Tuileries Garden

Jardin des Tuileries
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Type	Public garden
Location	1st arrondissement of Paris, France
Coordinates	48°51′43″N 2°19′39″E / 48.86194°N 2.32750°E
Area	55 hectares (136 acres)
Designer	Catherine de' Medici, André Le Nôtre
Status	Open all year

Tuileries Garden (French: [ʒaʁdɛ̃ de tɥilʁi]) is a public garden located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde in the 1st arrondissement of Paris. Created by Catherine de' Medici in 1564 as the garden of the Tuileries Palace, it was opened to the public in 1667 and became a public park after the French Revolution. Covering an area of 55 hectares (136 acres), it is one of the most iconic parks in Paris.

History

The garden was originally commissioned in 1564 by Catherine de' Medici, who wanted a space near the Tuileries Palace that resembled the gardens she grew up with in Italy. The name "Tuileries" comes from the tile factories (tuileries) that previously occupied the site.

In 1664, the renowned landscape architect André Le Nôtre redesigned the garden into a formal French garden, with meticulous lawns, geometric paths, and ornamental lakes. Le Nôtre’s redesign turned the garden into a masterpiece of classical French landscape design, which heavily influenced other European gardens of the era.

During the French Revolution, the Tuileries Garden became a place for political gatherings and demonstrations. After the destruction of the Tuileries Palace in 1871, the garden became a standalone public space, further enhanced by additional sculptures and fountains.

Design and Layout

The garden is laid out in a formal style typical of French classical gardens, with symmetrical paths, well-manicured lawns, and reflecting pools. It is divided into two large sections:

The Grand Carré (Great Square), a formal area with ornamental ponds, surrounded by perfectly aligned trees and flower beds.
The Grand Couvert, a more wooded section offering shaded paths for strolling.

Several major landmarks are visible from the garden, including the Louvre Museum, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Place de la Concorde. The central axis of the garden aligns perfectly with the historical axis of Paris, running from the Louvre to the Axe historique.

Notable Monuments and Statues

The Tuileries Garden is home to numerous statues and fountains, created by some of the most renowned sculptors in history:

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, built by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1808, stands at the eastern entrance.
Sculptures by artists such as Auguste Rodin, Aristide Maillol, and Henry Moore are scattered throughout the garden.
The Grand Bassin, a large pond surrounded by chairs, offers a serene setting where visitors often relax and admire the view.
The Musee de l'Orangerie, located at the southwest corner of the garden, houses works of impressionist and post-impressionist artists, including Claude Monet’s famous water lilies.

Events and Cultural Significance

The Tuileries Garden has been a site for many significant historical events, from royal ceremonies to revolutionary gatherings. Today, it is used for:

Paris Fashion Week runway shows.
Annual fairs and public art installations, including contemporary sculpture exhibitions.
Leisure and relaxation, where visitors and locals alike enjoy walking, sunbathing, or picnicking.

Access

The Tuileries Garden is centrally located and accessible by several Paris Métro stations, including Tuileries on line 1 and Concorde on lines 1, 8, and 12. Entry to the garden is free, and it is open year-round.

Tuileries Garden Media

Plan of the Jardin des Tuileries
Plan for the palace and gardens by Jacques I Androuet du Cerceau, 1576–1579
Plan of the Tuileries garden in about 1589. The Louvre is to the right
Garden of Louis XIII in 1649–51
Tuileries Garden of Le Nôtre in the 17th century, looking west toward the future Champs-Élysées, engraving by Gabriel Perelle
Le Nôtre's Tuileries Garden plan, engraving by Israël Silvestre, 1671
The Carrousel of 5–6 June 1662 at the Tuileries, celebrating the birth of Louis XIV's son and heir
First flight of a hydrogen-filled balloon from garden on 1 December 1783
Fighting in the Tuileries Garden and massacre of Swiss Guards, 10 August 1792
Louis XVI makes his plea at his trial, in the Salle du Manège, or riding school in the gardens, 26 December 1792