SENIORS RETURN TO PARIS



Filed under : Adventure Travel, Europe

Seniors Walk in the Tuileries Gardens

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The Jardin des Tuileries is one of Paris’s most visited gardens thanks to its central location. The Tuileries are part of a grand central axis leading from the Louvre all the way to La Défense, the city’s business district. The Tuileries Garden at one time had a tile factory onsite. That is where the name “Tuilerie” meaning “tile-factory” comes from.  Today this park is a favorite spot for seniors to walk or just sit on a bench and people watch.  Throughout its history the Tuileries was a place where parisians celebrated, met, promenaded and relaxed.

At the center of the park is an octagonal pond, known as the Grand Bassin where children can rent small boats. I watched a guy with a power boat chase ducks all around the pond until some folks got mad at  him. There are many other attractions for children such as the puppet theater, pony rides and a merry-go-round. Around the pond are nice lawns and alleys, all laid out in a geometrical pattern. All year round expect huge crowds in the park.

Stamped with History

Stamped with history, often of the bloody variety, the since-destroyed royal palace at Tuileries was stormed and pillaged during the revolution of 1789 and was later occupied by the last kings of France. In 1871, another revolution led to the arson of the Tuileries. Today the gardens remain and are a major source of fresh air and greenery.

Filled with dramatic statuary and perfectly symmetrical shrubbery, the Tuileries Garden covers about 63 acres (25 hectares) and still closely follows a design laid out by the royal landscape architect André Le Nôtre in 1664.  This  public garden is located between the Louvre Museum and the Place de la Concorde.

Senior Visitors, Let’s Take a Nice Long Walk

Seniors, if your visit to Paris is limited in time, this must walk called The Triomphal Way begins at the  Arc de Triomphe, takes you down the length of the Champs Elysees Avenue toward the Place de la Concorde, continues into the Tuileries and ends up at the Louvre Museum.  PS: It’s all downhill. At the entrance to the park to your left take in the Musée de l’Orangerie to see Monet’s water lily paintings. They are awesome.

Most Popular Attractions in Paris

I have always said that senior citizens in France need a good two weeks to take in Paris…maybe more.  Senior travelers will want to visit the most popular sites as they are listed here. Note that the Tuileries is one of them.  Find yourself a nice bench, cool off with a cool French drink and relax under the venerable chestnut trees that will drop nuts on your head in the fall. The Tuileries one of my favorite parks in Paris. Enjoy.  jeb

 

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