Luxembourg Gardens – Le Jardin du Luxembourg
What can you do at les Jardins du Luxembourg?
The Luxembourg Gardens is a green heaven in the heart of Paris. Le Jardin du Luxembourg has been a tranquil escape for Parisians since the early 17th century. The enduringly popular park overlooked by the fetching Luxembourg Palace is an idyllic spot to kick back and relax.
A lake, sculptures, and other curiosities enrich the evocatively Parisian setting. Here you can see the original Statue of Liberty, sail model boats, or bag a shaded spot among the groves and forget you’re in the center of Paris.
What are the Luxembourg Gardens?
Commissioned by Marie de Medici, Henry IV’s widow, the 61 acres of garden were built as part of the new Luxembourg Palace in 1611. At the queen’s request, the gardens were styled like the gardens she grew up loving in Florence. The ornate Medici fountain was placed in 1630. Although relocated, the original fountain still tops visitor itineraries. The Luxembourg Gardens were forgotten by later monarchs, who only had eyes for the Tuileries Garden. The Bourbon Restoration changed things, as many royal baubles were revived and restored.
In subsequent years, sculptures and statues appeared in the gardens. Among them is the striking figure of Liberty Enlightening the World. The statue on display is the original model sculpted by the Statue of Liberty’s creator, Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi. It’s a surprising memento of the friendship between the two countries.
Situated in one corner of the park is the Musée du Luxembourg, an art museum with annually changing exhibitions. Occupying a smaller space is the Senate’s Pavillon Davioud, which sometimes hosts expositions. Completing a trio of intimate museums is the Orangerie du Sénat, which also hosts small exhibitions. Today, the Luxembourg Palace is where the French Senate convenes. Accordingly, the locals know the Luxembourg Gardens as the Jardin du Sénat.
Above all, locals know the park as a soothing oasis detached from the frenetic streets nearby. The Grand Bassin adds a focal point, but there are shady groves, orchards, formal French and English gardens, and a small forest. With the pleasing palace in the background and art curiosities popping into view around the park, the Luxembourg Gardens are among the city’s most treasured public spaces.
Tickets and entrance to the Luxembourg Gardens
There are no entrance fees for the Luxembourg Gardens. It’s a public park open to all.
Rates for the Musée du Luxembourg are €15.50 (€11.50 for ages 16-25, free for under 16s.)
Tours of the Luxembourg Gardens
It is always recommended to do a tour in and around the Luxembourg Jardin, because what the local guide will tell you and show you, is much more than a Parisian guidebook. The guides often bring not only a wealth of knowledge, but also a comedic aspect and is super hilarious!
Most popular Private City Kickstart Tour: Paris | Charming nooks and crannies Biketour | Latin Quarter selfie tour | |
|---|---|---|---|
What | Get acquainted with the City of Light on a private tour that showcases several Parisian highlights. | This Tour pauses for breath in the Luxembourg Gardens and shows the nooks and crannies of several captivating quartiers. | This tour promises photogenic delights of the Luxembourg Gardens and other Latin Quarter’s historical gems. |
Duration | 1,5 hours | 3 hours | 1,5 hours |
Ticket |
Tours of Luxembourg Garden: The details
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01
Private City Kickstart Tour
Walking Tour in Paris
Get acquainted with the City of Light on a private tour that showcases several Parisian highlights, including the delightful Luxembourg Gardens. Enjoy a personal tour of the city of love with a guide who knows Paris like the back of his hand.
On your tour, you’ll see some of Paris’ most famous and best sights. With your local guide, you’ll have the perfect source for the best insider tips on cool bars and activities to make your trip to Paris even better.
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02
Charming Nooks and Crannies Bike Tour
Bike Tour in Quartier Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Sweeping through several small but essential quartiers clustered on the left bank, this 3-hour bike tour promises to pack in all the local highlights while absorbing the chic ambiance of the lively streets. Discover the forever trendy central areas Saint-Germain-des-Prés, the Latin Quarter, Odéon and Luxembourg.
Languages: English, Spanish, German, French, Italian, Dutch
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03
2-Hour walking Tour
Walking Tour in Quartier Latin
Ensure you don’t miss the Statue of Liberty in the Luxembourg Gardens with an expert guide. The tour passes through the charismatic Latin Quarter, with its many diverting sights.
The best way to explore the Latin Quarter is with a knowledgeable local guide: during your tour with the local guide, you will explore the magical corners and find some of the top sightseeing spots of Paris.
The Luxembourg Gardens are just part of the enduring appeal of this beloved royal park
Highlights of the Luxembourg Gardens
You don’t need to work to enjoy the highlights of the Luxembourg Gardens. Visit on sunny days, and it will feel like the world has come together in one place. Yet, even at its busiest, the park is hushed and distant from the urban sprawl beyond its gates. Grab one of the seats dotted around the Grand Bassin, sink back, and enjoy the vibes. Face the Luxembourg Palace to study its clean aesthetic. Look out over the gardens and the pond to see children playing, couples walking arm in arm, and workers taking a much-needed break.
Head around the park to spot the 100+ statues and artistic curiosities. The star is Bartholdi’s prototype of the Statue of Liberty. 20 stationary queens reside in the park, placed there by King Louis-Philippe: see if you know them all. Top billing in the park goes to the Medici Fountain. Relocated and restored, it has been an evocative feature of the gardens since 1630.
If you have time, stop in the Garden of the Petit Luxembourg. The Petit Luxembourg is a residence for the Senate president and an intriguing diversion for insatiable explorers. Art fans might want to visit the Musée du Luxembourg near the palace. Shows change annually, so check ahead. 2023 sees the collection of Léon Mone (brother to Claude) on display until July.
If you feel peckish and don’t want to join the picnicking crowds, there is a brasserie and café with bright indoor and outdoor dining spaces. Pricey, but the views enhance the proposition. If you’re lucky, a band will lift the mood with one of the irregular concerts on the bandstand.
Tips for visiting the Luxembourg Gardens
Get the most out of a leisurely moment in the pretty Luxembourg Gardens with a handful of tips.
- If you want to bag a seat by the Grand Bassin during summer, arrive before midday to dodge the lunch hour rush. Or take a blanket and picnic like the locals in shaded groves.
- The park closes at nightfall. Be prepared for an earlier-than-expected departure.
- If you want to see inside the Palais du Luxembourg, visit during the European Heritage Days during the third weekend of September. The doors are open to all.
Are the Luxembourg Gardens worth a visit?
When the sun shines, few places in Paris are charismatic. Even when the skies open, the royal garden is filled with delights. Overlooked by a palace and dotted with celebrated sculptures, the Luxembourg Gardens are a magnet for residents and tourists.
Facts about the Luxembourg Gardens
Built for a widowed queen, the Luxembourg Gardens are now owned by the French Senate, which meets in the Palais du Luxembourg. Showcasing formal French and orderly English gardens and centrally located, the park is one of the busiest in Paris. Fountains and statues elevate the setting. The Medici Fountain was the original water feature. Completed in 1630, it was neglected by many generations of monarchs. France’s first emperor, Napoleon Bonaparte, eventually had it restored and relocated.
In later years, restored monarchs rekindled their interest in the park. Many of the 106 statues in the Luxembourg Gardens were commissioned by Louis-Philippe, the penultimate king of France. The 20 French queens represented in the park appeared during his reign. The most intriguing statue, especially if you’re from across the Atlantic, is Bartholdi’s first model of the Statue of Liberty. But for its iconic origins, it would barely stand out from other fine statues in the park.
The Luxembourg Gardens has long captivated residents, including several authors. Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables” centers on the gardens. The garden also cameoed in novels by Henry James and William Faulkner. The park delights to this day. According to one 2022 survey of the most beautiful parks in the world, Jardin du Luxembourg ranked third. The highest in Europe. No wonder it’s considered an unmissable destination for vacationers.
What to do after visiting the Luxembourg Gardens?
Bordering the enchanting Latin- and Saint-Germain-des-Prés quartiers, there is a wealth of possibilities beyond the park gates.
- A short stroll east is France’s soaring mausoleum for her heroes and icons, the Panthéon.
- Outside the park is the Odéon Theatre, one of the 6 national theaters in France. Book a show in the sumptuous auditorium and stroll through the park before the curtains go up.
- Head into the nearby quartiers teeming with sights like Église Saint-Sulpice, the second-largest church in Paris. Or head to the absorbing Cluny Museum – National Museum of the Middle Ages, 10 minutes walk from the gardens.
FAQ
What can you do in the Luxembourg Gardens?
Residents spend time chilling in shaded groves or playing with toy boats on the lake. Visitors will relish the setting, from the royal Palais du Luxembourg to the statues and water features accumulated over centuries. Among them is the very first Statue of Liberty. With a couple of eateries and several small museums, there is something for every energy level.
Which Métro station is near the Luxembourg Gardens?
The closest Métro station for the Luxembourg Gardens is:
- Odéon (Lines 4, 10)
- The RER stop at Luxembourg train station (line B) is closer.
Are the Luxembourg Gardens always open?
No – the Luxembourg Gardens are open from dawn to nightfall. Opening between 7.30 and 8.15am and closing between.30pm and 9.30pm, depending on the season.
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