Madeline Promenade!

Welcome to the Madeline Walking Tour!  I grew up reading the Madeline series by Ludwig Bemelmans.  Each night, my mom would come into my room to read me a story and I would always pick out one of the Madeline books to read.  Madeline is the reason I started taking french classes when I was in elementary school.  I wanted to be just like her and have adventures in Paris.  Little did I know then, that 12 years later I would be fulfilling my Madeline dream and living in Paris and exploring the city just like Madeline did in the books!  I have created a walking tour that travels through Paris and the many places Madeline visited on her outings with the other 11 girls and Ms. Clavel!  I hope you enjoy the tour which includes stops at the Luxembourg Gardens, Pont Neuf, Notre Dame, The Tuilerie Gardens, and of course the Eiffel Tower!

"In an old house in Paris that was covered with vines

Lived twelve little girls in two straight lines 

In two straight lines they broke their bread 

And brushed their teeth and went to bed. 

They left the house at half past nine 

In two straight lines in rain or shine- 

The smallest one was Madeline." 

The walking tour begins at the Luxembourg Gardens located in the 6th arrondissement.  You can enter the Gardens through any of the 4 streets surrounding the gardens.  Rue de Vaugirard, Boulevard St. Michel, Rue Auguste Comte, or Rue Guynemer, are all possible entry streets depending on where you are coming from.  The gardens are surrounded by a tall black fence with gold peaks at the top, you can't miss it!

 

1. Take a stroll through the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens and marvel at the landscape and superbly kept grounds of the gardens.  I would suggest packing a picnic and eating it along the gardens or on some of the many chairs or benches that are available to the public!  Madeline and her 11 friends used to stroll through these same gardens with Mrs. Clavel on their daily outings.  In the book, "Madeline," the Luxembourg gardens are featured on the page where it says, " They left the house at half past nine, in rain, or shine." The gardens were originally owned by the duke of Luxembourg. The estate was then purchased in 1612 by Marie de' Medici, mother of Louis XIII.  The gardens were originally designed with an italian style for Marie de Medici who was of Italian descent.  When the gardens were opened to the public in the 19th century, the gardens were reconstructed to have a more french style. The Luxembourg gardens currently house the French Senate located in the Palais du Luxembourg. 

2. The next stop on the tour is Pont-Neuf, the oldest bridge in Paris!  From L'Ecole National Supérieure des Mines, located on the bottom right side of the gardens, exit the Luxembourg Gardens and take a left onto Boulevard St. Michel. Continue straight down Boulevard St. Michel for about 10 minutes until you run into the St. Michel Fountain and Place St. Michel. Facing the Seine river, take a left onto Quai des Grands Augustins. Continue straight until you reach Pont Neuf on your left! Pont Neuf is the bridge Madeline fell off of into the cold Seine river! This is where Genevieve the dog came to her rescue! Pont Neuf means "new bridge" so its funny that it is the oldest bridge in Paris! It was built by Henry III in 1578 and was completed by Henry IV in 1607 to connect Paris with ile de la cite.  Pont Neuf has 12 arches and spans 275 meters (912ft).

3. After crossing over Pont Neuf, take a right onto Quai des Orfevres. Continue straight until you see Notre Dame in front of you! Notre Dame is the third stop on the tour and another place Madeline visits with the other school girls on their daily outings! Notre Dame is one of the most well known and recognizable cathedrals in Paris. Notre Dame de Paris is widely considered one of the finest examples of Gothic Architecture in France and in Europe.  Construction on Notre Dame began in 1163 and it was not fully competed until 1345.  The long construction period included many different architects, which is evidenced by the many different architectural styles of Notre Dame.  Its one of the aspects that makes Notre Dame so unique.

4. Facing Notre Dame, turn to your left and walk straight to Rue d'Arcole.  You will see Pont d'Arcole, cross the bridge and turn left onto Quai de Gesvres.  Continue walking straight along Quai de Gesvres. (Note: Quai de Gesvres turns into Quai Francois Mitterrand).  Turn right onto Avenue du Gal. Lemonnier.  You have reached the Tuilerie Gardens! This is another favorite spot of Madeline's where she and the other schoolgirls went with Ms. Clavel during their outings.  The Tuilerie gardens boast beautiful sculptures, gardening, and lots of pretty trees all lined up in rows.  This is a perfect spot to get an ice cream and relax by the reflecting pond or find a secluded spot to take in the beautiful atmosphere.  The Tuilerie gardens are the largest and oldest public parks in Paris.  The Tuilerie Gardens were commissioned by Catherine de Medicis in 1564.  The gardens were first opened to the public in 1667 and officially became a public park after the French Revolution.

5. Walk to the end of the gardens so you are facing Place de la Concorde. Take a left onto Rue St. Florentine de St. Georges. Cross the Seine over Pont de la Concorde. After crossing the bridge, take a right onto Quai d'Orsay. Continue straight along Quai d'Orsay which will eventually turn into Quai Branly. Continue straight until Pont d'Lena is on your right. If you look to your left, you will see the Eiffle Tower. Our 5th and final stop on the tour. Madeline's boarding house was located right near the Eiffle tower in the 7th arrondissement! She would wake up to the sight of the Eiffle tower everyday! The Eiffel tower was constructed by Gustave Eiffel for the World Fair in 1889.  It has become both a global icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world.

-FIN-