🌺 Jardin du Luxembourg: Visit this Amazing Paris Garden

Le Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris is a gorgeous oasis in the heart of Paris.

This 23-hectare public park was originally created by Marie de’ Medici as a place for her to relax and escape from palace life.

Today, it continues to be one of the most popular things to do in Paris. Both locals and visitors come to relax amongst its lush lawns, fountains, statues, and flowerbeds.

The Luxembourg Gardens are definitely a ‘happy place’ for me, and we visit these incredible gardens on every trip to Paris. We love having a picnic lunch while relaxing on one of the park benches!

Ready to learn more about the best garden in Paris? Lace up your shoes and let’s go!

Disclaimer:  This page may contain affiliate links.  I earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links (at no additional cost to you).

What to see in the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris

1. Enjoy the beauty of the gardens

The Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris is a spectacular garden that you simply must experience during your trip to Paris.

The Luxembourg Gardens were created under the direction of Queen Marie de’ Medici in 1612 and are inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy. The central portion of the Luxembourg Gardens is an expansive French style garden with the large octagonal pond (the Grand Bassin).

French-style gardens are formal gardens featuring symmetry and geometric patterns imposing order on nature. Nature is kept in line in the manicured lawns and flower beds, with trees in boxes and flowers in decorative stone urns. Evenly spaced statues ring the French gardens, adding more symmetry and order.

Towards the southern edge of the Paris Luxembourg Gardens are some English-style gardens. These are a bit less formal and have a more natural feel. Enjoy the shady paths as you walk beneath the trees.

What amazed me on my most recent trip to Paris was that even in winter, the Luxembourg Gardens are still bursting with color. You can tell that the gardeners are always making sure the gardens look their best.

Due to the latitude of Paris, the city sees all the seasons, so you can see spring blooms and autumn foliage!

Check out this video to see more of the beautiful Luxembourg Gardens!

2. Watch a Puppet Show

The Jardin du Luxembourg is also home to one of Paris’ best-loved puppet theatres. The young (and young at heart) will love watching a traditional marionette show!

The shows take place at the historic Théâtre des Marionnettes du Jardin du Luxembourg.

The famous French puppet character Guignol (who originated in Lyon France) has been entertaining guests here since 1933. Guignol even has his own museum in Lyon!

This small theatre offers performances on Wednesdays, weekends, and French public holidays (plus daily during Paris school holidays). If you’re looking for a fun activity to do with the family, this is not to be missed.

Looking for the best hotels near the Luxembourg Gardens? Book your stay at the Hôtel Bonaparte Paris. We loved being just a 5-minute walk from these amazing gardens!

3. See the Luxembourg Palace

The Palais du Luxembourg is a stunning 17th century palace located in the heart of Paris. It was originally built to be the home and residence of Marie de’ Medici, Queen Mother of France.

After the death of her husband, King Henry IV, Marie de’ Medici became more powerful (as regent to her son, Louis XIII). As such, she decided to build herself a spectacular new palace. The Luxembourg Palace is styled after the Pitti Palace in Florence, where she grew up.

The Palace was decorated in a manner befitting royalty. Artworks included a series of 21 paintings on the life of the queen from master Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens.

Today, it serves as the official residence of the French Senate. Its beautiful architecture is one of the reasons that the Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris.

Group tours are available for the Luxembourg Palace on specific days of the week (reservations required in advance), and you can visit for free during European Heritage Days in the third week of September.

Be sure to take a close look at the clock and the statuary decorating the center of the Luxembourg Palace (right under the French flag).

4. See an art exhibition

There are two museums located within the Jardin du Luxembourg (and both are west of the palace).

The Musée du Luxembourg hosts two exhibitions annually, one in September-January, and the other is in the months of March-July.

The upcoming 2023 show features the collection of Léon Monet, brother to the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet. He was an avid collector of art, and this exhibition includes art by Monet, Renoir, and Pissarro.

The Orangerie du Sénat is an exhibition space in an unlikely location — an orangerie! From June through September, you can enjoy exhibitions ranging from paintings to photography to sculpture. (Bonus: it’s free!)

You may be wondering, why such a limited part of the year? The answer is that in the colder months, the orangerie is filled with trees and plants that need to be protected from the lower temperatures.

5. See the Statue of Liberty

You’ll find a miniature replica of the iconic Statue of Liberty in Jardin du Luxembourg. It was created in 1900 by sculptor Auguste Bartholdi for the the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair).

It stands as a symbol of freedom and democracy, and is a great place to take pictures.

This is a much smaller sister to the Statue of Liberty gifted by the French to the United States, which stands 305′ tall (if you take the measurement from the base of the statue’s pedestal to the tip of Lady Liberty’s torch).

Fun fact: the metal framework supporting the statue was built by Gustave Eiffel, creator of the iconic Eiffel Tower!

Did you know? The full name of the statue is “Liberty Enlightening the World”.

6. Relax on one of the iconic green chairs

The iconic green chairs of the Jardin du Luxembourg are some of the most recognizable features of the park.

The same style of chair is used in the Luxembourg Gardens, the Jardin des Tuileries, and the Palais Royal. On our last visit, I noticed some differences in the colors of the chairs between the gardens. In the Luxembourg Gardens, they’re a sage green, with a deeper forest green shade in the Tuileries.

These charming chairs come in three different types, ranging in comfort level and listed here in order of my preference:

First is the straight-backed chair with no arms. Choose this one if there are no better options, although they do make a good footrest if there are spare chairs to be had. Second is the straight-backed chair with arms. And the best (and hardest to find) is the ‘reclining’ chair, which features a sloped back and arms.

So many people love the charm of the parks and gardens of Paris, that they order the same style of chair to have at home! (And no, the exact colors used in the gardens of Paris are not available for you.)

Relaxing in the beautiful gardens are a great way to spend a sunny afternoon, whether you’re visiting the City of Light with that special someone or taking a solo trip to Paris!

“Paris is a city where time is best to spend doing nothing.”

Erich Maria Remarque (Can you follow the advice in this quote about Paris?)

7. Sail a toy boat on the Grand Bassin

Renting a toy boat to sail on the octagonal Grand Bassin is one of the best things to do at the Luxembourg Gardens.

Sailing your miniature boat will take you back to a simpler time. There are no motors or remote controls — you ‘control’ your boat by pushing it with a long stick. Then enjoy watching the colorful boats drift gently across the shimmering waters of the pond.

This is a great way to keep your kids entertained, and it’s pretty inexpensive to rent one of these iconic boats from the park vendor. (It’s a good idea to carry some cash in France for small expenses like this!)

8. Have a picnic

Having a picnic in the Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the best ways to experience the beauty and tranquility of Paris.

Whether you choose to grab one of the iconic green chairs or spread out a blanket on the lush grass, it’s an unforgettable way to spend your day. And it’s also one of the most romantic things to do in Paris!

The first step is to pick up some delicious French food at one of the many nearby boulangeries and fromageries. There are restaurants and cafes in the park if you’d rather have a meal on the go. Once you’ve got your food, find a spot with a nice view and enjoy!

For us, enjoying a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens has become one of our traditions when visiting Paris. It’s a great way to relax and recharge — especially if you’re combatting jet lag from your flight.

Another way to fight jet lag is to stay hydrated. Carry along a water bottle and refill it with tap water in Paris — free from the many public fountains!

We’ve learned the hard way not to ‘overplan’ our first day, as jet lag will put a big crimp in those plans. (I still remember Chris’ first trip to Paris, where he fell asleep in the sun during our Seine river cruise!)

9. Enjoy a concert

The Jardin du Luxembourg is renowned for its outdoor concerts, where visitors can enjoy the perfect combination of beautiful music and stunning scenery.

Every summer, the park plays host to a variety of concerts, including classical, jazz, and even popular music performances. Beyond the musical entertainment, these events provide an opportunity to relax in the beautiful gardens.

During one of our picnics in the park, we enjoyed a concert. That was certainly a lovely surprise!

10. See the Fontaine Médicis

The Fontaine Médicis is one of the most striking features of the Jardin du Luxembourg. Located in a corner of the garden near the palaces, it was built by Marie de’ Medici in 1630 to honor her late husband, Henry IV.

This magnificent fountain is styled after the nymphaeums and fountains of the Boboli Gardens in the queen’s home town of Florence. It’s located in a rather atmospheric grotto, with trees lining both sides of the fountain.

The Medici Fountain features an impressive set of statues. The central statue group is called Polyphemus Surprising Acis and Galatea.

If you remember your Greek mythology, Polyphemus was the most famous of the Cyclopes, the race of one-eyed giants. He captured Odysseus, and was blinded by him.

According to mythology Acis was a mortal who loved Galatea, a Neirid. This statue depicts jealous Polyphemus discovering the lovers. (Things don’t go well when you get on the wrong side of a Cyclopes..)

Since this lovely fountain isn’t in plain sight, I think many people miss it. Be sure to take a few moments to seek it out — it’s just to the east of the Palace.

This is one of the things that makes the Luxembourg Gardens one of the best Paris Instagram spots!

11. Check out the apiary

Le Jardin du Luxembourg also has its own apiary (collection of beehives), where visitors can see the resident bees making their delicious honey. This unique attraction not only provides an educational experience for kids but also serves as a reminder that the natural world is all around us, even in the heart of a bustling city like Paris!

Each year there is a honey festival (the Fête du Miel) in the Luxembourg Gardens where you can buy artisanal honey.

The gardens are also home to a beekeeping school which dates from 1856.

12. Play a game of pétanque

Playing pétanque (or boules) in the Luxembourg Gardens is a fun way to experience a quintessentially French pastime.

Pétanque is a game of precision, skill, and strategy, with two teams of two players each taking turns throwing metal balls at a target. Each team takes turns throwing their boules and trying to get as close to the target as possible.

Le Jardin du Luxembourg has multiple pétanque courts, so you can join in on a game or watch as others compete! So come enjoy a game of pétanque at the Jardin du Luxembourg—it’s an experience you won’t forget.

13. Get some exercise

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a great place to get some exercise while enjoying the fresh air and beauty of nature! With its sprawling lawns, lush gardens, and tranquil ponds, it’s the perfect spot for a leisurely stroll or an invigorating jog.

The paths throughout the park are wide and well-maintained, making them ideal for both novice and experienced runners.

Or, you can get a Paris-Tennis pass and play on the tennis courts in the Luxembourg Gardens to get your heart rate going!

14. Check out the amazing sculptures

Le Jardin du Luxembourg is home to some of the most beautiful sculptures in Paris. From statues of gods and goddesses to historical figures, these works capture the spirit and beauty of French culture.

Ringing the central garden area and Grand Bassin is Serie des Reines et Femmes Illustres — the ‘Series of Queens and Illustrious Women’.

We of course must mention Marie de’ Medici, the French queen who created this lovely garden! (The picture of her statue is up at the top of the post — she wanted me to remind you of her importance to the Luxembourg Gardens!)

This statue represents Sainte Geneviève, the patroness saint of Paris. It is said that she helped to avert an attack of the city by Attila the Hun. I love the details of the statue, like the braid of her hair.

Besides the ‘famous females series’, you’ll find plenty of other statues scattered around the gardens.

Be sure to take some time to stroll through the park to see the incredible classical statues. It’s an open-air museum — with flowers!

15. Enjoy a meal at the Garden

If you’re looking for a meal or a snack, there are many options for you in the Luxembourg Gardens.

Visit one of the food kiosks to grab a drink, a snack, or an ice cream cone.

La Table du Luxembourg is a brasserie where you can enjoy a crêpe with beautiful garden views. You’ll find it right next to the puppet theater.

La Terrasse de Madame is a popular spot to enjoy a meal in the unique and stunning setting of the gardens! The restaurant has both indoor and outdoor seating, so you can enjoy your meal no matter the weather.

Tip: In colder weather, warm up with a vin chaud (hot wine)!

16. Explore the Botanical Gardens

The Serres du Jardin du Luxembourg is a botanical garden and features a variety of greenhouses, each filled with lush vegetation and vibrant colors.

One of the most popular features at the Serres du Jardin du Luxembourg is its magnificent orchid collection. Boasting thousands of species from around the world, it’s one of Europe’s largest collections.

From majestic blooms to exotic varieties, these exquisite flowers are sure to captivate your senses. The greenhouses are open to the public during European Heritage Weekend.

FAQ about the Luxembourg Gardens

Kitty-corner from the church is a bustling array of shops. Take home a unique souvenir from a Paris perfume-making workshop!

---

Final Thoughts..

As you can see, the Luxembourg Gardens have an astonishing array of things to see and do.

But you certainly will want to see a lot more of Paris that just this one garden. Check out these posts about all of the top attractions in Paris, or the best Paris at night tours for more great ideas!

Do you love Paris? Me too! You might enjoy these posts about the City of Light:

• Best Paris Attractions
• Best Paris Night Tours
• Can You Drink Tap Water in Paris?
• Best Day Trips from Paris
• Is Paris Worth Visiting?
• 101 Perfect Paris Quotes (Funny, Famous, Fabulous!)
• France Currency: What to Know About Money in France

Planning a visit to Paris? Pin this for later so you don’t miss any of the highlights of the Luxembourg Gardens!

---

---

---

Like it? Share it!