Parks, Squares & Gardens ~ Jardin des Tuileries

These gardens were once the gardens of the old Palais des Tuileries.  The garden runs parallel to the Seine, stretching from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde~over 60 acres.
Parisians love their gardens.  It's where they go to jog, take a break from work, read, sunbathe, get together with friends, take the kids to play and, like us, eat.  In the Tuileries,  walking or picnicking on the grass (lawn) is interdit (forbidden) but there are many benches and chairs available.

On this particular lazy day, we had slept late then gone to make reservations for our Normandy D-day beach tour.  Then we needed 'a rest', so we picked up sandwiches and headed to the Tuileries.

The flowers were beautiful, it was a warm,sunny day and the park was not crowded at all.

There are several pools located throughout the garden; the large octagonal one is at the Place de la Concorde end of the garden.  We were at the Louvre end, which you can see in the background.

This is the large alley on the rue de Rivoli (north) side of the garden.  Further down, on the inside, there is a large play area for kids.  There are trampolines and a carousel and pony rides.
There are a couple cafes and several little food (ice cream) carts located throughout as well.

Woody contemplating (waiting for me to get done taking pictures).  He fed the last of his baguette to the pigeons which is a very enjoyable past time but illegal from what I've read.

There are sculptures throughout; most in the classical style. Each year that we have visited there has been some 'unusual' art in the park.  One year it was a huge iron spider, this time it was this very long ?column laying on its side extending from the pool all the way to the perimeter of the park (towards the Seine).  I wasn't able to identify it.  I thought it annoying because it obstructed the walkway on that side of the garden.

The central alley offers a wonderful view of the obelisk on the Place de la Concorde, then all the way up the Champs Elysees to the Arc de Triomphe and in the far distance the square arch of La Defense.

Nice views of the Eiffel Tower.

Gorgeous flowers.

I really like the dahlias.  You see them in all the parks.

Usually on the weekends, you'll see kids sailing these boats in the various pools.  No sailors today but very interesting boats. (Note the tires on the wagon.)

Every year, in the summer, a fair is held in the garden and the large ferris wheel is located in this space.

Another view of "art in the park".

I was amazed to see irises in September. These were located on the edge of a large bed of lavender which you can see in the background.

I never get tired of the Tuileries.  It is right in the heart of the city and so close to everything.  You can always manage to walk through on your way to or from somewhere.

Once we were rested & fortified, we continued to browse the souvenir shops

 on the rue de Rivoli and get our kids t-shirts.  

Being a tourist is hard work!