Jardin du Luxembourg, French Renaissance garden in 6th arrondissement, Paris, France
Jardin du Luxembourg covers 23 hectares with formal flowerbeds, lawns, chestnut groves, and over 100 statues surrounding the central Grand Bassin pond. Wide gravel paths run between trimmed trees, while orchards and shaded alleys connect different sections of the park.
Marie de Medici commissioned the garden in 1612, modeling it after the Boboli Gardens in Florence as she built the Luxembourg Palace for herself. Over the centuries it was expanded and redesigned, while the palace itself became the seat of the French Senate.
Locals come here to read, play chess, and picnic on green metal chairs that can be moved freely around the paths. Children sail toy boats on the pond while parents sit nearby and watch.
The garden opens daily from early morning until dusk, with hours varying by season. Tennis courts, chess tables, and a carousel dating from 1879 are available for visitors, along with playgrounds for children of different ages.
The palace houses the French Senate, which manages the garden and makes it one of the few Parisian parks under private administration. During session weeks, parts of the surrounding buildings are open to the public, including the Musée du Luxembourg.
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