Jardin de Tuileries
The Tuileries Gardens in Paris, France
These meticulously planned pathways, statue lined promenades, perfectly placed fountains, regimentally planted gardens (each of the 125,000 plants placed by hand each year), and astoundingly awful crêpes stands extends right through the heart of Paris, along the banks of the Seine from the Louvre to place de la Concorde.
The gardens were redesigned in the 17th century by France's premiere landscape architect Le Nôtre.
Vive la Revolution!
They may look pretty, but the Tuileries played an important, bloody role in the French Revolution. On August 10, 1792, an army of more than 20,000 Revolutionary commoners (and many National Guard who decided to switch sides) marched on the palace.
They were briefly held at bay by the king's private army of Swiss Guards while Louis XVI fled, but soon thereafter the rioters took the palace—whereupon they massacred more than 600 of the defending Swiss Guards.
Three days after the fighting, Louis XVI was arrested. Within six weeks, the Legislative Assembly was dissolved, the French monarchy was abolished, and the revolution had won. Four months later, Louis XVI had his date with the guillotine on neighboring place de la Concorde.
The museums of the Tuileries
Yes, the Tuileries are anchored at one end by what is arguably the most famous museum in the world, the Louvre, but there are two smaller, equally intriguing art galleries at the western end as well, just off place de la Concorde.
The Jeu de Paume hosts temporary exhibits, while the wonderful Orangerie is one of Paris' best secret spots: Impressionists hang in the rooms upstairs while in the basement hides Monet's grandest project and most beautiful memorial: two specially-built oval rooms each set with 360° of continuous Waterlillies.
Tips
- Planning your time: It takes about 15–20 minutes to stroll the gardens from the Louvre to place de la Concorde.
- Take a tour of the Tuileries with our partners at Viator.com:
- Safety in the Tuileries: Lovely and lively by day, the Tuileries get a bit dicey after dusk, and it's best to avoid them at night (unless you're looking for a gay pick-up).
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This article was last updated in February 2012. All information was accurate at the time.
Copyright © 1998–2012 by Reid Bramblett. All rights reserved.
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113 rue de Rivoli (between the Louvre and place de la Concorde)
parcsetjardins.equipement.paris.fr
OPEN
Daily 7:30am–7:30pm
ADMISSION
Free
TRANSPORT
Métro: Tuileries (1), Concorde (1, 8, 12)
TOURS
• Paris Walking Tour: Classic Paris
• Paris Walking Tour: French Revolution
• Paris Bike Tour
• Paris Tour de France Bike Ride
