allees

Allees is a term used in landscaping and urban design to describe a tree-lined walkway, passage, or axis within gardens, parks, or streets. The concept emphasizes perspective, shade, and a guided movement along a defined route. In garden design, an allée is typically a straight or gently curved corridor flanked by evenly spaced trees or shrubs, creating a formal visual procession toward a focal point such as a statue, fountain, or building. In urban contexts, an allée may refer to a street or avenue whose central feature is aligned rows of trees or other plantings.

Etymology and usage: Allée is a French word meaning “a path for walking,” derived from the verb aller, “to go,” with the -ée suffix forming a noun. The term is widely used in French-speaking regions and is borrowed in landscape architecture to describe a specific planting pattern that governs sightlines and movement. In English-language practice, allée describes both garden features and tree-lined streets, though it is most common in formal or historical contexts.

Design characteristics: Key elements include symmetry, regular spacing of trees, and a clear axis that guides the eye and the stroll. Allées can vary in width and tree species, but their defining attribute remains the paired alignment that establishes rhythm, shade, and a sense of arrival.

See also: Avenue, Promenade, Tree-lined street, Landscape architecture.