Your Guide to the Tuileries Garden in Paris (2026)

If you are looking for a quick guide and answers to frequently asked questions about the Jardin des Tuileries, or Tuileries Garden, scroll to the end!

New York has Central Park; Paris has the Tuileries Gardens: an oasis of greenery in the heart of it all. I have been to Paris nearly 50 times in my life, and yet I never get tired of walking in, around, or through the Jardin des Tuileries, or Tuileries Garden.

I count myself lucky to have stayed at a beautiful hotel many times, just steps away from the park. Still, I can tell you I can’t get enough of the magnificent views it offers. Besides, the people-watching in the area is top-notch!

Of course, there are the hordes of tourists, getting a breath of fresh air after their visit to the Louvre. But then, you will also encounter joggers, slaloming between the fashionistas making their way from the high-end boutiques surrounding Rue de Rivoli to Café Marly. Idle teenagers mix seamlessly with corporate workers in well-tailored suits on an impromptu picnic during their lunch break.

There is even an unofficial dog park in one of the grassy lawns near the Place du Carousel, where you can frequently find me lurking. The entire city seems to converge on the iconic green chairs spread throughout the gardens as soon as a ray of sunshine appears. And if you happen to visit in the summer of 2026, you are in for something special: the Paris 2024 Olympic Cauldron has returned to the garden, rising into the evening sky like a glowing balloon. More on that lovely surprise below.

This green space has a long history. Once upon a time, instead of an elegant garden, there stood the roof tile kilns (tuileries in French, pronounced “twee-luh-ree”) that gave their name to the location. But in 1564, Queen Catherine de Medici decided to build in its place a grand palace to the west of the Louvre, which was the traditional – and rather dreary and forbidding – residence of the French Kings.

In addition to the new castle, she ordered the erection of sprawling gardens. No need to look for the Tuileries Palace these days: it was burned down to the ground in 1871 during the Commune.

What remains are the beautiful grounds of the first public garden in Paris. In 1664, Louis XIV decided not only to have the Gardens entirely re-designed by Le Nȏtre – the Rockstar landscape artist of the times – but also to open them to the public (or, at least, to the ones he judged “respectable”).

After the Sun King and the Court left downtown Paris for the greener pastures of Versailles, the Tuileries became the center of Paris's social and political life. It was the stage for countless events, from civil unrest to the first ascent of air balloons. And the best news is that four centuries later, the entrance to the gardens, which are also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is still free!

The Tuileries Garden covers over 22 hectares, most of which are accessible, and stretches from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde, between the banks of the Seine to the posh Rue de Rivoli. If it is your first trip to Paris, you must include it on your itinerary. It is pretty much in the middle, and within walking distance of some of the highlights of the French capital.

It even has its own metro stop (Tuileries, on line 1). You can also access it easily from the Louvre (Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre on lines 1 and 7) or Place de la Concorde (Concorde on lines 1, 8, and 12).

The gardens are open every day of the year, starting at 7 am. Closing time shifts with the seasons: around 7:30 pm in winter (late September to late March), 9 pm in spring and autumn (April, May, September, and October), and a wonderful 11 pm in summer (June to August). Whatever the season, staff begin clearing the paths about 30 minutes before closing, so give yourself a little buffer.

One note for 2026: with the Olympic Cauldron back in the garden, closing times will shift slightly during its run from June 21 to September 14. Expect closing around 10:30 pm from late June through July, 9:30 pm in August, and 8:30 pm in early September.

How much time should you set aside? If you are just cutting through from the Louvre to Concorde, 20 to 30 minutes will do it. But if you want to do it properly, with a coffee, a bench, and a bit of people-watching, give yourself an hour or two. As for the best time to visit, my favorite is a late spring morning, when the flower beds are in full bloom, and you have the alleys almost to yourself before the afternoon crowds arrive.

What’s in and around the Tuileries Garden?

You may think that you can just run through the Tuileries on your way to or from the Louvre. Frankly, that would be a mistake. Not only is it one of the most photogenic places in Paris, but there is also plenty to do in and around the area. These are spots highlighted in the illustration at the beginning of this post.

1. The Louvre: Is there a need to present the Louvre? Home of the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo (among many, many others), the Louvre covers over 160,000 square feet. Bring a map and a pair of comfortable shoes! (Combine Louvre Reserved Access with a boat cruise to get off your feet once you've seen it all!)
2. The Louvre Pyramid: Love it or hate it, I.M. Pei’s masterpiece is almost as iconic as the Eiffel Tower itself. Opened on the 30th March 1989, it houses the Louvre Museum's entrance hall. It includes the ticket office, museum boutiques, restaurants, a post office, and the Carrousel du Louvre shopping center.
3. Place du Carousel: Across the street from the Louvre, the Place du Carousel is home to the Arc de Triomphe’s baby brother. Erected in 1808 to commemorate the victories of Napoleon, it is about half the size of its more famous sibling on the Champs-Élysées, and was intended as a monumental entrance to the Tuileries Palace.
4. Grand Carré: Le Grand Carré (the Large Square) is the first part of the formal gardens when you turn your back to the Louvre. As a perfect example of the jardin à la française, it features symmetry, colorful flower beds, and elegant statues. By the smaller fountain on the Rue de Rivoli side (a.k.a Vivier Nord), kids of all ages can rent small colorful boats to push on the water. A word of caution: there isn’t much shade, so don’t forget your hat and sunscreen in the summer.
5. Bassin Octogonal: Following the (nicely shaded) Allée Centrale towards Place de la Concorde, you will reach the Bassin Octogonal, located by the entrance on the Concorde side. It is the largest fountain in the Tuileries and the perfect spot for lounging around and watching the world go by. In the mood for a bite-sized museum to get out of the heat/cold? Go right for the Jeu de Paume or left for the Musée de l’Orangerie.
6. Jeu de Paume: Built in 1861 by Napoleon III to host the ancestor of tennis games, the Jeu de Paume building mirrors the older Orangerie building on the other side of the Tuileries. During World War II, it was used by the Nazis to sort through stolen art. Nowadays, it serves as an arts center for modern and postmodern photography and media. Exhibitions change regularly, so check their website to see what’s on display. Entry is currently 12 euros, and it is closed on Mondays.
7. Musée de l'Orangerie: Ever heard of Monet’s water lilies? I’m sure you have! If you have enough time, try to sneak a day to visit the painter’s home in Giverny: it is a great day trip from Paris! If you don’t, then visiting the Musée de l’Orangerie, their permanent home, is the next best thing. The exhibition rooms are designed to showcase the art at its best, and they are as dreamy as you can imagine. (Reserve your ticket in advance.) Reserve a timed ticket in advance; adult entry is 12.50 euros, and the museum is closed on Tuesdays.
8. L’Obélisque: The ritzy Place de la Concorde, with its fountains and its obelisk that (literally) sticks out in the middle, is one of those iconic Paris views. You will recognize it from scenes in movies and pictures everywhere. It once stood guard outside Luxor Temple in Egypt, where its twin remains. It was a gift to France from the viceroy of Egypt at the time, Mehemet Ali. If you look at its foot, you will notice the Roman numerals of a sundial.
9. Terrasse du Bord de l'Eau: Located on the Seine side (hence its name, the « Water Side Terrace »), this long alley overlooks the Quai des Tuileries. Around the Orangerie, you will find many statues, most of them contemporary, including Rodin’s famous Kiss.
10. Terrasse des Feuillants: On the opposite side, the Terrasse des Feuillants follows Rue de Rivoli. You will often see massive white tents set up for events in the area, from art fairs to Fashion Week. It is also home to the Fun Fair (Fête des Tuileries), which takes over this side of the garden all summer long, featuring dozens of fee-based attractions. In 2026 it runs from June 20 to August 23, and the Grande Roue de Paris, the giant 60-meter ferris wheel, is back in its prime spot. That big wheel and merry-go-round you have seen all over Instagram? Yep, that's it!

If you speak French, you can also follow the free guided visit, which takes place on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays at 3.30 pm from April to October. For those who want to make an adventure of it, my friend Elisa has a wonderful self-guided scavenger hunt (in English) for the garden available for purchase. It is a very inexpensive but unique way to visit the garden!

But more importantly, the Tuileries Gardens are best enjoyed at your own pace. It was conceived as a relief from the hustle and bustle of the city, and that's how it should remain. For lovers of art, there are hundreds of statues scattered throughout the alleys, ranging from the seventeenth century to the present.

Get lost in the shaded alleys off the side of the main strip: they hide little fountains and hidden corners that are a delight. Even on the busiest day, you can still feel far away from the crowds. Sit on the green metal chairs (first come, first served) and enjoy a pastry and excellent people-watching. Grab a coffee or a sandwich and eat in one of the cafes nestled under the trees.

Next time you are in Paris, don’t just run through these beautiful gardens to get from one place to the next. Do as the Parisians do, and make it your destination!

Best photo spots in the Tuileries

The whole garden is photogenic, but a few spots deliver every time. Stand on the central Grande Allee for that perfectly symmetrical frame of the Louvre. Step up onto the Terrasse du Bord de l'Eau on the Seine side for elevated views over the garden and the river. And in summer, the ferris wheel near Rue de Rivoli gives you a rooftop panorama with the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, and the Arc de Triomphe all in one shot.

What's New in the Tuileries for 2026

The Olympic Cauldron is back

One of the most magical things to happen to the Tuileries in years is the return of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Cauldron. From June 21 to September 14, 2026, the flame is recreated as a glowing helium balloon, 22.4 meters across, that lifts gently into the Paris sky every evening at sunset.

It is completely free, no reservation needed, and you can wander right up to it during the day (the Cauldron area opens at 10 am). Even after the garden closes, you can watch it rise from just outside the gates. If you are in Paris this summer, do not miss it. It is the kind of only-in-Paris moment I could watch a hundred times over.

The Fete des Tuileries funfair and the Grande Roue

Every summer the garden's Rue de Rivoli side turns into the Fete des Tuileries, the only funfair set up right in the heart of Paris. For 2026 it runs from June 20 to August 23, with nearly 60 rides and stalls, and this year the giant Grande Roue de Paris ferris wheel is back in its spot between the Louvre and Concorde. Bring the kids, or just come for a paper cone of candy floss and one of the best views in the city.

Tuileries Garden FAQs

Fun Fact about the Tuileries Garden – The Axe

The Tuileries Garden is part of the Axe historique, a line of monuments, buildings, and thoroughfares extending from the center of Paris westward. It is also known as the Voie Triomphale (triumphal way). Here is more info from Wiki Voyage.

The Tuileries has a way of pulling you back. Whether you come for the history, the sculptures, the summer funfair, the glowing Olympic Cauldron, or simply a quiet green chair in the sun, it rewards anyone who slows down long enough to enjoy it. So next time you are in Paris, do like the Parisians and make it your destination, not just your shortcut. I would love to hear about it: have you visited the Tuileries Garden, and what was your favorite corner? Tell me in the comments below, and if this guide helped you plan, please share it with a fellow Paris lover.

How about you? Have you visited the Tuileries Garden? What did you think? What was your favorite part?

Illustrations commissioned from Linden Eller.

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