The garden was created in 1863 by Barillet-Descamps, a landscape architect and chief gardener for the City of Paris. It is a typical example of an English garden, characterised by a romantic imitation of nature. Each summer, 21,000 plants adorn the sloping lawns alongside statues of notable figures and a memorial to Charles de Gaulle. 

In the centre of the garden, the ”Chalet aux Chèvres” (goats' shelter), has hosted a puppet theatre since 1989. A fruit tree cultivation garden houses old regional varieties of pear and apple trees. Workshops were created in 1868 to teach fruit tree growing, and the gardener still gives classes today.