Jardin du Luxembourg, Paris
Jardin du Luxembourg
Address: Bordered on all sides by St Michel, rue de Vaugirard, rue de Medicis, rue Guynemer and Auguste-Comte
Arrondissement: 6th
Hours: 7:30am from 4:45 – 9:45pm depending on the day and month.
Tickets: Free
About Jardin du Luxembourg
The 224,500 square meter location known as Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most frequented and well known parks in Paris. The garden was began in 1612 at the same time that the Palais du Luxembourg, also on the grounds, was being constructed too. The palace and garden were built to honor Marie de Medici, the mother of Louis XIII. Because Ms. Medici was of the Italian Medici’s, the palace was built in grand Florentine style.
In 1794, after the royal family no longer resided in the palace, it was used as a prison during the French Revolution. The gardens were opened to the public during the 1800s and the palace was also used as the Luftwaffe headquarters during World War II. Today the building currently houses the French Senate.
Set dead center, the octagonal pond named the Grand Basin lies. This child friendly area allows kids to rent a boat to take out onto the water after which, they can watch the puppet theater located beside the pond. The garden also plays host to a number of statues, including the Statue of Saint Genevieve, the patroness of Paris. Two notable fountains call the garden there home. They are the baroque Fontaine de Medicis and the Fontaine de l’Observatoire.
The Jardin des Luxembourg offers enough space that you can bask in the sun with others or find a quiet nook of your own. It is one of the few public places in Paris that offers such a luxurious amenity. It is popular with tourists and locals alike.
Getting to Jardin du Luxembourg
Named after the Odeon Theater, the Odeon station is host to metro lines 4 and 10. You can easily get to the Jardin du Luxembourgh from this metro station.
Jardin du Luxembourg Hotels
Here is a short guide to hotels near Jardin du Luxembourg.
Located at 9 rue des Ecoles, the Hotel Quartier Latin sits in the heart of its namesake. The three star hotel was renovated as recently as 2006 and features a traditional Parisian interior at every turn. Rates start at 197EUR per night for a Double or Twin Individual use room, which includes breakfast each morning.
Located at 71 rue Monge, the Best Western Quartier Latin Pantheon offers three star comfort and an ideal locale. Settled into the famous Latin Quarter, it is close to the Pantheon, Botanical Gardens, National History Museum, Jardin des Luxembourg and Notre Dame. For 127EUR per night guests can opt for a twin sole use room or for 136EUR a single. Both sets include breakfast each morning.
Located at 4 rue Croix des Petits Champs, the Timhotel le Louvre has a prime location in Paris. It is close to the Louvre Museum, Les Halles, Palais Royal, Jardin du Luxembourg as well as many banks, fashion design houses and shopping districts. For 136EUR per night guests can book a single room and breakfast.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Jardin des Plantes, Paris
Jardin des Plantes
Address: 57 rue Cuvier, Paris 75005
Arrondissement: 5th
Hours: Summer Mon-Sun 7:30am – 8:00pm; Winter Mon-Sun 7:30am-5:30pm
Tickets: Free
WWW: Jardin des Plantes
Phone: +33 1 4079 3000
About the Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes has a long and notable history. It was first established in 1626 as a royal garden of medicinal plants and was designed by Guy de La Brosse, the physician of Louis XII.
In 1650, the garden, which had grown into disrepair over a short period, was rejuvenated under the loving eye of John Baptiste Colbert and was opened to the public. Towards the end of the 17th century, John Baptiste allowed Dr. Guy Crescent Fagon to continue the upkeep of the garden. Fagon chose some of the best botanists of the time to help him tend the plants and during this period, the garden grew to a grand size. From 1739 – 1788, the hand of the grand switched again, this time to Comte de Buffon. Buffon made additions such as the child-friendly maze that is still there today.
Today the immense and lush garden covers 28 hectares (nearly 69 acres) and is situated on the Left Bank, with parts overlooking the Siene. The city’s Natural History Museum is also located on the Jardin des Plantes grounds as well as a little zoo that houses small animals. A botany school can also be found here.
The garden itself is home to several tropical planthouses that can be found scattered among the grounds which include an Alpine garden, Art Deco wintergarten and rose garden.
Getting to Jardin des Plantes
The Jardin des Plantes can be reached by way of the Jussieu station, which is located in the Latin Quarter, of metro line 7 and metro line 10. The line is named after a famous family of botanists and historians, some of which are connected to the Jardin des Plantes. Jussieu’s metro line 10 is also linked to Gare d’Austerlitz station, which can also be used to access to the Jardin.
Jardin des Plantes Hotels
Here is a short guide to hotels near Jardin des Plantes.
Located at 54 rue Monge, the Hotel des Nations Saint German is situated in the Latin Quarter, close by the Jardin des Plantes. The classically designed interior is warm and welcoming and the hotel itself is situated close to a handful of metro lines so that guests can whisk around the city with ease. Rates for this three star stay start at 101EUR per night for a single room.
Located at 51 Boulevard Saint Marcel, Le Demeure hotel is just a moments walk from many Parisian gems such as the Latin Quarter and Saint Germain des Pres. The hotel has an old world glamour and the staff is there for your every need in the most discreet way. Rates start at 108EUR per night for a superior room in this three star hotel.
Located at 9 rue des Ecoles, the Hotel Quartier Latin sits in the heart of its namesake. The three star hotel was renovated as recently as 2006 and features a traditional Parisian interior at every turn. Rates start at 197EUR per night for a Double or Twin Individual use room, which includes breakfast each morning.
Photo of the Jardin’s Mexican Hothouse courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Parc Andre Citroen, Paris
Parc Andre Citroen
Address: Along rue Balard
Arrondissement: 15th
Hours: Dawn to 6:00pm
Tickets: Free
About Parc Andre Citroen
Many of the parks and attractions in Paris are centuries old, however Parc Andre Citroen defies this notion and offers a fresh, modern spin on the Parisian park experience.
The 35 acres park is named after the French automaker Andre Citroen, whose auto factory used to reside on the location. The Paris government spent a pretty penny fixing the location after the factory closed and it has proven to be money well spent as it is a local and tourist hit.
The park is situated on the bank of the Siene and is based on four design themes: artifice, architecture, movement and nature; all of which are further divided in respect to their theme. As the center of the Parc are two modernized greenhouses. Made of glass walls and wooden frames, these attractive plant houses are surrounded by beautiful fountains.
The park is also divided into different garden segmentations. The White Garden is used as a recreational area and includes a dog facility, the only dog friendly location in the Parc. Dead across from the White Garden is the Black Garden where the plants all have dark foliage and is a more peaceful part of the park. Visitors are allowed to find a spot to read or rest in this section of the Parc. The Changing Garden is just what it says; this portion of the Parc changes with the seasons. Within this Changing Garden, the Les Jardins Seriels lay; each of which are said to represent the five senses. A different color and theme lay in each section. For example, the scent section boasts flowers in the same color family that are all predominantly fragrant in their own right. Lastly, the Garden of Movement contrasts with the Changing Garden. Plants grow as they wish and are generally uncultivated. Visitors may move around and use this segment however they like.
Although some claim that it is too formal, the Parc Andre Citreon has been a smashing success for the city of Paris since its inception.
Getting to Parc Andre Citroen
The Javel station’s name dates back to the small hamlet that sprang up here in the late 15th century. The station is home to metro line 10 and is situated extremely close to the Parc Andre Citroen. Visitors can also find the park via the Balard station on metro line 8.
Here is a short guide to hotels near Parc Andre Citroen.
Located at 71 rue de Charonne, the two star Comfort Hotel Paris Bastille, offers a wonderful stay at a fine establishment for a low cost. This hotel offers guests prime location just minutes from the Bastille, Notre Dame, Parisian markets and shopping districts. For 83EUR per night, guests can get a single room with breakfast in this welcoming hotel.
Located at 11 rue Claude Terrasse, the two star Classics Hotel Tour Eiffel is situated in one of the most elegant districts in the city, which is reflected in the fine décor, yet offers a great price for budget conscious travelers. This hotel sits just ten minutes from the Eiffel Tower, Porte de Versailles, Roland Garros stadium and Parc Andre Citroen. Rates start at 59EUR per night for a single room with breakfast.
Located at 33 Avenue Edouard Vaillant, the Radisson SAS Paris Boulogne is a luxurious four star treat for any visitor. It has upscale, contemporary elegance throughout the entire interior but also has an inviting sense that can be seen in the cozy garden and inviting atmosphere. It is close to a number of attractions and offers a variety of amenities. Rates for a single room, including breakfast, start at 130EUR per night.
Photo of the Parc’s modern promenade courtesy of Wikimedia.org
Grand Palais, Paris
Grand Palais
Address: 3 Avenue du General Eisenhower, Paris
Arrondissement: 8th
Hours: Every day, Tuesdays aside, from 10:00am to 8:00pm and Wednesday until 10:00pm
Tickets: 7.62EUR with reservation and 8.69EUR without, reduced rates also available
WWW: Grand Palais
Phone: 33(0)1 44 13 17 17
Email: Fabien.escalona@rmn.fr
About the Grand Palais
In the late 19th century much of Paris got a needed facelift. Thousands of people would be coming into the city in 1900 for the World’s Fair and the citizens and government wanted to ensure that their guests saw the most beautiful Paris possible.
Several new structures went up around the city under the watchful eye of infamous Parisian architect Charlest Girault; including the Grand Palais, its neighbor Petit Palais and the Pont Alexandre III, one of the most exquisite bridges in the world.
The Grand Palais is a very recognizable point in Paris because of its large frame and stunning domed roof made completely of glass. It is a perfect combination of a classic stone exterior combined with art nouveau ironwork, popular to the era it was built and glass. Having said that, it is certainly the largest iron and glass structure on the planet. It is filled with 9,400 tons of steel, 5,000 square meters of iron/zinc roofing and a stone exterior complete with mosaics and sculpture.
In 1993 the Grand Palais needed a facelift of its own after a large glass ceiling tile fell down the ground. It was closed down until the new millennium when a segment reopened in 2004 and the rest in 2007. Everything was made new again including the framework, the glass roof and the exterior sculptures and mosaics.
The Grand Palais is still used today in much the same manner that it was intended for when it was constructed. There is a main gallery, Galeries National du Palais, that displays contemporary art although it still plays host to a number of events including fashion shows by Parisian designers like Dior, Chanel and Yves Saint Lauren to extensive antique shows. The other two halls are the Palais de la Decouverte, which doubles as a science museum and Nef du grand Palais, which plays host to grand events in the city.
Getting to Grand Palais
You can find Grand Palais via two stations; Champs Elysees-Clemenceau which lies on Metro lines 1 and 13 and whose access tunnels are beneath the infamous Avenue des Champs Elysees, or Franklin D Roosevelt which coincides with Metro lines 1 and 9 and is named after the American president who was a close French ally in World War I.
Grand Palais Hotels
Here is a short guide to hotels near Grand Palais.
Located at 5 rue Ponthieu, the Hotel Elysee Park is a three star stay that has access to all of the favorite Parisian locations along the infamous Champs Elysees, including the extensive shopping area. This hotel is relatively new, built in the 1980s, and is situatioed in the elusive Golden Triangle district yet is situated in a very quiet setting for being in the heart of Paris. The Franklin Roosevelt Metro line is also just around the corner. Rates start at 77EUR for breakfast and a twin sole use room.
Located at 3 rue de Ponthieu, the three star Hotel Mathis Elysees Matignon is just as elegant as its name might suggest. It features 23 elegant rooms and a cozy atmosphere, just the place to rest ones weary head after a long day in its busy surrounding district. It also features amenities that cater to guests with a leisure stay in mind as well as ones with a task at hand. A superior rooms rates starts at 111EUR.
Located at 12 rue Marignan, the four star Hotel Marignan Champs-Elysees is a near perfect spot to stay in the city. It is situated just off of the Champs Elysees and Avenue Montaigne, in the heart of Paris. Formerly a privately owned Art Deco mansion, the rooms were redesigned by Christine G Rondeau and all 73 are uniquely decorated. The hotel is also home to a favorite restaurant in the area, Spoon Food and Wine. Rates for a twin sole use start at 168EUR per night.
Photo courtesy of Bac Maeva.