Bordering Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, the Jardin du Luxembourg is a park created in 1612 by Jacques Boyceau at the request of Marie de’ Medici, widow of King Henry IV of France. The garden takes its name from the residence of Duke François of Luxembourg once found on the ground bought by the queen. The Jardin du Luxembourg saw numerous modifications up until Baron Haussmann’s renovation of Paris in the 19th century, when its current layout was created.

Nicknamed the “Luco” by those who know it well, the garden stretches over 25 hectares and is divided into a French-style section and an English-style section. Between the two is a wooded area and a large pond. There is also an orchard with different varieties of vintage apples, a hive for bee-keepers in training, greenhouses with a breathtaking collection of orchids and a rose garden. The garden has 106 statues spread across the park, the monumental Medici fountain, the orangery and the Pavillon Davioud. Children can enjoy numerous activities, including puppets, roundabouts, slides and remote-controlled boats. As for adults, there’s chess, tennis or bridge, and of course the Jardin du Luxembourg is ideal for a jog. The Jardin du Luxembourg also hosts countless events, including exhibitions of photos on the railings and bandstand concerts.