La Grotte du Champ de Mars is a hidden gem in the hustle and bustle of the Eiffel Tower. I live just near to the Champ de Mars and go running there multiple times a week and I never knew of La Grotte du Champ de Mars. A few weeks ago, during the Fête des Jardins (Festival of Gardens) I was walking through the Champ de Mars and noticed a sign and a table set up for the Fête des Jardins that said ‘La Grotte du Champ de Mars’.
I had never noticed this small entrance near to one of the Eiffel Towers’ legs. It led into a beautifully landscaped rock ‘cave’ and pond. The cave was very peaceful and quiet with a beautiful waterfall falling into the pond that was just beneath a leg of the Eiffel Tower.
From the cave, was beautiful views of the Eiffel Tower through the trees that shaded the pond. It was so peaceful and quiet in the cave, it didn’t seem like the always busy Champ de Mars.
As you walk through the cave to the back, there are a set of stairs carved into the rock that leads onto the top of the cave. This small area above the cave has a beautiful view of the pond and an even more beautiful view of Eiffel Tower.
With a bench at the top, this is the perfect place to sit in the peace and quiet (I was the only person there!) and reflect on how lucky you are to be in such a beautiful city. It didn’t even seem like I was in Paris anymore. It was a wonderful break from the busyness of the city.
When I got home, I had to know the history of La Grotte du Champ de Mars. I googled and googled but unfortunately was not able to find anything about it! The only references I could find was from the Fête des Jardins saying that it would be open to visit during the Festival. Sadly, there was no other information. No history, nothing. I couldn’t even find when it is open to visitors.
Even though it seems to be rarely open to visit, I definitely recommend taking a walk to see if it is open during your visit to the Eiffel Tower. It provides a beautiful view of the Eiffel Tower that not many people get to see and a wonderful place to rest your tired legs. It is even a very romantic place if you are with someone special!
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