About Luxembourg Palace
Luxembourg Palace History
Marie de' Medici, the widow of Henry IV, received Louis XIII's care after his passing in 1610. As she rose to popularity, she picked the Duc de Piney, a new hotel particulier owned by François de Luxembourg, now known as the Petit Luxembourg and housing the president of the French Senate. As the interior work went on, Catherine de' Medici moved into her new home in 1625. When her son Louis XIII was in town, the Queen was given exclusive use of the western and easternmost suites in the right wing.
Jean Chalgrin converted the palace into a legislative structure between 1799 and 1805. As per the Luxembourg Palace history, he removed the chapel honoring Marie de Médicis on the corps de logis' garden side in addition to the escalier d'honneur to make room for a Senate Chamber on the second floor. Chalgrin enclosed the terraces on either side to make room for the library. A stunning neoclassical escalier d'honneur with an Ionic column and a barrel-vaulted ceiling replaced the long gallery where Rubens' cycle of paintings had previously been displayed.
Explore Luxembourg Palace
The Luxembourg gardens, which are part of the palace, are among Paris's most exquisite. A formal garden and an English garden are part of the 24 hectares of public parkland. An oval pond surrounds the French Gardens, which are set amid gorgeous surroundings. Every year, new themes and flower colors enhance the flowerbeds. A southern-facing experimental orchard replaces the romantic English-style gardens that extend to the west.
One of the park's most well-known features is the Fontaine Medicis, which Salomon de Brosse created in 1634. The majority of the sculpture and decorative components of the fountain were gone by the middle of the 1750s. Indeed, by fastening the fountain's anchoring bolts to the Fontaine de Leda, which was already in place, architect Gisors moved the fountain to its current placement. The area is divided into three alcoves by four columns, one on either side of the Medici coat of arms on the massive façade of the fountain.
Palais du Luxembourg Architecture
Marie de Médicis ordered a replica of Florence's Palazzo Pitti for the Luxembourg Palace architecture. Marie de Médicis, the mother of Louis XIII, ordered the construction of the palace. Clément Metézeau was dispatched to Florence by architect Salomon de Brosse to gather drawings for a structure that would imitate the Palazzo Pitti. The Palais Médicis, which bears her name, was erected after Marie de Médicis acquired the land in 1612. Even though it was her most ambitious creative project, the Salle du Livre d'Or in Paris, where she worked, only has a few of the reconstructed architectural parts left today. The paintings she ordered and specified her preferences for through her agents and advisors are kept in museums all around the world.
You May Also Like: Places to Visit in Paris
Know Before You Go to Luxembourg Palace
- Location:
75006 Paris, France, Luxembourg Gardens, (Europe).
- Opening Timings:
You can visit Luxembourg Palace which opens between 7.30am and 8.15am, and closes between 4.30pm and 9.30pm.
- Educational activities:
Puppets, rides, and slides are just a few of the many options available to families with young children. Even if you're neither a local nor a tourist, you can play chess, tennis, bridge, or remote-control boats with adults. Free photo exhibits on the garden railings and concerts at the bandstand highlight the cultural offerings.
You Can Also Checkout: Things to Do in Paris
- Luxembourg Gardens Timings
The gardens open between 7.30am and 8.15am, and closes between 4.30pm and 9.30pm according to season.
- How to Reach Luxembourg Gardens
1. By Bus: One can reach the Luxembourg Garden through as the nearest bus stop is Luxembourg RER.
2. By Metro: You can reach the Luxembourg Gardens by hopping into the metro trains with number 10 and 12 from your location. The nearest metro station to Luxembourg gardens are Odéon, Mabillon, and Saint-Sulpice
3. By Car: The Luxembourg gardens are located at a distance of 4.4 km from the city center which takes about 12 mins by car via Saint-Michel and Bd de Sébastopol.
Do Checkout: Best Time to Visit Paris
FAQ's about Luxembourg Palace
What is the Luxembourg Palace known for?
Luxembourg Palace is home to France's current Senate, a body founded by Charles de Gaulle in 1958 to oversee the country's Fifth Republic political system. The Senate is France's highest branch of parliament, and it represents the country's borders as well as those of its residents overseas.
Who was the architect of Luxembourg Palace?
Salomon de Brosse served as the palace's architect, and Alphonse De Gisors and Jean Chalgrin also contributed to its creation.
What is inside the Luxembourg Palace?
Visit Luxembourg Palace which is one of the notable attractions that attracts zillions of tourists from all over the world to its iconic galleries which display important relics of the past time as well as many intricate works of arts that honors Henri IV and stables and servants.
Can you go inside Luxembourg Palace?
Yes, you can go inside the Luxembourg Palace but for that you would need prior approval from the authorities.
Why was Luxembourg palace built?
For both locals and visitors, the Luxembourg Garden is one of Paris' most endearing sights. Marie de' Medici, who was sick of living in the Louver and desired a home constructed in the Italian style in remembrance of her youth in Florence, ordered the construction of the palace and its gardens between 1612 and 1617. The garden was expanded throughout the ensuing years, reaching its maximum size in 1792 with the purchase of additional land. The garden underwent minimal change during the next owners, who frequently neglected it. The palace served as a jail during the French Revolution, and the Germans dug a bunker in the grounds to use as barracks during World War II.
How is the Luxembourg Palace used today?
Charles de Gaulle installed France's present system of government, the Fifth Republic, in 1958, with its Senate at the Palace of Luxembourg. France's upper house, the Senate, represents the country's borders and the interests of its residents both at home and abroad.
What are the best things to do in Paris?
Attraction Tickets