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The Luxembourg Gardens Place to sit and relax in Paris LUXEMBOURG GARDENS This is one of the most wonderful places in the world to sit, relax, people-watch, write, paint, play, picnic or whatever else. Long associated with artists, children, students, and tourists predominate the park nowadays. It has a fantastic history though. Watteau came this way, as did Verlaine. Balzac didn't like the gardens at all. In 1905, Gertrude Stein would cross them to catch the Batignolles/Clichy/Odéon omnibus, pulled by three grey mares, to meet Picasso in his studio at Montmartre, where he painted her portrait. Built on the site in 1612 as per the orders of Marie de Medici (wife to Henri IV), it was originally intended as a hideaway for the widowed regent and her "witch" friend Leonora Galigal. Unfortunately for her, she never managed to enjoy her palace after her son discovered her attempts to overthrow him and tossed her into exile. Not that the palace is all that nice. It's the gardens that are the real attraction. For the most part they're classic French, well groomed, well laid out and well loved. There's plenty for kids to do here as well. Toy sailboats are rented out at the fountain, there's a spot to ride ponies and occasional Punch N' Judy puppet shows. |