JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG

The domaine was purchased by Marie de Medicis, the widow of King Henri IV, between 1614 and 1631.  After the king was murdered, she decided to move from the Louvre and to build her palace and garden inspired by the Boboli gardens in Florence. The building now houses the Senate.

• 10 minutes walking distance
• One of the largest green spaces in the center of Paris (56 acres)
• Children: rent small boats at the Grand Bassin (large pond in the middle of the park), puppet theater, pony rides, a merry-go-round, large playground
• Adults: lots of chairs to sit on, good for running, popular with chess players and « pétanque » players, a few tennis courts, basketball court, the music pavilion (and its concerts)
• Museum : very enjoyable small museum open for temporary exhibitions
• Paris most beautiful flowerbeds
• Medicis fountain, a romantic baroque fountain designed in the early 17th century
• Over 100 statues honoring politicians, queens, scientists, sculptors, painters, poets, composers but also statues inspired by mythology
• Orangery dating back from 1839 with 180 plants

TIPS

Enjoy a hot chocolate at “Angelina” and their famous Mont blanc cake or their cake created exclusively for whatever exhibition is happening at the museum

Stop by the shop of pastry chef Sadaharu Aoki on 35 rue de Vaugirard who mixes Japanese flavors in traditional French pastries

Have lunch or dinner at restaurant “La Cuisine de Philippe” who specializes in soufflé or “Le Bon Saint Pourcain” on the same street.

Lunch or dinner at “Le Timbre” rue Sainte Beuve. 

Enjoy a drink during the summer at the place in front of the Theatre de l’Odéon