In short
Commissioned in the early 17th century by Queen Marie de' Medici, the Luxembourg Gardens are a masterpiece of landscape art and Parisians' favorite public park. Its immense tree-lined avenues surround a large central pond and are home to more than a hundred historic statues, offering an idyllic retreat just steps from the Latin Quarter.
Period: founded in 1612
Services: wooden boat rental, tennis courts, children's play areas, snack bars, restrooms, outdoor chess, and smartphone charging.
Points of interest: Medici Fountain, Luxembourg Palace, octagonal Grand Bassin, historic orchard and replica of the Statue of Liberty
Best time: The afternoon, to sit in the sun on the historic metal chairs and observe Parisian life
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The ideal stop
Combine them with a cultural visit to the nearby monumental Pantheon, located on the top of the Sainte-Geneviève hill.
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Recommended parking time 90'
An hour and a half is the perfect amount of time to stroll the main avenues and relax by the water.
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The local rite
Drag one of the famous green Luxembourg metal chairs into the shade of a plane tree to read a book in complete isolation.
What to see in the Luxembourg Gardens
Stroll the gravel paths and manicured lawns of this former royal estate to discover the artistic and botanical treasures hidden beneath centuries-old trees.
The Grand Bassin
Observe the large octagonal lake located in front of the palace, where children have been sailing small, colorful wooden sailing boats for generations.
The Medici Fountain The most beautiful
Admire the monumental, Parisian baroque pool shaded by plane trees, culminating in the splendid carved limestone grotto.
The Luxembourg Palace
Be struck by the majestic façade of the 17th-century building, inspired by the Pitti Palace in Florence and now the official seat of the French Senate.
The Gallery of the Queens of France
Explore the raised terraces surrounding the central parterre, where twenty imposing white marble statues stand dedicated to the sovereigns and illustrious women of national history.
The Orangery and the Conservative Orchard
Discover the historic winter greenhouse pavilion and the geometric rows where gardeners grow hundreds of ancient and rare varieties of apples and pears.
A visit to the Luxembourg Gardens
Quick logistical notes for navigating the greenmetro while respecting the strict protection regulations in force within the facility.
Best moment
At 12:30, we can witness the flow of Parisians, office workers, and students choosing the flower-filled terraces for their lunch break.
Crowding
Very high on weekend afternoons, extremely clear and airy on weekday mornings.
Suitable for children
Yes, thanks to the historic puppet theater, the vintage rides, and the huge fenced-in play area dedicated to them.
What not to miss
The small bronze Statue of Liberty, an original cast made by sculptor Frédéric-Auguste Bartholdi before the New York monument.
Type of experience
Elegant, relaxed, aristocratic and deeply woven into Parisian social culture.
What to expect
The sound of gravel underfoot, old men playing chess, colorful flowerbeds, and a sense of geometric order.
How to visit the Luxembourg Gardens
You can enter through the historic monumental gate located on Boulevard Saint-Michel. Walk along the main tree-lined avenue to reach the central octagonal basin, then take the time to explore the upper terraces and more private groves on the western side of the park.
Need to know
- Queen Marie de' Medici bought the land because she detested the gloomy atmosphere of the Louvre Palace.
- During the French Revolution, the royal palace was confiscated and temporarily transformed into a state prison.
- The park is home to a historic beekeeping school founded in the 19th century, with active hives that produce honey sold in the autumn.
- The iconic green metal chairs are not fixed to the ground, allowing everyone to place them wherever they prefer.
Practical advice
- Don't walk on the lawns: most of the grass is protected and off-limits to walking, except for a small, specially marked area.
- Bring a water bottle: there are several Wallace fountains throughout the park where fresh, free drinking water flows.
- If you want to play tennis or petanque, go to the courts on the west side, which are freely accessible or by reservation.
- Check the panels near the entrances to see what cultural events and temporary photography exhibitions are taking place on the outside gates.
How to get to the Luxembourg Gardens
The large park occupies the central portion of the sixth arrondissement, marking the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter.
The closest metrois Odéon, served by lines 4 and 10.
Line B stops at the Luxembourg underground station, with exits directly in front of the park gates.
Lines 21, 27, 38, 82, 84 and 89 make regular stops along the entire perimetermetro the outer walls.
Walk up the elegant Rue de Soufflot from the Panthéon square in a westerly direction.
Bd Saint-Michel, 75005
Official Transport Paris
- Paris Metro Map
- RER tickets and fares
- Taxis in Paris (numbers and alternatives)
History of the Luxembourg Gardens
In 1611, Henry IV's widow, Marie de' Medici, decided to move away from the political center of Paris to build a residence that reflected the Baroque taste of her childhood spent in Florence. She purchased the Hôtel Particular of the Duke of Luxembourg and the surrounding farmland, entrusting the construction of the new palace to the architect Salomon de Brosse and the landscape architect Jacques Boyceau with the design of the first large geometric flowerbeds, filled with fountains and long water channels inspired by the style of the Boboli Gardens.
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During the 18th century, the park was partially opened to the public, becoming a favorite stroll for intellectuals and writers such as Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Denis Diderot. The original structure, however, underwent dramatic changes during the years of the French Revolution, when the complex was nationalized and the gardens were used as an isolation yard for political prisoners destined for the guillotine, before the Directory decided to relaunch it for the public.
The gardens' final form was defined in the mid-19th century under Napoleon III. The radical urban redevelopment orchestrated by Baron Haussmann for the opening of new boulevards threatened to cut the estate in half; intense popular protests pushed the architects to redraw the boundaries, saving the main monuments such as the Medici Fountain, which was moved back and enriched with the long rectangular basin we still admire today.
Over the course of the 20th century, the gardens experienced the most intense moments in contemporary Parisian history: from the trenches dug into the gravel during the First World War to theoccupation by German troops who transformed the palace into the headquarters of the Luftwaffe, placing underground bunkers among the flowerbeds. Today, fully liberated and restored, the gardens are devotedly managed by the French Senate, which preserves their high historical, botanical, and social value.
Curiosities about the Luxembourg Gardens
Secrets hidden among the tree-lined avenues of the ancient Medici estate.
The contested chair: the Luxembourg iron chair model, created in 1923 by the municipal workshops of Paris, became such a famous design object throughout the world that it was imitated and sold as a symbol of Parisian outdoor elegance.
A honey fit for senators: the park's historic hives produce a pure and highly sought-after multi-flower honey every year. The harvest is sold to the public for only a few days in the autumn inside the Orangerie, selling out within hours.
The Paris Meridian: walking in the southern sectors of the garden, you can cross the invisible line of the old Paris meridian, marked on the ground by a series of historic bronze studs dedicated to the astronomer François Arago.
The decapitated statues: during the revolutionary riots of 1848, many of the original stone statues that decorated the avenues were damaged or mutilated by the crowd, prompting the government to replace them with the current cycle of marbles dedicated to the queens.
Tickets and tours nearby
Find accommodation near the Luxembourg Gardens
Being on the border between the two neighborhoods, you could opt for accommodation in the Latin Quarter or one of the options in the Marais neighborhood.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are there only sailboats on the central lake and no rowboats for tourists?
The Grand Bassin is shallow and exclusively hosts the historic tradition of small wooden model sails powered by the wind, leaving free space for children.
Can you jog or run along the park's internal paths?
Running is permitted only along the external gravel paths , marked with appropriate signs, so as not to disturb the peace of passers-by sitting in the central areas.
Do the orange trees you see in the summer stay outside in the winter?
No, the large historic wooden vases containing the citrus fruits are moved inside the warm rooms of theOrangerie as soon as the temperatures drop below five degrees Celsius. You can see them during those months by purchasing a museum ticket.
Is there a designated area for those who want to play chess outdoors?
Yes, on the side near Rue de Guynemer there is a historic tree-lined area with stone tables where enthusiasts challenge each other every day by bringing their own pieces.
What happens if you accidentally step on grass in prohibited areas?
Park rangers intervene immediately, blowing their whistle and asking visitors to leave; in cases of repeated violations, they may impose a fine.
Can the Senate building be visited inside during a walk in the park?
The interior of the Luxembourg Palace is closed to the general public for institutional reasons, being opened only on the occasion of the European Heritage Days in September.
Are there sheltered areas within the gardens if it suddenly starts raining?
You can find shelter under the arcades of the Orangerie, inside the pavilions of the kiosk bars or under the large canopies of the historic children's play area.
Can dogs be brought into the park on a leash?
Dogs are only allowed along a single, limited side path located on the eastern edge, near the RER station, while access to the rest of the gardens is prohibited.
