The centrally-located Jardin des Tuileries is one of Paris’ most visited gardens and one of the most kid-friendly spots in the city. Our family enjoyed exploring the gardens as we walked from the Louvre to the Champs-Élysée.
The centrally-located Jardin des Tuileries (Tuileries Gardens) is one of Paris‘ most visited gardens and one of the most kid-friendly spots in the city. The gardens are located in the 1st arrondissement on the Right Bank and run between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Catherine de Medicis first imagined the creation of a garden for the Tuileries Palace in 1564 and the design was later completed by André Le Notre who also designed the gardens at Versailles for Louis XIV. The gardens became a public park some time after the French Revolution and the people of Paris have been enjoying them ever since.
We visited the Jardin des Tuileries on the day of our vacation that was the most packed with activities. We began the day at Notre Dame Cathedral and Saint-Chapelle before walking to the Louvre and spending a couple of hours enjoying the collections. After leaving the Louvre, we walked through the gardens on our way to the Champs-Élysée and the Arc de Triomphe. Emma was already quite tired from all the walking that we had been doing so a play in the gardens was a welcome change of pace.
We had been hoping to have an opportunity to sail boats on the ponds in either Jardin des Tuileries or Jardin du Luxembourg, however, our March visit seemed to be a little early for boating season as there were none to be rented. A couple of weeks probably would have made a difference as when we arrived on March 10th there wasn’t even water in the pond at Jardin du Luxembourg but it had been filled by our last walk-through on March 18th. Fortunately, Emma didn’t know what she was missing and we enjoyed walking in the statue-studded formal gardens, admiring the fountains and people-watching as Parisians basked in the lovely spring day.
Strolling in the Jardin des Tuileries, admiring the perfectly manicured trees
As in Luxembourg Gardens, there are metal garden chairs available for the use of visitors in the Jardins des Tuileries. Most people seem to congregate around the ponds – reading, chatting, having a snack or just relishing the view.
Fountain in the Jardin des Tuileries
Emma enjoying a break in Tuileries Gardens
There are numerous interesting sculptures to see in the gardens, including this one of Diana the Huntress which Emma quite liked.
Sculptures in Tuileries Gardens
This whimsical art installation (“Flowers that Bloom at Midnight”) by Yayoi Kusama was definitely the most interesting thing we saw in the otherwise formally-designed gardens.
Art display in Jardin des Tuileries
There is a lovely old-fashioned carousel in the gardens which Emma was keen to ride. The panels at the top of the carousel are each painted with charming images of Paris such as the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower. There are other children’s play areas in the gardens as well as pony rides (which I assume are seasonal as we didn’t see any) and from mid-June through August there is a carnival set up on site.
Carousel in Tuileries Gardens
Emma riding the Tuileries Carousel
Tuileries Carousel (photo courtesy of my daughter, Katie)
If time had not been short on the day of our stroll in the gardens then we would have included a visit to Musée de l’Orangerie which is in the west end of the garden close to the Seine. This compact museum displays the gigantic paintings of Claude Monet’s Water Lilies series on oval walls that were designed to Monet’s specifications in order to provide 360 degree views of the artwork. The museum also features the work of a few other impressionist artists. On the terrace of the Orangerie there are sculptures by Auguste Rodin, including Le Baiser (The Kiss) which I would have loved to see. The next time that I’m in Paris this museum will be a priority.
Even though our March visit was in the off-season when the gardens weren’t at their peak, they are still a lovely place for a stroll and for kids to burn off steam and get some fresh air, particularly after a museum visit. (My husband also advises that the gardens are a great place for a morning jog.)
We had a glimpse of what the Jardin des Tuileries would be like later in the season as it was such a lovely day when we were there, however, I can only imagine how beautiful the gardens would be later in the spring or in the summer with flowers blooming and children sailing boats on the pond. Clearly a return visit is in order so that I can experience the gardens at the peak of their loveliness.
What You Need To Know
- The Jardin des Tuileries is located on the Right Bank between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde.
- The garden is open daily, however, hours vary by time of year. July/August: 7am-11pm; April-June and September: 7:30am – 9pm; and October – March: 7:30am-7:30pm.
- Walking on the grass is strictly forbidden (Pelouse Interdite) in many French gardens including this one.
- The Musée de l’Orangerie is closed on Tuesdays.
- A ride on the Carousel costs 2.5 Euros.
- There are snack bars and drink stands scattered around the park and there is a café near the centre of the park.
- Toilets are located by the Place de la Concorde entrance.
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Sonja
I just love that park. So peaceful.
Mary@The World Is A Book
Paris definitely has two of the most beautiful parks and great for kids. They also have the fanciest carousels. So glad to hear you managed to visit the park and unwind despite a hectic day. I’ve always wanted to visit Musée de l’Orangerie to see thosse waterlilies. Welcome back =)
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Sonja – I love this park too – I think if I lived in Paris I would spend a lot of time here with a book just sitting around soaking up the beauty!
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Heather – Luxembourg Gardens is also beautiful and was just a few minutes walk from where we were staying. We made it there twice but didn’t have the best weather for our walks. We went for a walk there on a arrival day which was cool and blustery and we were exhausted and we went back on our last day to go to the theatre and it was raining a bit. Would love to go back to see it as well – flowers were just being planted as we left and I could tell that it was going to be beautiful!!
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Mary! I love everything about Paris but the parks and carousels certainly rank up there. 🙂 Next time I will definitely be going to Musée de l’Orangerie – I have to see the waterlilies!
InACents
There is just something about properly placed curtains (on the carousel) that add the right amount of elegance. Did you manage to bring any of the topiaries home in your luggage?
Lisa Goodmurphy
@InACents – Yes, the French certainly know how to do elegant! Would have loved to bring a few of those topiaries home to line my driveway – but they might look a bit out of place in a Canadian winter. 🙂
Lisa
Gee I love Paris. What great photos! I’m currently reading Hemingway’s ‘A Moveable Feast’ so I’ve been thinking of Paris quite a bit and how I think we’re due a visit very soon.
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Lisa – We just returned from a 9 day stay in Paris and it was wonderful! I haven’t read “A Moveable Feast” yet – it’s on my list of great books that I have to read someday. 🙂
Becca@R We There Yet Mom?
What a beautiful day for you to enjoy it too! And that has to be the prettiest carousal I have ever seen!
Thanks for linking up!!
~Becca
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Becca! Carousels are another thing that the French do really well! 🙂
TravelPurpose
LOVE the Tuileries! I remember sitting on a park bench after my first visit to the Louvre and just soaking up the magnitude of all the art I had just witnessed.
Nicole at Arrows Sent Forth
I have such fond memories of relaxing in that park during both my trips to Paris. I’m with Emma, the Louvre is exhausting! 😉 Great photos!
Anne Patrone
Love the pictures! And now I’m trying to pick between Paris and Rome for next year’s anniversary trip . . . Paris and food or Rome and food??
The Time-Crunched Traveler (Ellen)
This park looks lovely! We’ve really got to get to Paris. Can we really call ourselves “travelers” if we’ve never been? Really enjoyed the updates via facebook. Hope the whole family had a great time.
Lisa Goodmurphy
@TravelPurpose – The Tuileries Gardens are such a lovely place to sit on a beautiful day – I think if I lived in Paris that I would spend far too much time there – just thinking.
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Nicole – This was our first time to Tuileries and I loved the gardens! Next visit there’ll be less time at the Louvre and more time in the gardens! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
@Anne – Paris or Rome? Definitely a tough choice! We’ve been to both in the last 8 months and I’d give a slight advantage to Paris – particularly for an anniversary trip. I may be a bit biased though – we spent part of our honeymoon in Paris! 🙂
Lisa Goodmurphy
Thanks, Ellen – we loved Paris! And, yes, you definitely have to go – start planning NOW!!
Lisa Wood
Gosh what a gorgeous Carousel – never seen one like it 😉
Paris sounds amazing. The photos are fantastic. Gardens are my favorite places to visit – they have such character and charm to them. The art display sure is bright – love how its there amongst the formal garden setting!
Cheers
Lisa
Jessica
Carousels in Europe are my favorites! There is just something so romantic about riding a carousel in a garden in Paris. And you captured it perfectly.
Sabrina
Beautiful! It’s such a nice and relaxing place. I know you’re not supposed to be on the grass, but on one visit to Paris, Marco and I walked so much that by the time we got to the jardin des tuileries all we could do is join the throngs of Parisians, lay down on the green grass right by the little arch, and enjoy the sun for a while instead of continuing on 🙂
Myra
We stayed near the Tuileries Gardens and loved the open space where the kids could freely run. When we were there in October, we also saw an interesting outdoor sculpture exhibit. It had our kids asking lots of questions and was one of our “art” highlights of the trip.
Lisa
I love the carousel and the view of the fountain. I have always wanted to see Paris. So far I have only been to the South of France. It’s so silly that you can’t walk on the grass in some of the parks.
Monique
*Sigh* I just love Paris.
Freya
I spend there once nearly all day laying around the water on a beautiful sunny day.
Lisa Goodmurphy
Freya, I’m afraid that if I lived in Paris that I would never do anything but lay around in the beautiful parks with a book! 😉
Jennifer Howze
I personally pick the Jardin du Luxembourg — I used to live about 10 minutes away and it’s my favourite Paris park.
But the Tuileries is my daughter’s. There’s the carousel. There are the trampolines (yes!) and it’s right near Angelina Paris cafe for the best hot chocolate on the planet. Salut!
Lisa Goodmurphy
I like them both! The apartment that we stayed in was just a few minutes walk from Luxembourg Gardens so we visited there more often.
BenRos
You’re absolutely right, the Jardins des Tuileries is one of the best park in Paris with its central location and with the castle, Concorde and Orsay in the background. It’s also perfect for families notably when the Tuileries Fair takes place and the whole place smells of cotton candy. If you’re looking for a hotel to get here with line 1 try the Hotel Napoleon near the Arc de Triomphe.