The 1st arrondissement of Paris is the historic centre of the city, where it was first settled by the Parisi tribe, conquered by the Romans, and where the Kings and Queens of France lived. It is also home to some lovely gardens and parks, some like the Tuileries Garden well-known, and others more hidden and less visited.
Here, we will look at 5 of the best, as featured in the 1st Arrondissement Walk:
📍Tuileries Garden
Located in the heart of Paris between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde, the Tuileries Garden (or the Jardin des Tuileries) is one of the world's most famous and most visited gardens. This is where tourists and Parisians come to stroll, celebrate and relax.
Created in 1564 by Catherine de Medici as the garden of the Tuileries Palace, its wide central axis lies along the Axe Historique, a line of iconic monuments that stretches through Paris. From the Tuileries, you can see most of these monuments, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Luxor Obelisk, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Louvre.
The Garden is also the location for the Musée de l'Orangerie (an art gallery of impressionist and post-impressionist paintings) and the Jeu de Paume (an arts centre for modern and post-modern photography and media).
Separating the Tuileries from the Louvre is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, a triumphal archway built in the early 1800s, commemorating Napoleon I's military victories. In stark contrast, adjacent to the Arch, is the strikingly modern glass pyramid of the Louvre Museum, the world's largest art gallery (and, of course, the home of the Mona Lisa).
Given its central position, the Tuileries is the perfect spot to relax and take a break, with its manicured gardens, colourful blooms, shady trees, ponds and classic statues.
As far as food and drinks, you are spoilt for choice! The Tuileries has around a half dozen open-air restaurants and food booths, offering a choice of food from quick snacks to full-course meals. You can sit at tables under lovely trees or relax by one of its large ponds, lounging in the chairs and soaking up the sun.
Address: Place de la Concorde
📍Place Dauphine
Place Dauphine is a small hidden (triangular-shaped) square, accessed from the middle of the Pont Neuf, on the western end of the Île de la Cité. Created by Henry IV in 1607, it is named after his son, the Dauphin of France, the future Louis XIII.
Surrounded by elegant historic buildings and a number of small restaurants and cafes, it is a peaceful place for a rest or a bite to eat. The square is filled with chestnut trees and benches and surrounded by a small cobblestone street that rarely sees any traffic.
Along its eastern side, it overlooks the façade of the Palais de Justice, the main courthouse in Paris, with its colonnaded architecture.
Address: Place Dauphine
📍Square du Vert-Galant
A stone's throw from Place Dauphine is the Square du Vert-Galant, a small triangular-shaped park at the western tip of the Île de la Cité.
A stone's throw from Place Dauphine is the Square du Vert-Galant, a small triangular-shaped park at the western tip of the Île de la Cité.
Another one of Paris's hidden gems it was created in 1884 by joining two smaller islands to the larger island. It was named in tribute to Henry IV, whose nickname was the Vert-Galant (Green Gallant) due to his voracious love for women, with more than 50 mistresses!
Given its namesake, it is perhaps unsurprising that it is a popular spot for romantic strolls. On the tip of the island, there are also lovely views of the Seine. You can almost imagine yourself standing on the bow of a ship floating down the river!
The park is accessed from the Pont Neuf, behind the statue of Henry IV on horseback. This is the ideal starting point to explore the rest of the Île de la Cité.
Address: 15 Pl. du Pont Neuf
📍Palais Royal Garden
The Palais-Royal is a former royal palace that housed royal families until the Palace of Versailles was built. The screened entrance court faces the Place du Palais-Royal, opposite the Louvre. Originally called the Palais-Cardinal, it was built for Cardinal Richelieu from 1633 to 1639.
The palace encloses landscaped gardens with a large fountain, peaceful tree-lined walkways, flowerbeds and sculptures. It is also a genteel spot for a low-key game of boules in summer.
The garden has an intimate, secluded feel and is often missed amidst its busy surroundings. Its beautiful heritage arcades and the upmarket designer shops have a similar exclusive atmosphere.
Perhaps more well-known than the garden is the Colonnes de Burren, which are adjacent to the courtyard. Commissioned in 1986, it consists of 260 black and white striped octagonal marble columns of different heights. With a passing resemblance to a giant chessboard, they are a favourite with photographers.
The Palais Royal is also the location for the Salle Richelieu, the main theatre of the Comédie Française.
Address: 2 Gal de Montpensier
📍Jardin Nelson Mandela
In between the Forum des Halles, a canopy-covered Westfield shopping centre, and the Bourse de Commerce and its Pinault Collection is the Jardin Nelson Mandela. The garden is located in the centre of the new district of Les Halles, which has emerged after the redevelopment of Paris's old food market.
In between the Forum des Halles, a canopy-covered Westfield shopping centre, and the Bourse de Commerce and its Pinault Collection is the Jardin Nelson Mandela. The garden is located in the centre of the new district of Les Halles, which has emerged after the redevelopment of Paris's old food market.
The garden is a popular venue for families with children, with its colourfully designed adventure playground, including a trampoline, trees and bridges to climb, as well as various football fields, basketball courts and ping pong tables.
It also features Henri de Miller's sculpture 'Ecoute' (Listen), a 70-ton statue of a giant face and hand in front of Saint Eustache.
Address: All. Jules Supervielle