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
