We are heading out to take a stroll through the Jardin de Tuileries today. The weather is much cooler today so it’s time to rug up before heading out to the Opera Metro to catch the train to the Concorde station which will bring us to a short walk from the square where the guillotine once stood.
Across the road is the entrance to the Jardin des Tuileries where in days gone by, the royal court would enjoy a casual stroll through the flower beds, around the fountains and the marble statues that are scattered around the garden.
The garden was first opened to the public in 1667, and was designated to be a public park after the French Revolution.
A number of modern sculptures have been added to the park, and at the risk of being thought a philistine, I personally am not all that keen on them.
The last time we were here it was summer and very hot and I find this weather much nicer to sit by the fountain, people watching. Although the seats are a bit cool to sit on.
From the garden you have a view up the Champs Élysées to the Arc de Triomphe, in one direction and the Louvre in the other and of course the majesty of the Eiffel Tower can also be seen from here.
The flowers at a little confused at the moment, we have had extraordinarily warm weather for this time of year or so we have been told and some of the flowers have started to bloom already.
It will be a glorious sight when all the flowers bloom.We sit for a moment enjoying the flowers while watching the plump, healthy looking pigeons.
Seats are provided all around the grounds, so you can sit and have some lunch or just relax and people watch. It really is just a lovely oasis in Paris where you can take time out from visiting the Louvre and the Musee de l’ Orangerie (the Orangerie Museum) where you will find a collection of 20th century European are featuring 8 of Monet’s water lillies murals.
The gardens will look spectaular in the Spring and Summer. We are just a bit early in the year to get a full feel of what it will look like.
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