Tuileries Garden (Jardin des Tuileries)

The Tuileries Garden, located in the heart of Paris between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, is one of the oldest and most famous parks in the city. Its history, filled with political, artistic, and social events, makes it a place of extraordinary charm and importance. The history of the Tuileries Garden begins in 1564, when Catherine de’ Medici, widow of Henry II, decided to build a new palace with gardens on a site that previously housed tile kilns (hence the name “Tuileries”). The original garden, designed by Bernard de Carnesse, was in Italian Renaissance style, reflecting Catherine’s Florentine origins. Catherine’s project also included the creation of a garden with fountains, caves, and mazes, intended to evoke the magnificence of Italian gardens. In the 17th century, under the reign of Louis XIV, the Tuileries Garden was transformed by landscape architect André Le Nôtre, the same designer of the gardens of Versailles. Le Nôtre redesigned the garden in formal French style, characterized by wide avenues, geometric flowerbeds, and majestic perspectives. His innovations included the creation of a Grande Allée, a long central avenue that offered a spectacular view to Place de la Concorde, and the introduction of rectangular water mirrors. The Tuileries Garden soon became a meeting place for the French aristocracy and the royal court, but also a public space accessible to Parisians. Its opening to the public marked an important step towards the democratization of urban green spaces, making the garden a point of social and cultural gathering. During the French Revolution, the Tuileries Garden was the scene of dramatic events. In 1792, the Tuileries Palace was stormed by revolutionaries, marking the end of the French monarchy. The palace itself, after being used as the seat of the revolutionary government and then as Napoleon Bonaparte’s residence, was finally destroyed by fire during the Paris Commune in 1871. However, the garden survived and continued to be a place of leisure and relaxation for Parisians. Throughout the 19th century, the Tuileries Garden was further enriched with the addition of sculptures and monuments. Among these, the statue of Mercury by Jean-Baptiste Pigalle and that of Perseus and Andromeda by Pierre Puget added a touch of classicism to the landscape. Additionally, the garden became a focal point for public events and national celebrations, consolidating its role as a central public space in Parisian life. From an artistic point of view, the Tuileries Garden has always played a prominent role. It houses two important museums: the Musée de l’Orangerie, famous for Claude Monet’s large water lilies, and the Jeu de Paume, a contemporary art center. These museums, located at the ends of the garden, offer visitors the opportunity to explore both classical and modern art, enriching the cultural experience of the park. One of the most fascinating anecdotes related to the Tuileries Garden concerns the large central water mirror, known as the Grand Bassin. In the past, this basin was used by Parisians to float model boats, a tradition that continues to this day, attracting children and adults. This recreational activity, simple yet captivating, is an example of how the garden has managed to maintain its charm through the centuries, remaining a place of leisure and joy for generations of Parisians.