Springtime at the Jardin des Tuileries

Resting between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Jardin des Tuileries is an unmissable highlight on any Paris itinerary. 

What makes the Jardin des Tuileries special in spring?

The historic gardens in the centre of Paris are beautiful year-round, but are especially wonderful in the spring. Along with the fresh breeze and warm sun, the season sees the garden bursting with the vibrant colours and delicate fragrances of tulips, daffodils, and hyacinths. With the low sun dappling through the tree-lined avenues, the garden has a soft, gentle feel that makes it particularly enchanting in spring. Attracting fewer crowds than in the summer, spring in the Jardin de Tuileries is ideal for a quiet stroll or for capturing uncluttered photos.

A brief history of the Jardin des Tuileries

The Jardin des Tuileries was created in 1564 by Catherine de’ Medici as the garden for the Tuileries Palace – a palace that no longer exists. Initially designed in the Italian Renaissance style, it was redesigned in 1664 by André Le Nôtre, the landscape architect behind the gardens at the Palace of Versailles. Opened to the public after the French Revolution, it is now one of Paris’ most visited green spaces.

What to do in the Jardin des Tuileries

Whether you are a garden-lover or visiting with family, this 62-acre green space in the heart of Paris is full of things to explore and enjoy.

Visit the Musée de l’Orangerie 

Sitting on the western corner of the grounds, the Musée de l’Orangerie is an unmissable stop on your stroll through the gardens. The gallery, dedicated to impressionist and post-impressionist art, is home to some of the movement’s most famous works, including pieces by Monet, Picasso and Matisse. Though small, the museum is packed with remarkable works and is easy to fit into a day at the Louvre.

Sail mini boats on the Grand Bassin

Head to the Grand Bassin to enjoy one of the garden’s most wholesome pastimes. The large, octagonal pond and formal water feature have been used for pond sailing for over 150 years, and the playful activity can still be enjoyed by children and the young at heart today. Rent a beautifully crafted wooden sailboat and gently guide it around the pond with a stick for a simple, nostalgic, family-friendly afternoon.

Rent a wooden boat and take part in a nostalgic Parisian pastime. Credit: Per Palmkvist Knudsen, CC-BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons

Stop and smell the flowers

The Tuileries Gardens are the perfect place to pause in Paris. Whether you visit the grounds to take in the views, reflect on your favourite experiences in the city so far, or to admire the seasonal blooms,  this outdoor space is a peaceful and picturesque retreat. Designed in the formal French style, the gardens feature symmetrical pathways, terraces and parterres. In spring, you’ll find geometrically arranged flowerbeds of daffodils, hyacinths and tulips, so there’s no better time to stop and smell the flowers!

Admire the statues and fountains

With dozens of statues and plenty of beautiful fountains, the Tuileries gardens is somewhat of an open-air sculpture gallery! Among the collection, you’ll find pieces by famous sculptors like Aristide Maillol, Auguste Rodin, and Jean Dubuffet. Look out for ‘The Kiss’ by the entrance of the Musée de l’Orangerie, ‘Theseus and the Minotaur’ near the Grand Bassin and ‘Tiger Battling a Crocodile’ just outside the Louvre.

As well as the Grand Bassin, you’ll find several smaller ornamental fountains dotted around the grounds.

Admire the stunning sculptures dotted around the gardens.

Enjoy family-friendly fun

Some top family-friendly activities in the Jardin des Tuileries include:

• Sailing mini boats in the Grand Bassin.
• Playing in the garden playground, which features climbing frames, nets, tunnels and slides.
• Riding the vintage carousel on the east side of the grounds.
• Enjoying puppet shows during the school holidays.
• Visiting the family area in the Musée de l'Orangerie.
• Burning off some energy on the trampolines on the north side of the grounds.
• Exploring the Jardin des Tuileries Christmas market in the winter.

Stroll between Parisian landmarks

The garden sits between two iconic Parisian landmarks, the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. Within walking distance, you’ll also find the Pont des Arts, Palais Royal, Rue de Rivoli, and the Musée d’Orsay, making the Tuileries Gardens an ideal way to move from one landmark to another.

Stroll through the gardens to see some of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.

Relax with a picnic or stop in a café

Bring a sandwich and your flask, because you’ll find plenty of wide, open green spaces to picnic in the Tuileries gardens. Alternatively, head to one of the nearby restaurants or cafés, such as Café des Marronniers, Angelina, or Café Marly, to enjoy French classics like quiches, croissants, tarts, and café au lait.

Plan a trip to the Tuileries Gardens

Find all the top tips and essential information you need to plan a trip to the Tuileries Gardens.

Opening hours and entry costs

The Tuileries Gardens are open year-round. Opening hours vary by season and generally start between 7:00 am and 7:30 am, with later closing times during the summer months when the days are lighter and longer.

The gardens are free to enter, and you do not need a ticket to enjoy them, making it one of the best free things to do in the city.

Travel to the Tuileries Gardens

The journey from Calais to the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris takes approximately 3 hours and 50 minutes. 

The quickest route takes you via the A16 past destinations like Abbeville and Amiens. Another route of roughly the same length takes the A26 and A1, bringing you close to Arras. For a slightly longer journey, take the A16, A28 and A13 to pass Rouen along the way.

The best photography spots

With long tree-lined avenues, symmetrical scenery, fountains, sculptures, statues, terraces and iconic views of Parisian landmarks, the Jardin des Tuileries is a photographer’s dream - perfect for capturing stunning scenery or family memories. 

While spring tends to be quieter, it’s still worth visiting early in the morning or late in the evening to take advantage of the ‘golden hour’ light as it pours through the capital.

Some top spots for photos include:

• The central fountain – great for reflections and long exposure shots
• The long path from the Louvre toward the Place de la Concorde – ideal for symmetry and perspective shots
• The gardens by the Orangerie – Perfect for sculptures, spring flowers and intimate scenes

Don’t leaf without visiting the Jardin des Tuileries this spring

No city break in Paris would be complete without a stroll through the historic Jardin des Tuileries. Cross the channel in just 35 minutes with LeShuttle and visit the Parisian park this spring.

Book your trip today.