Perched on the Chaillot hill facing the Seine, the Trocadéro Gardens offer one of the most iconic views of the Eiffel Tower. Covering nearly 94,000 m², this green expanse lies between the Palais de Chaillot and the riverbank. The centerpiece is the Warsaw Fountain, designed by Roger‑Henri Expert for the 1937 International Exposition. It features 20 water cannons reaching 50 m high, 56 jets, and 12 water columns in a choreographed aquatic spectacle. On hot days, locals and visitors relax on the lawns or cool off at the fountains; dogs are welcome on leashes.

The gardens date back to 1878, when landscaper Adolphe Alphand created a first garden with cascades and statues for that year’s Universal Exposition. In 1937, the original Trocadéro Palace was replaced by the Palais de Chaillot and the gardens were completely redesigned to combine scenic landscaping with monumental architecture.

Flanking the central fountain, the east and west sections follow an English garden style, with winding paths, small bridges, a stream, and shaded groves of plane trees, cedars, and lindens. Scattered throughout are striking sculptures from the 1930s — including “L’Homme de Traverse,” “La Femme,” and gilded horse and bull heads — beautifully illuminated at night .

Families appreciate the children’s play area, carousel, swings, sandbox, and ping‑pong tables. Amenities include snack bars, drinking fountains, and mobile public restrooms, including one accessible to disabled visitors. It’s easily reachable by Metro lines 6 & 9 (Trocadéro), buses 22, 30, 32, 63, or a short walk across the Iéna Bridge. While there’s no onsite parking, nearby public garages serve visitors.

The gardens draw a diverse crowd — families, couples, tourists, rollerbladers, and skateboarders cruising the gentle slopes. Historically, during WWI in 1915, part of the grounds became a vegetable garden to support military telegraph operators. In winter, when the fountain freezes, it sometimes becomes a temporary skating rink. The area also hosted events during the Tokyo 2021 and Paris 2024 Olympics.