Jardins de l'Archipel des Berges de Seine Niki-de-Saint-Phalle, Floating gardens on the Seine riverbanks near Invalides, France.
The Jardins de l'Archipel des Berges de Seine consists of five landscaped metal barges anchored along the riverbank in central Paris near the Invalides district. The floating islands are planted with native vegetation and create a green corridor stretching across the water with varying plant densities throughout.
These floating gardens opened in 2014 as part of Mayor Anne Hidalgo's wider plan to remake the Seine riverbanks into green, walkable spaces for the public. The project launched a larger transformation of how the city uses the river's edge in its central areas.
The gardens honor Franco-American artist Niki de Saint Phalle, whose large colorful female sculpture greets visitors near the entrance. Her artistic vision shapes the character of this place and reflects her belief in merging nature with creative expression.
The site is freely accessible and can be reached from Invalides metro station nearby. Visitors can join guided nature walks to learn about the local plants and animals living in and around the water.
Each of the five barges is planted differently, creating small habitats with varying ecological conditions along the river. This patchwork design attracts bird species and insects that are uncommon to find in central Paris and turns the water into a living corridor.
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