The Jardin Royal is an urban garden with a traditional English layout and an array of sculptures. It dates back to the 18th century and covers 4 acres (1.7 hectares) of scenic terrain, made up of a variety of exotic trees and other vegetation. Enjoy the utter tranquility in this serene and verdant oasis near the city center.
Bring food and drink for a picnic on a patch of grass in these picturesque surroundings. Gaze at the large lake, whose fountain spurts water high in the air. Ducks frequently swim along the surface and rest on the shoreline. The water feature has an elegant bridge that creates an enchanting crossing. Notice how the branches of trees interweave around this romantic bridge.
Inspect the eclectic range of trees and other vegetation. Among these are such exotic gems as ginkgo biloba, magnolias and tulip trees. Go jogging along the paths of the park and join the sports games and exercises. A raised footpath connects the park to the Square Boulingrin park, which in turn leads to the Jardin des Plantes.
Get a closer look at some of the intriguing statues that adorn the Jardin Royal. Among the highlights is the sculpture of famous author Antoine de Saint-Exupéry holding in his hands his classic children’s book The Little Prince.
Enter the park for free. It opens daily from early morning until evening. Hours are a little shorter in winter. The park has an important role in the history of Toulouse, as its first public garden, dating back to 1754.
Find the Jardin Royal on the western side of the Square Boulingrin, which lies in the southeastern part of Toulouse’s town center. Get the metro to the Carmes or Palais de Justice stops and walk east for a few minutes to arrive here. Make sure to see other sights in the area, such as the Paul Dupuy Museum, the Théâtre Sorano and the Toulouse Museum.
