Between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, Tuileries Garden is a formal public park with ponds, fountains, tree-lined paths and sculptures. Its green metal chairs invite a pause beside the water, and the long walk links two of Paris’s major landmarks. Look for works by Auguste Rodin and other sculptors, or visit the Musée de l’Orangerie within the garden. In spring and summer, flowers add colour to the lawns; seasonal fairs and Christmas market stalls bring a different feel at other times of year.
From a royal garden to a public park
Catherine de’ Medici commissioned a palace and garden here in 1564. The grounds were first laid out in an Italian style. In 1664, André Le Nôtre redesigned them in the formal French style associated with symmetrical paths and carefully arranged planting. The garden opened to the public in 1667.
The palace no longer stands. It was burned in 1871, but the garden remained. Today, it stretches between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, along the Seine. Its name recalls the tile factories that once occupied the site.
Ponds, paths and sculpture
The layout makes the garden a natural route between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, but it is worth pausing along the way. Gravel paths run past lawns, flower beds, fountains and two large ponds. Green metal chairs around the water provide a place to sit and watch the garden go by.
Sculptures stand throughout the grounds, turning a walk into an open-air art visit. Works by Auguste Rodin and other artists are among the pieces to look for. The tree-lined avenues also frame views toward the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. In autumn, the paths beneath the trees take on a different character; spring and summer bring flowers into bloom.
Museums and seasonal events
The Musée de l’Orangerie is in the garden and houses Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art. The Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume, an exhibition space for contemporary art and photography, is also here.
The garden’s seasonal events change the visit. In summer, the Fête des Tuileries brings rides, games and carnival food. During the winter holidays, La Magie de Noël fills part of the grounds with wooden stalls selling gifts and seasonal treats, alongside food and fairground attractions. These events can draw crowds, especially around the rides, so take care of your belongings in busy areas.
FAQ
Is Tuileries Garden free to enter?
Yes. The garden is free to visit.
How long do you need at Tuileries Garden?
Allow around 30 to 60 minutes for a walk and a stop by the ponds or sculptures. Add time if you plan to visit a museum or seasonal event.
Where is Tuileries Garden?
It is in central Paris, between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
What can you see at Tuileries Garden?
The grounds have formal paths, lawns, ponds, fountains and sculptures. The Musée de l’Orangerie and Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume are also in the garden.
