Luxembourg Gardens
Île-de-France
Luxembourg Gardens, located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, is a celebrated public park spanning 23 hectares. Originally created in 1612 by Marie de' Medici to accompany the Luxembourg Palace, the gardens blend French formal layout with Italian Renaissance influences. The park features expansive lawns, tree-lined promenades, tennis courts, and ornamental flowerbeds. A highlight is the iconic Medici Fountain, built in 1620 as a nymphaeum, later restored and relocated within the park. The gardens host numerous statues of French queens, artists, and writers, including a model of Bartholdi's Statue of Liberty. Over centuries, the park evolved under various architects, notably Jean-François Chalgrin and Gabriel Davioud, who introduced English garden elements and ornamental structures. Today, the gardens are owned by the French Senate and remain a beloved urban oasis offering cultural exhibitions, horticultural courses, and family-friendly activities, making it one of Europe's most beautiful and historically rich gardens.
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Tip: The best time to visit Luxembourg Gardens is during spring and early summer when flowers bloom and the weather is pleasant. Arriving early in the morning helps avoid crowds. Tickets are not required for general access, but guided tours and special exhibitions may require advance booking. Visitors can enjoy free horticulture workshops and family activities offered seasonally. The gardens are accessible by public transport and provide amenities such as cafes and rest areas. Avoid weekends if you prefer a quieter experience, as the park can become busy.
Interesting facts
- •The garden is colloquially known as 'le Luco', derived from the Latin Mons Lucotitius, the ancient name of the hill where it stands.
- •It contains a small-scale model of the Statue of Liberty by Bartholdi, the statue's original sculptor.
- •The Medici Fountain was originally built as an artificial grotto and has been relocated within the garden during 19th-century renovations.
- •In 2022, it was ranked the most beautiful garden in Europe and the third most beautiful in the world by the HouseFresh website.
- •The garden hosts about seventy sculptures, including statues of French queens and famous artists.
- •An aqueduct named 'Aqueduc Médicis' supplies water to the fountain, originally reconstructed from a Roman aqueduct.
History
The Luxembourg Gardens were commissioned in 1611 by Marie de' Medici, widow of King Henry IV, who sought to recreate the grandeur of Florence's Pitti Palace gardens.
Initially covering eight hectares, the garden expanded over the 17th century under designers like Tommaso Francini and Jacques Boyceau de la Barauderie, adopting the French formal garden style.
During the French Revolution, the garden grew by annexing land from a Carthusian monastery.
The 19th century brought further changes, including the relocation of the Medici Fountain and additions by architect Gabriel Davioud, who incorporated English garden elements and ornamental structures.
Despite urban development cutting into its area, the gardens have remained a cherished green space linked to the Luxembourg Palace and the French Senate.
Place Guide
Medici Fountain1620
A stunning 17th-century fountain built as a nymphaeum, featuring an artificial grotto and statuary, relocated and expanded in the 19th century with a long basin and added statues.
Luxembourg Palace1615-1631
The palace adjacent to the gardens, built by Salomon de Brosse in the early 17th century for Marie de' Medici, now houses the French Senate.
Terraces and Parterres17th century
Formal French garden features including symmetrical flowerbeds and balustraded terraces designed to complement the palace facade and garden layout.
English Garden Area19th century
A part of the garden transformed into an English-style garden with winding paths and a fruit orchard, designed by Gabriel Davioud in the 19th century.
Statues Collection19th century
The park contains numerous statues of queens, artists, and writers, including monuments from the late 19th century and a model of the Statue of Liberty by Bartholdi.
Contact
Phone: 01 42 34 20 00
