JARDIN DU LUXEMBOURG

Overlooked by Mont Sainte-Geneviève, on land still occupied by convents, colleges and mansions in the early ^17th century, this garden stretches over 23 hectares between the Odéon (north), the Latin Quarter (east), Port-Royal (south) and Boulevard Raspail (west). Nicknamed the Luco, it owes its name to François de Luxembourg, an aristocrat from the French branch of the House of Luxembourg. It was created in 1612 by Jacques Boyceau at the request of Marie de Médicis, widow of Henri IV. Wishing to leave the Louvre, she had a residence worthy of her rank built, inspired by the Pitti Palace in Florence. From then on, this first garden of 1612 opened up in front of the new palace (seat of the Senate). Symmetrical parterres were laid out around a central fountain, which could soon be admired from a double ambulatory forming an Italian-style terrace. But the compartmentalized plant compositions, laid out in the perspective of the palace, made for a typically French garden. It took no less than ten years to rebuild Arcueil's Roman aqueduct to supply the fountain. In 1635, André Le Nôtre redesigned the plant beds. Over time, the garden underwent a number of transformations, and its footprint was reduced, notably to the northeast under the Second Empire, with the opening of boulevard Saint-Michel and rue de Médicis in accordance with Haussmann guidelines. It was also in 1830 that the garden became home to an orchard, greenhouses, an apiary (still in use today as an apiary school) and an orangery housing Mediterranean plants, which in summer serves as a temporary exhibition hall. As you stroll down the aisles, you'll see many statues, but most of them date from the Louis-Philippe period. Greek mythology, animals, French queens and other characters will accompany you as you stroll along. Don't miss the Médicis fountain, the Eugène Delacroix monument by Jules Dalou, the Musée du Luxembourg and the former Hôtel Vendôme now occupied by the Ecole des Mines de Paris. Note that while the Luco belongs to the French tradition, its south-western section is laid out as an "English garden" recognizable by its irregular shapes, in contrast to the highly structured French style. Chess enthusiasts will find regular tables, while plant lovers will find trees offering old varieties of pears, apples... Hardened eyes may spot a few rare birds, owls or jackdaws. In short, a garden of elegance!