A real tourist, going on a trip, always plans what sights to visit. There are many such places in Paris - the Louvre, the Eiffel Tower, the Champs Elysees. But in the article we will talk about the park, which you must see with your own eyes. This is the Luxembourg Gardens. Located in the historical part of the city, it is part of the famous palace complex, which is not inferior to Versailles itself in its luxury and pomp.
A trip to history
Italian Maria Medici contributed to the emergence of this magnificent park and palace. In the 16th century, being the widow of King Henry IV, she ordered the creation of a garden around a country house, which was located away from the bustle of the capital. The palace project was based on the image of the Palazzo Pitti. Maria spent her childhood years in it (far away in Florence). As you know, this Italian city is one of the main architectural gems in the world and still surprises modern engineers with the complexity and splendor of building forms.
According to the original idea, the palace and park ensemble was supposed to have vast forest areas, artificial lakes, lush flower beds. Forso that the plants received everything they needed (and the land plot was large enough), in 1613 the construction of the aqueduct began. It lasted over ten years.
In 1617, the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris expanded its holdings. These were adjacent lands that previously belonged to the monastic order of the Roman Catholic Church.
In the 17th century, the park was recognized by Parisians as a great place to relax. Masses of people began to visit him. In the 18th century, the Luxembourg Gardens were a real inspiration. The park was visited by the French writer, thinker and philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau, as well as Denis Diderot, a famous educator and playwright. Guy de Maupassant was a fan of the botanical garden and tree nursery.
Time passed, the owners of the palace and its parks changed. Together with them, the territory was transformed. The grandson of Marie de Medici, Louis XIV, gave the order to change the area around the buildings in the middle of the garden. It was complemented by a magnificent painting of Avenue de l'Observatoire.
In 1782 the estate was restored. During the work, several hectares of the park area were lost. These changes were initiated by the Count of Provence, who later became King Louis XVIII.
After the seizure of church property, namely the monastery of monks, the territory of the park became larger and remains so to this day.
Heart of the Luxembourg Gardens
One of the main attractions of the park is the palace built by Maria Medici. The Queen was bored with life in the Louvre. Perhaps she missed her home in Italy. That is why I decided to break the estate intothe outskirts of Paris, where you could retire and forget about the bustle of the city.
The architect, working according to the Florence model, nevertheless created something unique, filled with a French soul.
This architectural monument survived the most incredible events, changed several owners. Even visited the role of a prison, which contained about 800 prisoners. The famous revolutionary Georges Danton also visited the palace grounds as a prisoner. Arriving there, he stated that he planned to free the captives. But fate decreed otherwise, and he had to become one of them himself.
Carpo Fountain
Besides picturesque buildings, the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris has other attractions. For example, the fountain of the Observatory. It is located in the southern part of the park. The fountain was created in 1874 thanks to the joint work of several architects at once.
In the center of the building, on a hill, there are four women representing Europe, Asia, Africa and America. With their naked bodies, they support the armillary sphere, inside which is the globe.
There are eight horses on the middle tier. They are made in a dynamic style, as if rushing forward. Next to them are fish, and below them are turtles, releasing jets of water.
This is not the only fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens that deserves attention.
Medici Fountain
On the orders of Mary, one of the most magnificent architectural structures of the park was created. The fountain that is named after her is the Medici. The project architect wasSalomon de Brosse. Initially, the structure was a grotto, but was later changed.
The Medici Fountain in the Luxembourg Gardens contains a number of sculptures. On the sides are Leda and the swan, looking at each other. The central composition appeared later, in 1866. Auguste Ottin became its author. It is an illustration of the myth of Polyphemus: below, naked Galatea and Acis lie in each other's arms, and above them, ready to jump, a huge Centaur.
The front part of the fountain is made like a pond. Several species of fish live in its waters. The largest population of them is represented by catfish.
Sculptures
Walking along the winding paths in the garden, you can see many more unique architectural monuments. Hundreds of sculptures are located in various areas of the park.
The first "Statue of Liberty" by Frederic Bartholdi, statues of French queens, prominent women of the country, for example, Louise of Savoy - these are just a few magnificence. This is all kept in the Luxembourg Gardens.
Here there are sculptures of the heroes of ancient Greek myths and animals.
Art Museum
Another place that attracts tourists is located in the park. This is a museum in the Luxembourg Gardens. Back in the middle of the 18th century, exhibitions of royal paintings were held within its walls. It was this that became the starting point in the history of the museum, made it the first place where unique masterpieces were opened to the general public.
At the beginning of the 19th centuryworks of contemporaries were exhibited here, which allowed artists to demonstrate their art during their lifetime.
Today the museum is open for original exhibitions, organization of thematic events.
Nature in the park
Of course, the palace and park ensemble cannot be imagined without its landscaped areas. Plants in the park do not stop blooming throughout the warm period. The gardeners who work here are always busy. Three times a year they change the types of plants in flower beds. In this way, an incredible decorative landscape is achieved.
During the warmest months, visitors can see potted plants. These are date palms, oleanders, orange and pomegranate trees. At the same time, some species have been growing here for two hundred years. At other times they are exhibited in the greenhouse.
Apple and pear trees, planted by the monks, spread their branches near the fence.
All plants in the garden tolerate diseases and bad weather very well. Trees such as chestnuts, lindens, maples create an extraordinary atmosphere and are home to several species of birds.
Modern Leisure
Today the Luxembourg Gardens is one of the best places to relax in Paris. Elderly couples come here to leisurely wander through the shadowy streets, read their favorite books on the benches.
Entertainers can rent horse-drawn carriages or ride ponies. The park has places to play basketball and tennis. If you prefermind games, try your hand at chess with local old-timers.
The stone theater of miniatures "Guignol" will not leave any child indifferent. There are exciting performances almost every day. Kids can have fun on special playgrounds with slides and swings. Here you can even ride on old carousels or launch a boat in the largest Grand Bassin pond.
Often, visitors to the park on sunny days are located near the walls of the greenhouse.
Working hours
It is worth noting that the park is not always open for visiting. This is because employees carry out certain work to improve it, clean up the territory, and eliminate breakdowns.
From April to the end of October, the garden is open from half past seven in the morning until nine in the evening. In November, the schedule changes, there is less time to visit - from eight in the morning to five in the evening.
Getting to the park is easy - just take the subway train and get off at Odeon Station.
If you are going on a trip, be sure to make a list of what you want to visit the sights of Paris. It is not difficult to find a description of any of them, but as they say, it is better to see once. What could be more exciting than to plunge into the world of the past, touch history, imagine yourself as a queen walking around her estate?
