The 17th century Jardin du Luxembourg, the largest park in Paris covering an area of over 60 acres, is a green oasis in the heart of the city. Its beauty is enhanced not only by its lavishly landscaped gardens and the beautiful Luxembourg Palace, but also by its many statues, which includes a model of the Statue of Liberty!
The garden has two fountains of note. The Fontaine de Medicis, a baroque fountain built in 1624, and at the southern tip of the Jardin du Luxembourg (technically the Jardin Marco Polo), stands Fontaine de l'Observatoire, built in 1873 by Jean-Baptise Carpeaux.
A popular recreational area, people come here to meet friends for a game of chess, cards and to play boules (French ball game).
The gardens provide a great place to relax and watch the world go by as there are many chairs scattered around the park and several cafes.
Children can play with toy sailing boats, ride a pony or watch one of the puppet shows at the Théâtre des Marionnettes.
If visiting during the summer you may even be able to enjoy a free concert at the garden’s bandstand.
The ornate flower beds are re-planted several times a year, and during the summer months hundreds of potted orange trees, palm trees and pomegranate trees are placed along the garden's pathways adding to their charm.
The Palace and gardens were built between 1615 and 1627 by architect Salomon de Brosse, who had been commissioned by the French Queen Marie de Medicis. Marie, who was Florentine, requested Brosse to design a palace and gardens that would remind her of the Pitti Palace and Boboli garden of her native city, Florence.
The Luxembourg Palace is the home of the French senate, which has been housed here since 1958.
Address
Jardin du Luxembourg,
75006 Paris
How to Get There
RER: Luxembourg - Line B
Métro: Odéon - Lines 4 & 10.
Also many other metro stations are close by including Saint-Sulpice, Rennes, Saint-Placide, Notre-Dame des-Champs.
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