture of the plants, sometimes vaporous, sometimes architectural. Planted in May and June, the annual flowers give their measure throughout the summer until mid-October. They are supported by perennial plants, which last longer. A total of 2,600 m2 of flowerbeds are available to walkers, with signage explanations.
The Paris tourist office on the Jardin des Tuileries in English: Paris tourist office on the Jardin des Tuileries
I came to work on rue de Castiglione corner of rue de Rivoli facing the side main entrance to the Jardin des Tuileries going to the Place Vendôme! It was magical just to go out for lunch or catch air and walk around it , inside of it! Very strong moments seeing Paris as it really is, in all seasons , and even coming with the family on weekends. Not to leave out the wonderful other museums of the Orangerie facing the Seine, and Paume facing rue de Rivoli and both out to the Place de la Concorde. Walking it octagonal basin and the pigeons is just very romantic me think. Then, you move along the allée centrale to the big basin and even now little boats awaits you. Before facing the wonderful Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.
However, my main take was the part inside but along rue de Rivoli, going to the pavillon Marsan and now the musée des arts décoratifs. There is a big green space before it and just love to sit and watch the world go by from the inside. All of it on the side you could enjoy rides from the forains wheels and loops and the works good for the whole family and great to see the little ones enjoy themselves for a break from work. There is the Exédre square garden which was the meeting point of collègues!!! Right by the exit on rue de Rivoli into rue de Castiglione you have a nice carrousel, wonderful. On the other side you have a children’s playground. You can see the obelisk of the pl Vendôme right from the garden on this area. Just magical!!! The jardin des Tuileries memories forever and glad to have found it. I go by when visiting the city just for a walk and also meeting old collègues.
You will notice two wonderful sculptures going up the stairs from the Jardin des Tuileries exit into the rue de Rivoli, these are wonderful me think and they are done by Auguste-Nicolas CaÏn . The one on your left hand side is in bronze “Le rhinocéros attaqué par un tigre” or the rhino attacked by a tiger , dates from 1882/1884 ,and on your right hand side also in bronze « Le lion et la lionne se disputant un sanglier » or the lion and the lioness fighting over a boar dates from 1875/1882. My eternal Paris!
Hope you enjoy this rather personal post, but of course Paris is open to the world and on the jardin des Tuileries you find peace!
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all!!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 
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