Restoring the Garden’s Grande Allée

Presentation

In 2011, upon approval of the French National Commission for Historic Monuments, a master plan for making the greener was adopted. The plan involved the restoration of two areas: first, the so-called Birds’ Grove ( des Oiseaux) and now, the Grande Allée.

The goal of the project carried out by the Musée du and Chief Architect of Historic Monuments (ACMH) of the Tuileries Garden is twofold: - First, to replace the trees cut down during the and restore the original layout of Le Nôtre’s garden. The Grand Couvert—the name given to the wooded part of the garden—and the historical axis of , prolonged by the Champs-Élysées, will be better showcased. - Second, to attenuate the break in the middle of the Grand Couvert by increasing the number of trees. The goal is to bring in more cool shade and greenery for the comfort of visitors while promoting biodiversity in the garden.

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The Choice of Elm Trees

The choice of elm trees to restore the Grande Allée was made on the basis of abundant historical, scientific, and landscape documentation.

Elm is a variety that has been present in the Tuileries Garden since the time of Le Nôtre, but that has since disappeared. A plant pathogen, Dutch elm disease, ravaged the elms in the 1970s. Since then, the French National Institute for Agricultural Research (INRA) developed a new variety that is resistant to the disease. It is this variety, Ulmus minor Vada® ‘Wanoux’, that was chosen to restore the Grande Allée. Moreover, the tree is suited to the soil in the Tuileries Garden and changing climatic conditions. Its slender silhouette will enhance the effect of perspective and better frame the views toward the Louvre to the east and the Champs-Élysées to the west.

Ulmus minor Vada® ‘Wanoux’, girth 30/35, planted in 2017 Sceaux Departmental Estate, Plaine de Châtenay. ©Noémie Lecomte/Musée du Louvre, 2019

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Provisional Project Budget

Amount in € Sections all taxes included

Preliminary study, coordination and €48,000 oversight €84,000 Project led by the Chief Architect of Historic Monuments €690,000

Tasks Planting of lining trees, restoration of soil condition Supply of lining trees €178,000

Revisions, updates and contingencies

TOTAL €1,000,000

Provisional Calendar of Events

November 2020 - December 2021 January 2021 - March 2021

Worksite installation Supply and planting of 92 elm trees

Soil preparation Installation of tree guards

Ground cover work Creation of planting pits

Restoration of 26 benches Creation of 6 benches

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