Jardin Boufflers, Public garden in central Metz, France
Jardin Boufflers is a public garden in central Metz, located behind the Palais de Justice and next to the Esplanade along boulevard Poincaré. Tall oak and lime trees line the paths, and a small promontory offers a view over the Saint-Symphorien water body and the island of Saulcy.
The garden traces back to a kitchen garden attached to a large house in the Haute-Pierre neighborhood, later used by the provincial governors of the region. In 1687, Louis-François de Boufflers, governor of the Three Bishops, opened it to the public, and the city of Metz named it in his honor.
A large equestrian statue of the Marquis de La Fayette, inaugurated in 1921, stands in the garden as a reminder of his decision to join the American Revolution. The work was made by sculptor Claude Goutin and remains one of the most noticed elements of the space.
The garden is open to pedestrians and easy to reach on foot from several points in the city center, including the nearby Esplanade and Palais de Justice. Walking through at any season is worthwhile, as the old trees change noticeably from spring to autumn.
Three of the trees growing in the garden are officially listed as notable and centuries-old specimens, which is rare for a small city park. Those interested in them can find more details on a dedicated website about monumental trees in France.
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