The Jardin du Luxembourg is a 23-hectare garden in Paris's 6th arrondissement, laid out from 1612 for Marie de' Medici, widow of Henri IV, in the Italian Renaissance style of her native Florence. Now owned and maintained by the French Senate, it is the Left Bank's most beloved green retreat, famous for the Luxembourg Palace, the Medici Fountain, the model sailboats on its octagonal Grand Bassin, and more than 100 statues. In summer 2026 the garden hosts 'L'Été du Jardin du Luxembourg' (19 June–29 September), with around twenty free exhibitions along the railings and in the Orangerie plus open-air concerts. Entry is free and no booking is needed, but opening hours change frequently with the seasons and sunset, so check the Senate's official site for the day of your visit.
Medici Fountain (Fontaine Médicis): a 1630 grotto-style fountain with sculptures of the giant Polyphemus and the lovers Acis and Galatea, framed by shaded benches — the garden's most romantic corner
Model sailboats on the Grand Bassin: rent a wooden boat and push it with a stick across the octagonal pond while watching from an iconic green metal chair, with the palace behind
Luxembourg Palace and formal parterres: the symmetrical flowerbeds and seasonal blooms in front of the palace, which serves as the seat of the French Senate
Statues of the Queens of France and a small Statue of Liberty: the ring of 20 royal-women statues around the terrace, plus a bronze model of the Statue of Liberty within the garden
Orchard, apiary and Orangerie: the old pear and apple orchard and beekeeping school in the southwest, and the Orangerie used as a summer exhibition hall
Good to know
SafetyPickpockets are common at the RER B 'Luxembourg' station and around the garden's edges. RER B links to the airport and targets tourists, so wear your bag in front and don't walk around with your phone or wallet out.
CautionClassic tricks appear near the gates and the pond: petition sign-ups, the 'gold ring' find, and forced friendship-bracelet sales. If a stranger offers you paper or an object, don't engage — just walk away.
RulesMost lawns are off-limits (only part of the southern lawn by the Observatory is open), and bikes, scooters and dog-walking are restricted. Follow the signs and the guards' instructions.
SeasonOn summer weekends and around lunchtime the green chairs and the pond area get very crowded. The chairs are free, but don't hold seats for long, and expect even bigger crowds during the summer festival.
RulesClosing times vary by season and shift with sunset; in winter the gates close as early as 4–5 p.m. When guards blow their whistles and start closing the gates, head out with time to spare so you aren't locked in.
MannersKeep quiet around the free exhibitions and open-air concerts, and don't step into the flowerbeds or climb on or touch the statues.
Practical info
The garden sits right by the RER B 'Luxembourg' (Luxembourg–Sénat) station and is a short walk from Métro Odéon (lines 4 and 10). Admission is free through any of its ten gates; because closing times shift with sunset, confirm the day's hours on the Senate site (jardin.senat.fr) before you go.
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