Today, the Tuileries Gardens are a popular spot for Parisians of all ages, but it's often forgotten that a palace once stood in this beautiful green setting. And yet, the Palais des Tuileries was the starting point for Paris's historic main thoroughfare, which offers a beautiful view of the Arc de Triomphe and Place de la Concorde.
Commissioned by Queen Catherine de Médicis, the Palais des Tuileries takes its name from the former tile factory on whose site it was erected in 1564. It became the Parisian residence of many French rulers, including kings Henri IV and Louis XIV, and emperor Napoleon 1er. Ravaged by fire in 1871 during the Paris Commune, the Palais was destroyed, and its remains can now be found abroad.
But some remains of the Palais des Tuileries have remained in the capital, sometimes far from its original location. Finding them is a real treasure hunt. So, where can you see the remains of the Palais des Tuileries in Paris?
Let's start at the starting point: the Jardin des Tuileries. Towards the entrance on the Place de la Concorde side, an arcade can be found. Originally, there were two of them, known as the Delorme and Bullant arcades. They were removed in 1993 so that they could be restored, but only one was reinstalled in 2011. It can be seen at the foot of the Jeu de Paume.
Then it's off to the Musée du Louvre. In the Cour Marly, if you look carefully, you'll notice that the entrance to a passageway is marked by a beautiful arcade surrounded by two columns. In the Galeries du Carrousel du Louvre, several statues from the Palais des Tuileries are also on display.
Moving away from theformer site of the Palais des Tuileries, we take a stroll through the Marais district. Just a stone's throw from the Musée Carnavalet , which immerses us in thehistory of Paris, is a pretty, secret green space. It's the Square Georges Caïn. What makes it special? It's home to many remains of vanished monuments, and serves as a lapidary repository for the Musée Carnavalet. Here, you can discover the pediment of the central pavilion of the Palais des Tuileries.
Other elements can also be found in other famous Parisian landmarks, including the Jardin du Trocadéro, the Jardin du Luxembourg, theHôtel de Rochechouart and the courtyard of theEcole des Beaux-Arts. If you're walking along rue Murillo in Paris's 8th arrondissement, you'll want to linger in front of no. 9. In this small courtyard, hidden behind a climbing plant, you'll find a bust. It too belonged to the Tuileries Palace. So, as you stroll through the capital, keep your eyes peeled - and the right ones!
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