Jardin des Tuileries

Not very long ago, I was taking photos at the Jardin des Tuileries. Up on one of the tiers, I had a good view of people and noticed that though many people pass through the jardin, few people explore it. I admit that on prior visits the jardin was merely a passage way from the Place de la Concorde to the Musée du Louvre and it always felt like a long passage. With a little more time to spend, I discovered there are sculptures, hidden spaces, labyrinths and beautiful flowers. Away from the main walkway, the Jardin des Tuileries is romantic, intimate and formal at the same time. Located in the busiest part of Paris, the Jardin des Tuileries was the private garden for the Palais du Louvre and Palais des Tuileries when they were royal residences. Louis XIV lived there before building Versailles. In 1664, André LeNotre was commissioned to design the garden and even today it is easy to imagine how the garden looked during the times of the kings. Napoleon's contribution is the Arc du Carrousel celebrating France's victories of 1805. I have visited this garden many times, morning, noon and early evening. Once when passing through at early evening, the crowds had gone, the light had softened and the garden took on a mysterious mood. The sculptures really took form and became more relevant. The pools reflected the blues, violets, pinks and oranges of the sky. Lovers took advantage of empty benches. the fragrance of the flowers was more pronounced and the general atmosphere was like one of Satie's Gymnopédies. While there was still a little light, I took some photos. I could not stop taking photos. It was one of those moments we all hope for, when the senses are just right. It is when you feel totally aware. It's a shame those moments can be so rare.