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Jardin du Luxembourg Review
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Jardin du Luxembourg 
- Address: Bordered by Bd. St-Michel and rues de Vaugirard, de Medicis, Guynemer, and Auguste-Comte, St-Germain-des-Prés, Paris
- Category: Gardens/Arboretums
- Location: St-Germain
Fodor's Review:
The Luxembourg Gardens has all that is charming, unique, and befuddling about Parisian parks: cookie-cutter trees, ironed-and-pressed walkways, sculpted flower beds, and immaculate emerald lawns meant for admiring, not for lounging. The tree- and bench-lined paths are, however, a marvelous reprieve from the bustle of the two neighborhoods it borders: the Quartier Latin and St-Germain-des-Près. Beautifully austere during the winter months, the garden grows intoxicating as spring brings blooming beds of daffodils, tulips, and hyacinths, and the circular pools teem with boats nudged along by children. The park's northern boundary is dominated by the Palais du Luxembourg, home of the Musée du Luxembourg and the Sénat (Senate), which is one of two chambers that make up the Parliament.
HIGHLIGHTS
The original inspiration for the gardens came from Marie de Medici, nostalgic for the Boboli gardens of her native Florence. She is commemorated by the Fontaine de Medicis.
A sweet attraction is the Théâtre des Marionnettes where, on weekends at 11 and 3:15 and on Wednesday at 3:15 (hours may vary), you can catch a classic guignols (marionette shows) for a small charge. The wide-eyed kids might be the real attraction; their expressions of utter surprise, despair, and glee have fascinated the likes of Henri Cartier-Bresson and François Truffaut. The park also has a merry-go-round, swings, and pony rides; the bandstand hosts free concerts on summer afternoons.
Check out the rotating photography exhibits hanging on the perimeter fence near the entrance on the Boulevard St-Michel and rue Vaugirard.
TIPS
So you can't sit in the grass—feel free to move the green chairs around to create an ideal picnic spot or people-watching perch.
If you're eager to burn off that breakfast pain au chocolat, the Jardin du Luxembourg has a well-maintained trail around the perimeter frequented by a surprising (for France) number of joggers—mostly groups of buff cops. It is one of the few public places where you can spy the French clad in (perfectly matching) athletic wear.
If you're looking for a familiar face, one of the original (miniature) casts of the Statue of Liberty was installed in the gardens in 1906.
- Cost: Free
- Open: Open daily 7:30 or 8:15-dusk (hours vary depending on the season)
- Metro: Odéon; RER: B Luxembourg
Member Reviews & Ratings:
One of the city's best parks
Posted by bachslunch from US on 11/9/08
Definitely one of Paris's best parks, large enough to keep one occupied but small enough not to overwhelm. Huge fountain and palace (can't go inside the latter), plenty of garden space, trees, and statuary. A must.
Wonderful Reprieve from Noise & Heat of Paris
Posted by vmacleod from Calgary, Canada on 7/18/08
Jardin du Luxembourg should not be missed! They are a wonderful reprieve after walking the streets of Paris. Paris is beautiful - amazing architecture, people, shops, food and music and we also enjoyed getting away from the noise & heat to walk through the shaded paths, rest by the fountains and snack on ice cream. There is a portion of the lawns that people can sit on and we enjoyed watching the locals relax with their blankets, books and snacks.
We visited Jardin du Luxembourg twice during our time in Paris and it was definitely a wonderful experience.
Quintessential Parisian Experience
Posted by lindasp62 from Cincinnati on 7/17/08
Please don't miss a lovely stroll and a relaxing time in the Jardin du Luxembourg. A wonderful spot for families or lovers. There are many sections to explore, but it is the beauty of it all that is forever memory making. Please note, that unlike in American parks, there is no walking or laying on a blanket on the grass at Jardin de Luxembourg. However, there are chairs, tables, and benches scattered throughout the park. Enjoy!
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