Luxembourg Palace

Luxembourg Palace is a baroque government building in Quartier de l'Odéon, Paris, France. The facade presents several wings around a rectangular courtyard, while the dome spans the central entry hall.

An Italian queen commissioned Salomon de Brosse between 1615 and 1627 to build a residence modeled after her native Florence. After the Revolution, the building served briefly as a prison before becoming the seat of the French Senate.

Inside, the library preserves painted paneling and ornamented ceilings that become accessible during regular public events. The building documents French queenly traditions and embodies Italian influences within 17th-century French aristocratic architecture.

The building at 15 Rue de Vaugirard sits directly beside the public gardens and can be toured during official visiting times. Reservations must be made several weeks ahead as access remains limited due to its government function.

The south facade conceals a nymphaeum, an underground grotto water feature that visitors can admire during special tours. The west wing contains a 17th-century spiral staircase built entirely from stone with no central pillar.

Location: Quartier de l'Odéon

Inception: 1620

Architects: Salomon de Brosse, Germain Boffrand, Jean-François Chalgrin

Architectural style: baroque architecture

Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible

Address: 15 Rue de Vaugirard

Website: https://senat.fr/lng/welcome-to-french-senate/the-luxembourg-palace.html

GPS coordinates: 48.84833,2.33750

Latest update: December 13, 2025 16:22