Jardin du Luxembourg

The Luxemburg Gardens

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A great place on a lazy Saturday or Sunday afternoon.

The gardens are extensive. Horse rides for the kids, tennis or chess partners in their plenty, or you can join the throng and just watch the passing parade. And bring your little boat to have a sail on the Octagonal Lake.

There’s a little kiosk by the lake that will rent you a yacht and you can choose your own country.

There’s a great kids’ playground. There are some cafes nearby offering a variety of lunch options including take-a-ways so you can settle somewhere in the gardens and just relax.

The gardens began their life in 1611 when Marie de’ Medici, the widow of Henry IV and the regent for the King Louis XIII decided to build a palace in imitation of the Pitti Palace in her native Florence. She purchased the hotel du Luxembourg (today the Petit-Luxembourg palace) and began construction of the new palace.

The gardens have gone through periods of neglect and renewal and are now owned by the French Senate which meets in the Palace.

The famous Medici Fountain, which was built in 1611, is still there.

Is it just me, or do European cities seem to have a lot more of these types of venues where people can gather and relax?

What do you think?

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