One of the most remarkable places in the 1st arrondissement of Paris is a public garden known as Tuileries Garden or Jardin des Tuileries in French. The garden separates the famous Louvre Museum from the Place de la Concorde. This beautiful garden was created by Catherine de Medici when she built the Tuileries Palace in 1564 but became a public park soon after the French Revolution in the late eighteenth century. After undergoing numerous changes, Tuileries Garden has turned into a place where Parisians go to celebrate, relax and stroll.
For centuries, Tuileries Garden has been a cultural walking place for Parisians and tourists. Initially, the garden was home to the Tuileries Palace, which was later destroyed in 1871. It was previously reserved for royal families until late eighteenth century when it became open to the public. The garden is rich in art and culture. Generations of artists have received great inspiration by traveling to see the Tuileries Garden. The garden hosts beautiful works of art both classic and contemporary designs.
Among the most famous parts of the garden is Jardin du Carrousel, which was used as a parade ground for popular festivities. This part of the garden contains the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel that was designed to mark the celebration of the victory of Napoleon. In this part of the garden, you will find a collection of 21 statues, which were designed by Aristide Maillol. You will also find a beautiful terrace, which is decorated by two large vases. Other notable landmarks in the garden include two stairways, which descend from the terrace to the moat.
André Le Nôtre, who was a landscape architect, was commissioned by the King of France to redesign the garden in 1664. The architect had a grand perspective of the garden and gathered hundreds of masons, gardeners and other workers to redesign the garden from 1666 to 1672. In 1667, Tuileries Garden became the first royal garden to be open to the public. However, beggars and soldiers were not allowed to visit the garden. Other modern features like public toilets and food stands were later added.
The Musée de l’Orangerie, which is located at the south west of the garden, is a beautiful place where visitors can go to relax. The Orangerie contains the famous water lily paintings by Monet. Many tourists visit the garden to go and admire these works of art. One famous sculpture at the Tuileries Garden is the Le Baiser or ‘The Kiss’ which was originally created in 1934 by Auguste Rodin. The sculpture displays a man and woman embracing passionately. Other famous sculptures done by Auguste Rodin, which are showcased at the Tuileries Garden, include Eve, L’Ombre and Méditation avec bras.
Today, the Tuileries Garden is filled with numerous entertainment spots like toy stands, puppet theaters, small boats and lemonade stands. Tourists can take advantage of the free tours to Tuileries Garden organized from March to December. You can visit the grand garden from June to August to enjoy rides and thrills with your family and friends.
France Homestyle, a boutique vacation rental agency, offers unique accommodations near the Tuileries Garden. Houseboat Concorde, a 3 bedroom, 2 bath floating home, is literally anchored next to the Gardens on Seine River. What could be more unique than experiencing Paris on a riverboat within walking distant to the Louvre, Tuileries, and Musée d’Orsay in the 1st Arrondissement? St. Anne Two Bedroom apartment is located in the Right Bank in the 2nd Arrondissement centrally located to all that Paris has to offer on the lively Rue Ste. Anne. This Paris flat is impeccably furnished in a historic building with an outside terrace and open views towards Montmartre. On the other side of the Seine in the Left Bank is Rue de Seine Studio apartment, also one bedroom and one bath, but this Pied-à-terre has access to a private rooftop terrace with panoramic views of the City of Lights.
I am happy to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Cooking Classes. Come take an ethnic culinary journey with me and chef and caterer Charlotte Puckette, co-author of the bestseller The Ethnic Paris Cookbook (with Olivia Kiang-Snaije). First we will shop at a Paris green-market for the freshest ingredients and then return to Charlotte's professional kitchen near the Eiffel Tower to cook a three-course lunch. After, we will indulge in the delicious feast we prepared along with hand-selected wines.
Cost: 185 euros per person (about $240)
Time: 9:30AM- 2PM (approximately 4 1/2 hours)
Location: We will meet by a metro station close to the market
Class days: Tuesday,Wednesday, Thursday,Friday, Saturday, and Sunday
Minimum of 2 students, maximum 6 students.
Click here to sign up for the next class or for more info.
I am pleased as punch to announce the launch of Eye Prefer Paris Tours, which are 3-hour walking tours I will personally be leading. The Eye Prefer Paris Tour includes many of the places I have written about such as small museums & galleries, restaurants, cafes & food markets, secret addresses, fashion & home boutiques, parks, and much more.
Tours cost 210 euros for up to 3 people, and 70 euros for each additional person. I look forward to meeting you on my tours and it will be my pleasure and delight to show you my insiders Paris.
Check it out at www.eyepreferparistours.com
Click here to watch a video of our famous Marais tour