Trocadero gardens
The Trocadéro gardens, are situated in the 17th district of Paris. Found between the Palais de Chaillot and the Pont d’Iéna, otherwise known as the “Jena Bridge”, the garden is a large open green area overlooking the River Seine; the perfect place to take a leisurely stroll.
The gardensoffer an exceptionally spectacular view of the Eiffel Tower, allowing the viewer to admire the iconic structure in all its glory. The first garden was constructed for the Universal Exposition of 1878 to be shown alongside the “Trocadéro Palace” which, at the top of the Chaillot hill, was a building of oriental style adorned with Arabic minarets. The site was transformed for the Universal Exposition of 1937, and the garden that we know today was installed.
At the centre lies a vast lawn, adorned with a platform, on top of which is the famous Varsovie fountain, created in 1937. The uppermost section of the fountain is equipped with 20 powerful water cannons (that pump water at a rate of 5700 litres per second), which flows down into another smaller pool via a waterfall, in the direction of the Seine. Each side is bordered with water jets which send water arching over the main pool. At night, a play of light illuminates the golden busts of the bull and horses - an absolutely must-see show.
Towards Iéna Avenue is the Cinéaqua, the Aquarium of Paris. This is the largest aquarium in France and makes for a good visit. Above it, the Palais de Chaillot is home to several museums, theatres and restaurants, with the Forecourt of Human Rights at its centre. Sloping gently down each side of the Palace are English-style landscape gardens heading down towards the Seine, following the fountains and pools. Together, with hundreds of trees and numerous sculptures from the 30’s, this is a destination especially popular on hot summer days.
A trip to the Trocadéro Gardens is included in the Pais Must by Minibus package, available at Pariscityvision.com