For those of us who love nothing more than to immerse ourselves in nature’s beauty, comes Jardin des Tuileries, a breathtaking environ of greenery and fleurs, a lush and traditional French Royal estate park and garden situated in the cité of Paris, separating the Louvre from the Place de la Concorde. Containing a cornucopia of trees, flowers, ponds, a large fountain, and centuries-old statues – which incidentally, also houses the stately home of The Musée de l’Orangerie, where visitors young-and-old can admire the works of celebrated French artists such as Claude Monet and Paul Cézanne.
Widely known as a peaceful place for a quintessential Parisian stroll, the Tuileries gardens is not without its troublesome past. Its l’histoire began when Queen Catherine de Medici decided to construct the Tuileries Palace in 1564, on top of a site where tile factories previously stood. (Hence the French word for ‘tiles’ - being ‘tuiles’). Then, in 1664, André Le Nôtre, the famous gardener of King Louis XIV, was hand-picked to transform the landscape of the palace into a vast and magnificent Florentine Garden. However, in 1870, tragedy struck: when the Tuileries Palace was burnt down by the Paris Commune. Luckily, the garden survived and is now one of the prettiest green spaces to visit for Parisians and tourists alike. A perfect location in fact - to shoot our latest Winter Leisurewear campaign - featuring mother/daughter modelling duo Ujjwala and Ksha Raut, as they celebrate their love of nature – immersed in the beauté of the Jardin des Tuileries.
It’s a typical blue/grey sky on a chilly Paris morning, but there’s no need to fuss. As Ujjwala and Ksha stroll along The Tuileries, they create their own ray of sunshine: leisurely laughing and joking together as mothers and daughters often tend to do, while walking their dog and pointing out the majestic arbres of the gardens. Just like bumping into an old friend, Ujjwala points to her favourite place, the Tuileries fountain – the perfect spot to draw up a chair and read a book, whilst immersing oneself in the glorious views of Paris with loved ones.
A fitting background we think, to our élégant Winter Leisurewear range - as Ksha wears our Reversible Puffer Jacket with a playful stroke d’art: echoing the vibrant beauté of the French alps on one side, and a solid Beige colour on the reverse. Teamed with an Alpine Green cotton cashmere jumper underneath and a Marshmallow Marle Herringbone Leisure Pant, Ksha is bright and ready for her walk through the Jardins de Paris. Ujjwala on the other hand, takes a more relaxed turn in a pairing of textures – in a Boat Neck “French Alps” long-sleeved Landscape T-shirt and Wool Scarf, Bengajean® Alpine Green Cord Straight Leg, and a Sable Mohair Blend Cardigan - a great choice to keep the day flowing, in chic laissez-faire style, a parfait set of winter essentials for your own weekend escapades.
Speaking of escapades, we’ve rounded up a list of great garden walks for the weekend - in your very own neck of the woods. So, grab your baguettes, pastries, cakes, family pooch and picnic paraphernalia – for an Australian garden adventure near you!
The Botanical Gardens, Melbourne
Founded in 1846, The Royal Botanical Gardens in Melbourne is best known for its variety of oasis-like delights, for all garden-dwellers. Discover the free walking tour, or, to get a deeper understanding of the local custodians of the land, enjoy an Aboriginal Heritage Walk, filled with other-worldly fleurs, majestic arbres and picture-perfect lakes. Love the unusual? Visit an arid garden, full of cacti. Need a dose of tranquility away from the buzz of the city? Visit the Wellbeing Gardens called Ferngully, a mecca of deep introspection, with three meditative spaces to boost your inner zen. Best of all? Is the famous ‘walk around the tan’, followed by a high tea with a glass of champagne and scones with jam at the Jardin Tan, or if you are looking for fare that is more art nouveau – head to the Garden House for a 'Botanical Wonderland style' High Tea – where a miniature edible garden served on a bed of chocolate 'soil' may be more to your liking. Ooh, la la! All in all, it’s a landmark destination – for the curious kind!
Royal Botanical Gardens, Birdwood Ave, Melbourne, 3000.
The Calyx, Royal Botanic Gardens, Sydney
Fancy an urban oasis outing – exhibition style? If you are privy to a flower show-or-two, or hold a horticultural level of curiosity, then say hello to the Calyx, an immersive indoor and outdoor horticultural exhibition space located within the spectacular urban oasis of the Royal Botanical Gardens, the oldest botanical garden in Australia. Home to one of the largest green walls in the southern hemisphere, and featuring a café, gift shop and myriad of events and workshops, the in-depth experience of the Calyx is one for the taking. Past exhibits include Sweet Addiction – the botanical story of chocolate, and Plants With Bite – a massive display showcasing the larger-than-large world of carnivorous plants. Great for kids and adults alike; The Calyx will surely pique your garden interest!
Royal Botanical Gardens, Mrs Macquaries Road, Sydney NSW 2000
Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens, Tasmania
Fancy a day out in the green? Enjoy a bit of horticultural history à la Française, at the Royal Tasmanian Botanical Gardens - with a French explorer’s garden, complete with a conservatory, (housing a beautiful, enchanted fountain … c’est si bon!), outdoor lily pond, Japanese garden and even a cultivated Tasmanian community food garden - emphasising sustainability and conservation work to preserve Tasmania’s unique plant species. Special to this festoon of floristry? Is that each part of the garden gets to tell its own histoire - in bringing to life the stories behind its creation - of how horticulture grew its popularity in Tasmania. Apart from its vast beauty, 50-minute walking tours are available to take in the Garden’s highlights; a succulent eatery offers snacks, coffee or lunch; and best of all - scenic buggy tours are on the agenda to uncover and explore their beautiful gardens in style and comfort. Offering you a must-see experience: leaving you with memories to last a lifetime.
Lower Domain Road, Queens Domain, Hobart
Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Adelaide
Are you seeking to explore a wonderland immersed in lush greenery, including a greenhouse that echoes the beauté of old-world Victorian architecture? Whether you wish to learn, explore or enjoy nature greenery, the historical Adelaide Botanic Gardens is a unique place to visit. Come here to walk along a path with majestic arbres lined up on either side of you, or simply sit on a bench and restore your energy from the hurriedness of life. If you love a bit of old-world architecture, visit the ornate glasshouses at Palm House or the Bicentennial Conservatory. Fancy a glass menagerie of zen-like tranquility? Enter the Amazon Waterlily Pavilion to learn about this very special flower, including a landscape of unique gardenia that surrounds it. Pure regal magic - for everyone to enjoy.
North Terrace, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia.
Entrances: North Terrace, Plane Tree Drive, Hackney Road and Frome Road.
