A great place to relax in Paris, to have picnic, to walk around, or just to stand sitting near the central fountain, with it’s ducks and children pushing sailboats across.
In Paris there are several green spaces, but the largest, and one of the most beautiful is the Luxembourg Garden (or Jardin du Luxembourg).
The Jardin du Luxembourg is the biggest park in Paris, covering a massive 23 hectares (which is more than 55.5 acres), but it’s not just a pretty public park. It also happens to be attached to a beautiful 17th-century palace, the Luxembourg Palace,which is actually where the French Senate meets.
The Luxembourg Palace, or Palais du Luxembourg, was built in the early 1600s for Marie de Medicis, King Louis XIII’s mother.
Designed and built at the same time as the palace, the Luxembourg Gardens feature many attractions other than just green space. There are the requisite flower beds and fountains, and plenty of statues and monuments to look at, (including one of the Statue of Liberty w/ a large American Oak and a plaque commemorating Sept.11th), but the Jardin du Luxembourg is especially great for traveling families because of the many kid-centric activities available, such as pony rides, puppet show théâtre and miniature boat sailing on the central pond.
The park itself has some beautifully manicured lawns but unfortunately they don’t allow you to sit on the grass, which is a shame. Instead the city has placed hundreds of metal chairs within the park that people are free to use. There are some cement pathways and in the middle it’s tree lines so it’s good for some shade. Luxembourg Garden Open to the public – Typically opens between 7:30am and 8:15am, and can close anywhere from 4:45pm and 9:45pm (depending on the season/month)
It’s only a few blocks from the Seine and a stone’s throw from the Pantheon.
3 comments
stouf
I loved this place since childhood... Pushed little boats on the pond and drove pedal-karts... Nice vintage gallery of the 'Luco' !
coca
great shots!
bravopires
marvellous bw!