 |
 |  |
 |
 |
 |
Why you'll love the Luxembourg Garden
Imagine walking down a shaded alleyway and the noise of the gravel under your feet makes you feel like you are in a 19th century period film. As the palm trees sway in the wind and the fragrance of the multi-colored flowers perfume the air, you feel like you are in the South of France and your private beach chair is being held by a gorgeous tan man/woman.
But alas no, you are in the center of Paris in the beautiful Luxembourg Garden. Framed by bustling boulevards, the Luxembourg Garden is a place to play cards in the shade, read a book on a bench, or get a tan near the water basin.
For those with children, and who want to give their child a very French childhood memory, you can rent little boats that can be placed in the water basin. The Luxembourg Garden is also a spot where many Hollywood and French stars come during their time in Paris, making it great for celebrity sightings.
The Luxembourg Garden is actually just a “simple” garden for what used to be the Luxembourg Palace, now the Senate building. The palace was built in 1615 for the queen of France, Marie de Medici.
Take RER B to LUXEMBOURG and use exit Jardin du Luxembourg, Boulevard Saint-Michel Cote des No. Pairs”. Once out of the Metro station, go straight for about 3 yards and the main entrance to the park will be on your left.
Whenever you see any chair free, don’t hesitate to take it and to move it to wherever you want to sit. On sunny days chairs go quickly!
To rent you personal little boat, check the booth that is located right next to the main water basin.
At that time, Medici was living in the Louvre Castle, which was rather on the dark side, and she felt as though the Luxembourg Gardens and Palace offered her a breath of fresh air. The building process however, was less than simple. When her husband, the king of France, was assonated, she ruled the country until her son was old enough to rule. But when he was of age, he sent his mother into exile, where she still continued to build the Luxembourg Palace from afar. As she was allowed back into Paris in 1625, in honor of Medici’s daughter’s wedding to the king of England, the Luxembourg Palace was finally inaugurated.
During the French Revolution however, it was transformed into a prison, and later, it was transformed to house the senate.
