Luxembourg Gardens: Highlights, opening hours, time required and access

Contents

Things to See in the Luxembourg Gardens
Essential Information about the Luxembourg Gardens
How to get to the Luxembourg Gardens

Things to See in the Luxembourg Gardens

French Garden in Front of the Palace and the Octagonal Pond

Image: Rdevany / Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 3.0, cropped, resized, and sharpened)In front of the Luxembourg Palace are geometric flowerbeds, statues, tree-lined avenues, and an octagonal pond. Children sailing model boats on the pond and people reading in the green chairs are also iconic scenes in this park. The palace is now used as the seat of the French Senate, which also manages the park.

The Garden Built by Marie de’ Medici

The garden’s origins date back to the beginning of the 17 century, when Queen Marie de’ Medici wanted a palace and garden reminiscent of her hometown, Florence. Moving between the palace forecourt with its formal axes and the wooded walking paths beyond it reveals the site’s two identities: from royal garden to a place of leisure for the public.

Medici Fountain

The Medici Fountain, located deep within the grove, is a garden landscape dating back to the 17 century. Sculptures are arranged at the far end of the long water surface, creating a quieter atmosphere than the bright, open central pool. The light and shadows cast by the avenue’s leaves also change with the seasons.

Statues, orchard and greenhouses

Scattered across the expansive grounds are statues representing former French queens and notable figures, an orchard growing heirloom varieties, an apiary, greenhouses, tennis courts, and more. Rather than hurrying between only the main sights, it is better to stroll while taking in the different atmospheres in front of the palace and on the wooded side.

Essential Information about the Luxembourg Gardens

The information below was checked against official sources on October 11, 2026. Please also check the latest information on the official website when planning your trip.

🔗 Official website: Seasonal opening hours can be checked in the official annual schedule.

Horaires d'ouverture
Le Jardin adapte ses horaires tous les quinze jours au lever et coucher du soleil. Découvrez les horaires du jour.
jardin.senat.fr
📍 Address: Rue de Médicis / Rue de Vaugirard, 75006 Paris
🕒 Opening hours: In line with the season and the length of daylight, the opening hours generally change on 1 and 16 of each month. Check the official annual schedule for the hours on the day of your visit.
🚫 Closing days: Opening hours are provided for the whole year. The Senate may temporarily close the garden for public order, the safety of the palace and visitors, or the preservation of the grounds.
💶 Admission: Free admission. Some activities, such as the playground and carousel, require payment.
⏱ Recommended time: Allow about 1–1 hours30 to see the main garden landscapes, or about 2 hour including breaks. ⚠️ The time required varies depending on how long you spend in the garden and how much of it you visit.