The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is a triumphal arch located just west of the Louvre Museum, at the eastern end of the Axe historique that runs through Paris. Commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 to commemorate his military victories, it was completed in 1808 and modeled after the Roman Arch of Constantine. Smaller and more delicate in scale than the larger Arc de Triomphe at Place Charles de Gaulle, this arch stands approximately 19 meters high and is richly decorated with bas-reliefs, Corinthian columns, and sculptures that celebrate Napoleon's victories and military campaigns.

Topped originally with the famous Horses of Saint Mark—looted from Venice and later returned—the arch now features a bronze quadriga with allegorical statues representing Peace riding in a triumphal chariot. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel forms a symbolic gateway between the Louvre and the Tuileries Gardens and is a key part of the historic axis that aligns several of Paris’s most iconic landmarks. Today, it serves as a graceful architectural centerpiece in the Louvre courtyard, bridging imperial ambition with classical artistry.

The Grand Bassin Rond is a large circular reflecting pool located in the heart of the **Tuileries Garden** in Paris, between the Louvre Museum and Place de la Concorde. Surrounded by green metal chairs typical of Parisian parks, it offers a peaceful spot for visitors to relax, watch the fountains play, or observe children sailing toy boats on the water. Framed by tree-lined paths, statues, and meticulously manicured lawns, the basin is a classic example of French formal garden design. As part of the historic axis running through Paris, it contributes to the elegance and symmetry of the Tuileries and offers a tranquil respite amidst the city's bustle.

The iconic Grande Roue de Paris, a 60-meter-tall transportable Ferris wheel, has become a seasonal highlight of the Jardin des Tuileries, installed at the corner of Rue Saint‑Roch since 2019 during the summer fair and winter Christmas market — a new home after it was relocated from its long-standing position at Place de la Concorde in 2018.

The wheel offers panoramic views of Paris landmarks including the Louvre, the Seine, and the Eiffel Tower, with heated gondolas enhancing the experience, especially at sunset when the city lights begin to twinkle .

Over time, this wheel—originally installed in the Tuileries back in the 1980s, then moved to Concorde, and later reinstalled in the garden—has become firmly associated with Parisian festivities and nostalgic fairground charm.

The wheel currently operates twice a year and there are discussions underway about making it a permanent fixture in the city, with the operator favoring the Tuileries as its ideal long‑term location..

The “Arbre des Voyelles” (meaning Tree of Vowels) is a bronze sculpture by Italian artist Giuseppe Penone. It was introduced to the Jardin des Tuileries in 1999, with surrounding landscape design by Pascal Cribier.

The work of art deceptively appears to be an uprooted tree fallen to the ground, but it is in fact a cast bronze replica of an oak tree, approximately 20–28 m long. The tangled roots form the letters A, E, I, O, U, referencing a Celtic druid alphabet that associates each vowel with a specific tree and deity. At the tips of the five branches stand living trees—an oak, alder, poplar, ash, and yew—creating a thoughtful interplay between death and renewal, the inert and the living, and blending art and ecological reflection in a dynamic seasonal installation.

The Bassin Octogonal (Octagonal Basin) is a central and iconic water feature in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, located near the western end of the garden between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde. Created in the 17th century as part of André Le Nôtre’s grand redesign of the gardens for King Louis XIV, the octagonal pool reflects the formal French garden style with its symmetry and classical proportions. Surrounded by paths, lawns, and statues, it serves as a popular gathering place where visitors can relax in the signature green metal chairs, watch the fountains play, or observe children sailing toy boats. With views of the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre, and the Arc de Triomphe in the distance, the basin offers a serene yet majestic spot at the heart of one of Paris’s most historic and beloved green spaces.

The Musée de l'Orangerie is a renowned art museum located in the western corner of the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris, celebrated especially for its remarkable display of Claude Monet’s Water Lilies (Nymphéas). Housed in a former 19th-century orangery building, the museum was transformed in the 1920s to accommodate Monet’s panoramic masterpieces, which he gifted to the French state. These monumental canvases are displayed in two oval rooms designed in consultation with Monet himself, offering an immersive, meditative experience that captures the shifting light and reflections of his beloved garden at Giverny.

Beyond Monet, the museum also features the Jean Walter and Paul Guillaume Collection, a stunning array of early 20th-century modern art. This includes works by Renoir, Cézanne, Matisse, Picasso, Modigliani, Derain, and Utrillo, among others. The Musée de l’Orangerie is cherished for its intimate atmosphere and thoughtfully curated selection, providing visitors with a rich yet accessible encounter with Impressionism, Post-Impressionism, and modern art in the heart of Paris.

The Statue de Marseille, also known as La Ville de Marseille, is one of the allegorical statues representing French cities located in the Jardin des Tuileries in Paris. Created in the late 19th century, it was sculpted by Louis-Joseph Daumas and is part of a series of 20 stone statues placed along the terraces of the garden, each personifying a major French city. The Marseille statue is depicted as a seated female figure, draped in classical robes, often holding symbols representing the city’s maritime heritage and significance as a major port.

Positioned near the Terrasse du Bord de l’Eau, the Statue de Marseille contributes to the harmonious blend of art, nature, and national pride that defines the Tuileries Garden. Like the other statues in the series, it reflects the 19th-century French tradition of using allegory and sculpture to celebrate regional identity and civic virtues, making it both a decorative and symbolic feature of this historic Parisian park.

Place de la Concorde is one of the most historic and largest public squares in Paris, situated between the Champs-Élysées and the Jardin des Tuileries. Designed in the mid-18th century by architect Ange-Jacques Gabriel, it was originally named Place Louis XV to honor the king. During the French Revolution, it became infamous as Place de la Révolution, the site where King Louis XVI, Queen Marie Antoinette, and thousands of others were executed by guillotine. The square's somber past is reflected in its monumental scale and neoclassical architecture, framed by elegant buildings and fountains.

Today, Place de la Concorde is known for its centerpiece—the Luxor Obelisk, a 3,300-year-old pink granite monument gifted by Egypt in the 19th century, which stands where the guillotine once stood. Flanked by two grand fountains inspired by those in Rome’s Piazza Navona, and offering panoramic views of key landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, the Madeleine Church, and the Arc de Triomphe, the square is a powerful symbol of France’s complex history and its transformation from monarchy to republic. It remains a vibrant crossroads of Parisian life and a stunning showcase of urban design.

We ended this two-part walking tour of the 1st and 2nd Arrondissements in Paris with a pleasant stop of one the most popular cafés in Paris, Le Soufflé. As the name indicates, this quaint little restaurant specializes in savory soufflés but offers a full range of French country classics. Looking for something sweet? Never fear ... they have decadently sweet soufflés as well as a wide range of pastries. We're not the only ones that love this cute slice of Paris. With a 4.8 rating on Google reviews it's apparently popular with everyone.

The Colonne Vendôme stands at the center of Place Vendôme in Paris and is one of the city's most iconic monuments. Originally erected by Napoleon I in 1810 to commemorate the victory of the French army at the Battle of Austerlitz, the column was modeled after Trajan’s Column in Rome. It is made of stone and covered with a bronze veneer crafted from cannons captured during the battle—reportedly over 1,200 of them. Spiraling up the column are reliefs that depict scenes from the campaign, celebrating the glory of the French military under Napoleon’s command. At the top originally stood a statue of Napoleon dressed as a Roman emperor, a symbolic blend of imperial power and classical authority.

The column has had a turbulent history, reflecting France’s shifting political landscapes. It was torn down in 1871 during the Paris Commune as a symbol of imperial militarism, only to be rebuilt shortly after the fall of the Commune. The current statue atop the column, installed in 1875, is a replica of the original, depicting Napoleon in a more traditional military uniform. Today, the Colonne Vendôme not only serves as a monument to French military prowess but also as a striking centerpiece in a square known for its elegance and luxury, surrounded by prestigious hotels, shops, and the French Ministry of Justice.

Passage Choiseul is one of Paris’s charming 19th-century covered arcades, located in the 2nd arrondissement between Rue des Petits-Champs and Rue Saint-Augustin. Built between 1826 and 1827 by architect François Mazois and completed by Antoine Tavernier, the passage was designed as a commercial and pedestrian thoroughfare, offering shelter and shopping convenience. Stretching around 190 meters, it is the longest covered passage in Paris. The architecture features a glass roof that floods the corridor with natural light, illuminating its elegant facades, mosaic floors, and shopfronts. Over the years, it has hosted a mix of boutiques, bookstores, cafés, and art galleries, contributing to its unique, slightly retro atmosphere.

Though it experienced a period of decline in the mid-20th century, Passage Choiseul has undergone significant restoration and revitalization, becoming a popular spot for both locals and tourists seeking a more intimate, off-the-beaten-path Parisian experience. It also holds cultural significance thanks to the Théâtre des Bouffes-Parisiens located within the passage, historically linked to composer Jacques Offenbach. Today, it offers a blend of history, culture, and daily Parisian life, representing the enduring appeal of the city’s lesser-known but deeply atmospheric corners.

The Bibliothèque nationale de France – Site Richelieu is a historic and architecturally significant branch of the French National Library, located on Rue de Richelieu in the 2nd arrondissement of Paris. Often referred to as the Bibliothèque de Recherche (Research Library), this site has served as a center for scholarly research and historical preservation for centuries. Originally established as the royal library in the 17th century under Cardinal Mazarin and later expanded under Louis XIV, the Richelieu site houses some of France’s most precious collections, including rare manuscripts, prints, photographs, coins, maps, and historical documents. The library's grand reading room, the Salle Labrouste, is a masterpiece of 19th-century architecture with its cast-iron structure and high vaulted ceilings, restored and reopened to the public in recent years.

In addition to its vast research resources, the Richelieu site underwent a major renovation in the 21st century to modernize its facilities while preserving its heritage. Completed in phases, the renovation has revitalized public access, improved conservation conditions, and created new exhibition spaces. The Galerie Mazarin and Musée de la BnF now host rotating exhibitions of treasures from the library’s holdings. Unlike the BnF’s François-Mitterrand site, which focuses more on contemporary and digital media, the Richelieu site remains deeply rooted in history and is a hub for academics, historians, and art scholars. Its blend of cultural richness and architectural beauty makes it a unique and essential part of Paris’s intellectual landscape.

Le Comptoir des Petits Champs is the quintessential Parisian bistrot with a slightly gourmet edge. Since it was situated along the route of our walking tour we included it as potential stop. Check out the review with photos and menu here.

Galerie Vivienne, nestled in the 2nd arrondissement near the Palais-Royal, is one of the most elegant and well-preserved covered passages in Paris. Built in 1823 and designed by architect François-Jacques Delannoy, it reflects the neoclassical style of the era with its ornate mosaic floors, glass roof, and finely detailed arches and columns. The passage was part of a larger trend in 19th-century Paris of creating arcades that allowed for refined shopping away from the muddy streets and unpredictable weather. Over the decades, Galerie Vivienne became a fashionable destination for Parisians, known for its luxury shops, bookstores, tea salons, and a distinctly Parisian charm that has endured.

Today, Galerie Vivienne remains a favorite for those seeking a quieter, more atmospheric experience away from the city’s busier boulevards. It houses a mix of high-end boutiques, independent designers, wine shops, and art galleries, blending old-world sophistication with contemporary Parisian style. The gallery's rich decor—especially its light-filled glass canopy and intricate floor mosaics—makes it not just a shopping arcade but a destination in its own right. Close to other cultural landmarks like the Bibliothèque Richelieu and the Palais-Royal, Galerie Vivienne offers a timeless window into the refined lifestyle of 19th-century Paris, still alive in a modern context.

The Domaine national du Palais-Royal is a historic and cultural landmark nestled in the heart of Paris, just steps from the Louvre. Originally built in the 17th century for Cardinal Richelieu, it became a royal residence and later a center of political and social life, especially during the tumultuous years leading up to the French Revolution. The complex consists of the Palais-Royal itself, elegant arcades, formal gardens, and the surrounding buildings that once housed shops, theaters, and cafes. The Jardin du Palais-Royal, with its manicured lawns, tree-lined paths, and central fountain, offers a peaceful retreat from the bustling city streets and remains a favorite among locals for its serene atmosphere.

Over time, the Palais-Royal has evolved into a space that blends history, art, and modern life. It is home to several important institutions, including the Conseil d’État (Council of State), the Constitutional Council, and the Ministry of Culture. The courtyard famously features the contemporary art installation Les Deux Plateaux by Daniel Buren, a series of black-and-white striped columns that contrast strikingly with the classical architecture and have become an iconic photo spot. With its mix of past and present, the Domaine national du Palais-Royal reflects the layered cultural heritage of Paris—where political power, artistic expression, and urban elegance coexist within one historic site.

The Pyramide du Louvre is a striking glass and metal pyramid located in the main courtyard (Cour Napoléon) of the Louvre Museum in Paris. Designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei and inaugurated in 1989, the pyramid serves as the museum's main entrance and a symbol of the blend between classical and modern architecture. Standing at 21.6 meters (about 71 feet) high and composed of 673 glass panes, the pyramid sparked intense public debate when it was first proposed, as its modernist design stood in stark contrast to the historic Louvre palace. Over time, however, it has become one of the most recognizable landmarks in Paris and a beloved feature of the museum complex.

Beyond its architectural boldness, the Pyramide du Louvre transformed the visitor experience at the world’s largest art museum. Its underground lobby, Carrousel du Louvre, helps manage the immense flow of visitors, offering access to different wings of the museum while preserving the historical integrity of the surrounding structures. The pyramid also aligns with the museum’s long central axis, which extends through the Tuileries Garden to the Arc de Triomphe and beyond. Today, the glass pyramid stands not only as a functional entry point but as a powerful visual metaphor for the Louvre itself—a meeting point between the past and the present.

The Cour Napoléon is the grand central courtyard of the Louvre Palace in Paris, located between the museum's historic wings and home to the famous Pyramide du Louvre. Named after Napoleon Bonaparte, who commissioned extensive renovations to the Louvre during his reign, the courtyard is a vast, open space that acts as both a ceremonial forecourt and a major access point to the museum. Surrounded by the classical façades of the Louvre’s Richelieu, Sully, and Denon wings, Cour Napoléon reflects centuries of French architectural evolution—from the Renaissance to the 19th century.

Since the addition of the glass pyramid by architect I. M. Pei in 1989, the Cour Napoléon has become a symbol of the fusion between historic grandeur and modern innovation. The pyramid not only serves as the main entrance to the museum but also transforms the courtyard into a striking visual composition, especially when illuminated at night. With its harmonious layout, elegant symmetry, and views of both the Louvre and the city beyond, the Cour Napoléon is more than a transitional space—it is an iconic Parisian destination in its own right, blending imperial history with contemporary design.