Luxembourg Garden
Whether you are a local of Paris or simply visiting, the Luxembourg gardens are a part of the city you don't want to miss out on… Here you encounter the veritable Parisian art de vivre, combining nature, art, sports, relaxation and leisure activities.It was Marie de Médicis, residing in the Louvre (the royal court), who first dreamed of moving to this country-style suburb in the domaine des Chartreux. She bought some of the villas, including that of the Duke François de Luxembourg, in 1612, and would later begin to redesign the entire area into a lavish garden.
Nicknamed the "Luco", this is a great place for families looking for a bit of fresh air; you can even see puppet shows or let the kids enjoy mini-sailing-boat races and pony-rides! Sports-enthusiasts will be thankful for the tennis courts, basketball courts, and bowling ("pétanque") areas…
Aside from this variety of leisure activities, culture-vultures are also frequent visitors. With its numerous sculptures and monuments, it is an open-air museum in its own right… Be sure to check out the Palais du Luxembourg (seat of the Senate), the Musée du Luxembourg and the Orangery.