Promenade: Jardin du Luxembourg

Every day I pass it. It’s right outside my house. It’s my front yard. It’s also the second largest garden park in Paris. It’s the Garden of Luxembourg. This beautiful garden attracts many people every day, whether to sail boats, picnic, or simply marvel at the gardens undeniable magnificence. But to me, it’s my own personal backyard where I can go and just reflect and feel at peace.

The Garden of Luxembourg is located in the 6^th arrondissement. The park is the garden of the French Senate, which is housed in the Luxembourg Palace. Wandering the Garden is a free and frugal way to participate in a slice of French culture.

1. Take the metro to Luxembourg (RER B). You should see the gates to the garden across the street, directly in front of you and you should see a fountain in the center of the street (if not, you came out the wrong end of the metro, just keep walking straight ahead). Cross the street and enter through the first entrance gate.

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2. Keep walking straight and you should see the Grand Bassin. It’s a octagonal pond (this will be your center point). You can watch children sail rented boats or play games of chess and Jeux de Boules. I come here just to enjoy the view, as there are seats surrounding this area. Sail boats can be rented Wednesday, Saturday, Sunday and on school holidays from 2 p.m.-4:30 p.m. in winter and until 7 p.m. in summer.

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3. Looking to your right, it’s hard not to miss the Palais du Luxembourg which houses the French Senate. The palace has very striking architecture. The name of the palace comes from Francois du Luxembourg, who owned the mansion in the 16^th century. Marie de Medici, the widow of King Henry IV of France and regent of King Louis XIII of France, bought the estate in 1625. Though you can’t go inside, you can visit the Senate (Palais du Luxembourg) once in the year during the open-door week-end (Journées du Patrimoine) in September.

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4. Standing directly infront of the Palais du Luxembourg, you will see two different walks ways. One on your right and one on your left. Go to the walk way on your right. You will see a long water runaway path, leading up to a fountain. This is the Medici Fountain. It was built in about 1630 by Marie de Medici. It was designed by a community of Florence artists. It really shows how Italians influenced Paris is the 17^th century. The fountain is perfect place for a photo op!

5. Coming straight out off the walk way, back in front of the Palais, go to the other walkway on the left. Going through the walkway, you will see the Petit Luxembourg and its garden. This building is the original mansion occupied by Frances de Luxembourg. Marie de Medici built a new palace which eventually became known as the Grand Luxembourg and the old mansion became known as the Petit Luxembourg.

6. Keep going straight through the walkway and you will see tennis courts and a little garden for kids 6 and under. There’s also large children's playground with a carousel located nearby. If you’re coming with kids this is great place to take them!

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7. Our last stop on this tour is the Musee de Luxembourg located directly on your left (on the right should be the children’s garden). The museum doesn’t house permanent collections; it’s a exhibition space that presents different artists twice a year! So there’s always something new to see, even if you’ve been there before. The exhibitions here are usually very successful because the works found here are rare, and arouse a variety of emotions in those who come to see them!

All in all, there is a lot to see in the Garden of Luxembourg that cannot be fit in a tour, but a day by day experience to enjoy it all. Everytime I come there I see something new. Go exploring, get lost, have a picnic! There is lot’s to see/do in this park. This is just my personal tour of my little (ok, not really) backyard!