The garden of Tuileries encompasses a relatively small area of just 25 hectares. However, every scrap of land in the garden has been thoughtfully arranged as part of a larger composition. During the day, several wide terraces and perfectly maintained artificial ponds lay hidden in the shadows of old elm and chestnut trees. Apart from the small ponds, the garden of the Tuileries boasts two larger lakes, Bassin Rond and Bassin Octogonal, which certainly deserve the attention of any visitor to Paris.

In the second part of the 16th Century, Catherine de' Medicis, widow of King Henry II of France, commissioned the building of a new, luxurious palace in the centre of Paris. Designed by Philibert de l'Orme, it fit the most recent trends of urban architecture. The mansion came to be called the Tuileries, the French word for the tile kilns which previously occupied the site of the construction.
In the following century, the Tuileries Palace became the residence of King Louis XIV, who at the time was awaiting the completion of Versailles. In 1664, the royal garden architect, André Le Notre, designed a spacious modern garden for the Tuileries. However, soon afterwards the king and his family moved to his new mansion, and the Tuileries garden was converted into the most fashionable public park in Paris.

During the Commune of 1871, the Tuileries Palace was completely burnt down. Le Jardin des Tuileries survived, though it had to be reconstructed. In its present form, it retains the original layout designed by André Le Notre and the unique arrangements of the main alleys, where the spirit of the Grand Siècle (Great Century) still lives on.

Today, the western part of the garden is home to two interesting museums: Musée de l’Orangerie and Galerie Nationale du Jeu de Paume. The Orangery Museum occupies the building of an old greenhouse, designed in 1852 by architect Firmin Bourgeois. The Gallery of Jeu de Paume promotes visual arts, such as traditional photography and innovative mechanically or electronically generated images. A former army storehouse, the building was converted into a public gallery in 1927. Since then, it has hosted many prominent exhibitions and installations.

Le Jardin des Tuileries is known to offer one of the most charming views of the centre of Paris. Its surroundings are truly enchanting. Surrounded by major landmarks, it's also linked to the neighbouring Jardin du Carroussel by a picturesque alley lined with sculptures. So if you find yourself wandering in Paris someday, don't miss the chance to visit the Jardin des Tuileries.