Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg)
Boulevard St. Michel, Paris, île-de-France, 75006
With more than 57 acres (23 hectares) of flower-lined lawns, formal French gardens, and shady chestnut groves, the Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg) are one of Paris’ most idyllic green spaces. It’s a great place for plant lovers, thanks to thousands of trees and blooms, including a large number of orchids. The gardens are also popular among families with young children, who can often be seen in large numbers floating miniature boats in the park’s central pond.
The Basics
No sightseeing tour of the Latin Quarter and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood would be complete without a stroll through the manicured Luxembourg Gardens, a perfect spot for walking tour or biking tour. In addition to admiring the sculptures and monuments—including the Marie de Médicis fountain and the Pavillon Davioud—visitors can explore the Luxembourg Palace (Palais de Luxembourg), tour the Luxembourg Museum (Musée de Luxembourg), and stroll around the Orangerie, a 19th-century building that still houses citrus trees. Feeling romantic? Take advantage of the scenery and renew your wedding vows here—it’s become a popular trend in recent years.
Things to Know Before You Go
There is no admission fee to enter the park, but opening hours vary throughout the year.
The park is fully wheelchair accessible, and accessible restrooms are located at the Auguste-Comte entrance.
Free Wi-Fi is available in the park.
How to Get There
The Luxembourg Gardens straddle Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter in Paris’ 6th Arrondissement on the Left Bank of the Seine River. Bordered by Rue de Vaugirard to the north, Rue Auguste Comte to the south, and Rue Guynemer and Boulevard Saint-Michel to the west and east, the park is reachable on foot from the Latin Quarter and nearby attractions such as the Panthéon (a 10-minute walk). The closest metro station is the Odeon (Line 6) and the nearest RER station is Luxembourg (Line C).
When to Get There
The park is open year-round; each season has its charms. You’ll find open-air entertainment and festivals in summer, flowers in spring, foliage in autumn, and Christmas decorations around the holidays. The park gets busy on sunny afternoons, so if you’re hoping to take photos with crowd-free backgrounds, aim for an early-morning visit.
Family Fun at the Luxembourg Gardens
The park has a number of family-friendly activities. Take the kids to visit the beehives, try their hand at a pony ride, steer a rented model sailboat around the Grand Bassin lake, or play tennis. There’s also a playground, plus puppet shows, at the pint-sized Théâtre du Luxembourg.
What are the main attractions to see in the Luxembourg Gardens?
The main attractions to see in the Luxembourg Gardens include Luxembourg Palace, the regal-looking building where the French senate meets, the Little Statue of Liberty on the park’s western side, and the Medici Fountain, which is popular for photos and those seeking a shady spot.
Are guided tours available of the Luxembourg Gardens?
Yes, many guided tours pass through the Luxembourg Gardens—it’s a popular stop on tours of the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés in Paris. Some Luxembourg Gardens walking tours spend around two hours there, scouting out photo points and revealing the history of French nobility.
Can I have a picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens?
Most of the grassy lawns are off-limits, but there are quiet nooks and little chairs where you can sit and eat discreetly. If you want to lay down a picnic blanket on the grass, observatory lawns are sometimes opened up to accommodate picnickers. Follow the locals to get it right.
Are there any events or activities held in the Luxembourg Gardens?
Yes, in summer there are often events and activities in the Luxembourg Gardens. Puppet shows take place at the Théâtre des Marionnettes du Jardins du Luxembourg, you can rent model sailboats to sail on the pond, and concerts take place in the bandstand. There are also photo and art exhibitions in the gardens’ Orangery.
What are some nearby attractions to visit after exploring the Luxembourg Gardens?
Nearby attractions to visit after exploring the Luxembourg Gardens include the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Prés. In the Latin Quarter, you’ll find the Paris Panthéon and the Saint-Étienne-du-Mont Church. In Saint-Germain-des-Prés, there’s the Musée Delacroix, a lesser-known art museum dedicated to the French Romantic artist of the same name.
What are the best times to visit the Luxembourg Gardens to avoid crowds?
In the peak summer months between June and August, the Luxembourg Gardens are busy—especially on sunny days. Aim to arrive in the morning if you want crowd-free photos, the chance to roam with fewer other people around, and to bag a prime picnic spot.
Ways to explore
No visit to the Latin Quarter and the Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood would be complete without a stroll through the manicured Luxembourg Gardens, a perfect spot for a walking or cycling tour. In addition to admiring the sculptures and monuments—including the Marie de Médicis fountain and the Davioud Pavillon—you can explore the Luxembourg Palace (Palais de Luxembourg), tour the Luxembourg Museum (Musée de Luxembourg), and stroll around the Orangerie, a 19th-century building that still houses citrus trees. Many Latin Quarter walking tours visit the gardens, and it’s a major stop on hop-on, hop-off bus lines.
Accessibility
The park is fully wheelchair accessible, and accessible restrooms are located at the Auguste-Comte entrance.
Age limits
None
What to pack
Sunscreen, a picnic
What to wear
Comfortable shoes, weather-appropriate clothing
Not allowed
Walking on the lawns, picking flowers, taking professional photos/video without permission, cycling, scooters, walking pets except for leashed dogs in the designated southeast area
Amenities
Free public restrooms, free Wi-Fi
Address
Extending across the border between Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter, the Luxembourg Gardens are in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, on the Left Bank of the Seine River. The gardens are about a 10-minute walk from the Panthéon.
Driving
The easiest way to get to the gardens by car is via the Boulevard Saint-Michel. Motorcycle parking is available at the southern entrance of the park, while the closest public parking lot is nearby at 22 Rue Soufflot.
Public transportation
It’s simple to reach the gardens via public transit. A number of buses stop nearby, as do lines 4 and 10 of the Paris Metro. Line B of the RER also stops in front of the gardens.
Best times to visit
The park gets busy on sunny afternoons, so if you’re hoping to take photos with crowd-free backgrounds, aim for an early-morning visit.
Best days to visit
Weekdays tend to see fewer crowds than on the weekends, especially during the school year.
Best months to visit
This green space is open year-round, but spring is the best time to visit for colorful blooms and good weather.
Special events
Concerts take place in the gardens during the summer months, but schedules vary from year to year.
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