Located in the 6th arrondissement, the Luxembourg Gardens ("Jardin du Luxembourg") are one of Paris’s most beloved green spaces. Commissioned in 1612 by Queen Marie de Medici, the garden was inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence and designed with a blend of French and Italian landscape traditions.
The gardens stretch over 25 hectares, split between French formal gardens and English-style landscaping. At the heart of the park lies the Luxembourg Palace, now home to the French Senate, and in front of it, the majestic octagonal basin where children sail miniature boats.
Visitors can enjoy more than 100 statues spread throughout the park, including a replica of the Statue of Liberty, and sculptures of writers, queens, and mythological figures. There’s also a Medici Fountain, a small orchard, greenhouses, beehives, and an open-air photography gallery.
The garden offers a unique Parisian atmosphere: locals sunbathe on iconic green chairs, students read under trees, and children ride ponies or play in the puppet theatre.
Anecdote: Victor Hugo mentioned the Luxembourg Gardens in Les Misérables, where Cosette and Marius first cross paths.
Entrance is free, and seasonal activities include concerts, sports, and art exhibitions. The garden is accessible and family-friendly, a perfect place to escape the city's bustle.
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