Parks in Paris: Luxembourg Gardens

It’s easy to get caught up in all the museums and historic sights of Paris. After we spent a week cramming in as much of Paris as we could, I’m glad we spent one of our final hours people watching at Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg).

If you’re looking for a beautiful spot to decompress after running through Paris, here’s a rundown of some of the things you can do at Luxembourg Gardens.

Rent a Small Sailboat

One of the fun kid activities I’ve seen in Paris are the little sailboats. You can rent one from a little cart near the pond for a few Euros. It comes with a stick so you can push your boat out into the pond or even pull it in when you’re done sailing it.

I would always worry that some of the boats would get stuck in the middle of the pond and you would have to wade out into the water to get it – but I’ve never seen that happen. A slight breeze will carry the sailboat across the pond to the other side. You can pick it up or simply push it back out into the water for another journey.

Just be sure and keep track of which boat is yours. You’ll have to return it when your rental time is up.

Stroll through the Beautiful Luxembourg Gardens

Luxembourg Gardens has many walking paths wandering through the trees. You’ll find statues and sculptures along the way, making your outdoor walk educational, too. Among the statues, you’ll also find a miniature Statue of Liberty.

If you want to stroll around the Luxembourg Palace, there are beautiful flowers adorning the walkways. However, there’s also a fence keeping you from walking right up by the palace. But while strolling, you can admire the beauty of yet another palace in Paris.

The Luxembourg Palace also houses a museum. The exhibits change out and may feature paintings or other types of art from a variety of artists.

While wandering through the park, you may stumble upon a variety of activities you’ll want to stop and enjoy. So the next section is a rundown of those other activities in Luxembourg Gardens.

Enjoy a Puppet Show, Boules, Tennis and More

It’s possible to spend several hours in Luxembourg Gardens as you learn of all the activities available. Here’s a rundown of the things you should catch while breaking away from the hustle and bustle of art museums.

• Watch a show at the marionette theater
• See if you can join in a game of boules (Bocce Ball)
• Play around on the tennis or basketball court
• Grab a drink/snack and sit under the shade of a tree to enjoy
• Go on a pony ride
• Let your kids play on the playground, which includes an old-fashioned carousel
• Enjoy a game of chess
• Bring a picnic lunch and enjoy it along side the Parisians

Luxembourg Gardens is unlike many of the parks found in the United States. With so many activities, you’ll get lost in the fun of Luxembourg Gardens and immerse yourself in the French culture.

Relax in a Reclined Chair and People Watch

Before leaving the park, find a spot with a nice view (which won’t be hard) and pull up a chair. You’ll notice there are two different types of metal chairs – ones that sit straight up and ones that are reclined. In my experience… go for the reclined.

My wife and I found a great view of the palace next to some flowers. We sat in those chairs for 45 minutes, just taking in the beauty and reflecting on what had been a fun-filled week in Paris.

While contemplating our trip, we wondered if we had spent too much time trying to cram in the Louvre, Versailles, Montmartre, the Eiffel Tower and a bazillion museums in Paris and had missed out on just soaking in the moments. Everyone travels a little differently, so do what works for you. But definitely include Luxembourg Gardens as part of your Paris itinerary.

The Details

Address: Rue de Médicis – Rue de Vaugirard – 75006 Paris

Cost: There is no cost to enter Luxembourg Gardens. But there is a charge for some of the activities, like renting a sailboat.

Hours: Park hours vary by season. They open anywhere from 7:30-8:15 a.m. and close anywhere between 4:30 and 9 p.m.

Website: http://www.senat.fr/visite/jardin/

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