Luxembourg Gardens

When we searched for a hotel in Paris, I targeted the area around the Sorbonne. Besides the nearby attractions of the university, the Pantheon, the Cluny museum, and the Latin Quarter, I was anxious to relax as much as possible in the Luxembourg Gardens. You know how it is when you're traveling, though - the three full days we spent so near to the gardens yielded only two visits. Our first was on Friday right after we dropped off our bags at the hotel, and the second was on Easter morning before church. 

Luxembourg Palace / French Senate

The gardens lie behind the Luxembourg Palace (1600s, Medicis, modeled after Pitti Palace in Florence), which now houses the French Senate. These 60 acres are filled with opportunities for recreation and people of all ages enjoying themselves, making the gardens rank as one of the best public places in the world.

Shall I take you for a walk in the park? Down these paths you'll find shady lanes with flowering trees.

Kids can rent toy wooden boats and push them across the octagonal fountain in the center of the gardens. Watching such a leisurely activity is super relaxing.

If you cut across the kids going for a horseback ride, there's some boules players who dress like they must be regulars.

Before we go any further, I need to point out these chairs. They scream "Luxembourg Gardens" just like the chairs at the Memorial Union scream "Madison, WI." Any random person can arrange these chairs, which are scattered generously across the gardens, wherever and however they want for the best view, sun, or makeshift bed. 

Over here, beyond the tennis courts and the marionette theater, there's a vintage carousel with wooden animals to ride, dating from at least 1900. 

And right next to the carousel, there's an expansive playground (you have to pay to enter, though). If you're lucky like Daisy, you'll have arranged to meet your friend there and have an hour to run around before dinner reservations.

If you're tired of chairs, find the benches.

If you're tired of hurrying, find the Luxembourg Gardens.