What to do in the Tuileries Garden: a guide to everything to see, from the Louvre to Concorde
LE PRADEY **** - HÔTEL - PARIS LOUVRE
Wondering what to do in the Tuileries Garden with a whole day ahead, or just an hour between visits? Located in the heart of Paris, in the 1st arrondissement, this beautiful public park stretches between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. It is bordered by Rue de Rivoli to the north and the Seine to the south. Visitors explore the Jardin des Tuileries like an open-air sculpture museum, with its basins, statues, tree-lined walks, terraces and two museums within its grounds. Entry is free and you can stroll through at your own pace. Every season brings its own event, from the summer fun fair to the Christmas market in winter.
This guide covers what to see, activities for children, the garden’s history, opening hours and access, then widens to the monuments of the neighborhood. Whether it is your first trip to Paris or a return visit, Hôtel Le Pradey welcomes you on Rue Saint-Roch, a few minutes on foot from the gates.
The essential of your visit —
What to see in the Tuileries Garden on a first visit
To visit the Tuileries Garden is to walk the great historic axis of Paris. From the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, facing the Louvre Pyramid, the Grande Allée runs straight to the obelisk of the Place de la Concorde, the city’s largest square. The whole layout follows the classic French garden style. On a clear day, the view carries all the way to the Arc de Triomphe at the top of the Champs-Élysées. It is one of the most popular spots in the city: more than fourteen million people walk its paths every year.
Start on the Louvre side in the Jardin du Carrousel, where Aristide Maillol’s bronze statues stand out against the lawns and seasonal flower beds. Then head for the Grand Bassin Rond and its fountain. It is ringed by the famous green chairs that Parisians move freely to follow the sun. Relax in the green chairs, read, or simply enjoy some people-watching. Further on, in search of shade, cross the Grand Couvert, the wooded section of the garden planted with rows of trees. The Octagonal Basin then closes the perspective to the west, framed by two horseshoe ramps leading up to the terraces. The Terrasse des Feuillants runs along Rue de Rivoli. On the south side, the riverside terrace, the Terrasse du Bord de l’Eau, overlooks the Seine, with the Eiffel Tower on the horizon. Along the paths, 17th-century sculptures sit alongside contemporary art, including bronzes by Auguste Rodin and animal statues by Auguste Cain. Take time to explore the sculptures from one century to the next, and take photos as you go.
In summer, don’t miss the Olympic cauldron designed by Mathieu Lehanneur. It returns every year until 2028, from late June to mid-September, and rises above the Grand Bassin Rond at nightfall. The best time to visit, however, is the morning, when the gravel crunches under the first joggers’ feet and the light is at its softest. At weekends, especially on Saturdays, it pays to arrive early.
For all ages —
Tuileries Garden activities for children and families
Children have their favorite rituals here. On the Octagonal Basin, they rent a wooden sailboat and push it across the water with a stick, just as their grandparents did. Along Rue de Rivoli, the playground, trampolines and carousel round off a day of fun things to do with kids in the open air, in the shade of the chestnut trees. Playground fun usually comes first, then a chance to ride the carousel. If you are wondering where to eat and drink, the garden’s cafés and restaurants serve lunch or a quick snack under the trees, and the green chairs are perfect for picnics.
Seasonal activities follow the calendar too. Every summer, from late June through July and August, the Fête des Tuileries fun fair sets up its rides, its food stalls for a sweet treat and its Ferris wheel, with a view stretching from the Louvre to Concorde. As the holidays approach, the Tuileries Christmas market takes over with its chalets, its ice rink and its traditional seasonal treats. It is one of the city’s most popular winter events. In September, the European Heritage Days offer discovery walks, guided tours and themed workshops, ideal for a family visit. For these seasonal events, check the dates of each edition before you go.
— Practical information —
Tuileries Garden opening hours and access from Hôtel Le Pradey
The Tuileries Garden opening hours change with the seasons:
| Period | Hours |
|---|---|
| October to March (autumn and winter) | 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM |
| April, May and September (spring and early fall) | 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM |
| June to August (summer) | 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM |
During major events, closing time may be brought forward. Keep this in mind and check the official Louvre website for last-minute information. With free entry, no Tuileries Garden tickets are needed; only the museums charge admission. Free toilets are open during opening hours.
From Hôtel Le Pradey, at 5 Rue Saint-Roch, 75001 Paris, France, the route to the garden could not be simpler. Just follow Rue Saint-Roch to Rue de Rivoli and you reach the gates in a few minutes on foot. The garden is easily accessible by foot, and several nearby metro stations serve the rest of the city:
- Tuileries station (Line 1) serves the Champs-Élysées, the Arc de Triomphe and the Marais District.
- Pyramides station (Lines 7 and 14) leads to the Opéra Garnier, Saint-Lazare station and Orly Airport.
- Line 14 also connects with the RER B toward Paris-Charles de Gaulle Airport.
Prefer to cycle? The hotel partners with Holland Bikes for bike rental and guided rides through Paris.
Around the garden —
Museums and monuments in the Tuileries neighborhood
The garden is home to two museums. On the Seine side stands the Musée de l’Orangerie, built under Napoleon III in the 19th century to shelter the orange trees. It displays Claude Monet’s Water Lilies in two oval rooms lit by natural light. The Orangerie Museum is a must for lovers of Impressionist art. It is closed on Tuesdays and free on the first Sunday of the month. At the corner of the Place de la Concorde and Rue de Rivoli, the Jeu de Paume, another Napoleon III building, devotes its exhibitions to photography and the image.
To the east stands the Louvre Museum and its pyramid. Its collections hold famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. To visit the Louvre with ease, book your tickets for a time slot in advance and avoid Tuesdays, when it is closed. In one wing of the Louvre palace, the Musée des Arts Décoratifs explores design, fashion and the art of living. North of the Louvre neighborhood, Rue Saint-Honoré lines up designer boutiques where you can shop all the way to Place Vendôme, perfect for an afternoon of luxury shopping. The Palais Royal garden is just a short walk away, with its Buren columns and the Comédie-Française theater next door. Close to the hotel, the façade of Saint-Roch Church is said to still bear the marks of the 1795 fighting, when a young Bonaparte crushed the royalist uprising.
Further afield, Line 14 runs straight to the Forum des Halles, near the Bourse de Commerce and its contemporary art collection. The Sainte-Chapelle, Pont Neuf and Notre-Dame Cathedral are easily reached by metro. On the Left Bank, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter and Luxembourg Garden extend the walk, and bus 72 goes directly to the Eiffel Tower. You can also take a Seine River cruise, head along Line 1 to the Bois de Boulogne or the Bois de Vincennes, or plan a day trip to the Palace of Versailles and its Hall of Mirrors.
Sleeping by the Tuileries —
Hôtel Le Pradey: rooms and suites in the heart of the Louvre neighborhood
Right on the edge of the garden, our hotel features 28 luxurious rooms and suites with refined interior decor and fine materials. Each category reveals a unique identity inspired by parisian life:
- • Tradition Room (17 m²): Elegant and refined with double bed, perfect for a stay in central Paris with an excellent price-to-quality ratio.
- • Authentique Room (23 m²): More spacious, blending stone and modern touches; some are accessible for guests with accessibility needs.
- • Deluxe Suites (27 to 30 m²): Inspired by French art houses, some featuring a patio or duplex style, offering the spirit of a real parisian apartment.
- • Suite with Balcony (24 to 30 m²): Featuring a parisian-style balcony and a private space, ideal for a romantic getaway.
- • Family Suite (30 m²): Designed for a family of up to 4 people, with spacious rooms for a wonderful stay in Paris.
All accommodations include high-end amenities: Queen or King size bed, bathroom with shower or bath, air conditioning, free wifi, and exclusive toiletries.
Tailor made care —
Hotel services: breakfast, bar and concierge near the garden
The day begins from 7:00 AM to 11:00 AM in the vaulted breakfast room, around a seasonal buffet. Guests in a hurry can choose the Sur le Pouce selection, served in the library lounge. On the mezzanine, the Honesty Bar is open at any hour. Its drinks menu includes teas, espressos, champagne and Le Pas de l’Escalette, a Languedoc wine produced by the hotel’s owner. Room service takes over from 12:00 PM to 11:30 PM, so you can enjoy a meal in the calm of your room.
After a day of museums, treat yourself to an in-room massage by Olivier Lecocq Paris, available by reservation. The next morning, the team will suggest the best jogging route through the Tuileries paths and along the quays. Contact the concierge by phone or email for everything else, from a restaurant table or a chauffeur to a shopping address or tickets for a show. Check-in is from 3:00 PM and check-out until 12:00 PM.
— Last stop, first address —
Enjoying the Tuileries Garden from Hôtel Le Pradey
An hour is enough to feel the charm of the Tuileries, yet a week is not always enough to explore every corner. What to do in the Tuileries Garden? Stroll, sit by a basin, discover a museum, then return to the calm of Hôtel Le Pradey, just steps from the gates, for a perfect Paris day. It is one of those intimate hotels in Paris you will want to return to. Book on our official website for the best guaranteed rate, to view prices and availability, and to discover our exclusive offers.
FAQ – Frequently asked questions about the Tuileries Garden and Hôtel Le Pradey
What to do in the Tuileries Garden with children?
Children love sailing the little boats on the Octagonal Basin, then enjoying the playground, trampolines and carousel along Rue de Rivoli. In summer, the Fête des Tuileries adds its Ferris wheel and rides. In winter, the Christmas market offers an ice rink, one of the garden’s most popular seasonal attractions.
Is entry to the Tuileries Garden free?
Yes, access to the Tuileries Garden is entirely free, and so are its toilets. Only the museums within its grounds (the Musée de l’Orangerie and the Jeu de Paume) charge admission. The same goes for the rides at the Fête des Tuileries and the Christmas market.
Which museums can you visit near the Tuileries Garden?
The Louvre Museum stands at the eastern end of the garden, and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs occupies one of its wings. Within the garden itself, the Orangerie Museum displays Monet’s Water Lilies and the Jeu de Paume presents photography. Note that the Louvre and the Orangerie are both closed on Tuesdays.
How do you get to the Tuileries Garden by metro?
Tuileries station (Line 1) leads directly to the Rue de Rivoli entrance. Concorde station (Lines 1, 8 and 12) opens onto the Place de la Concorde, and Pyramides station (Lines 7 and 14) is a few minutes on foot. From Hôtel Le Pradey, walking is the simplest option.
How do you get to the Tuileries Garden by metro?
Tuileries station (Line 1) leads directly to the Rue de Rivoli entrance. Concorde station (Lines 1, 8 and 12) opens onto the Place de la Concorde, and Pyramides station (Lines 7 and 14) is a few minutes on foot. From Hôtel Le Pradey, walking is the simplest option.
How do you get to the Tuileries Garden by metro?
Tuileries station (Line 1) leads directly to the Rue de Rivoli entrance. Concorde station (Lines 1, 8 and 12) opens onto the Place de la Concorde, and Pyramides station (Lines 7 and 14) is a few minutes on foot. From Hôtel Le Pradey, walking is the simplest option.
