A Walking Tour Paris

Dotted with sculptures by Coysevoix, Coustou, Sicard, Landowski and Rodin, the garden’s formal lawns, trees and fountains are meticulously maintained and are popular all year round. The numerous wooden benches quickly fill up as soon as the weather turns fine enough for people to sit outside.

Located on the garden’s central axis is the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, a triumphal arch built to celebrate Napoleon’s victories of 1805. This part of the garden was originally known as Jardin du Carrousel and was one of the grand approaches to the Palais des Tuileries. The Arc was built by architects Percier and Fontaine in 1806–08. Its marble columns are topped by statues of soldiers from Napoleon’s Grande Armée. These replace the Horses of St Mark’s, which were originally placed here but had to be returned to Venice after Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo in 1815. The gilded figure of Victory at the top is by Lemot.