Created in 1612 at the initiative of Marie de Medici, widow of King Henry IV, the garden was meant to remind the queen of the gardens of her childhood in Florence. She commissioned the construction of an Italian-inspired palace and laid out a vast park around it.
Today, the garden covers approximately 25 hectares and attracts millions of visitors each year. It is distinguished by:
- Tree-lined paths and carefully maintained flowerbeds
- The famous Médicis Fountain, romantic and shaded
- The iconic green metal chairs where Parisians and tourists enjoy sitting
- The statues of the Queens of France and illustrious women surrounding the central basin
The garden is also a lively gathering place: children sail miniature boats on the large pond, students study on the lawns, and people play chess, tennis, or pétanque. It embodies the Parisian art of living.
In the heart of Paris’s 6th arrondissement, the Luxembourg Palace houses one of the most important institutions of the French Republic: the Senate. Located on the edge of the famous Luxembourg Garden, this majestic building is both steeped in history and a major center of French political life.
The Luxembourg Palace was built beginning in 1615 at the request of Marie de’ Medici, widow of King Henry IV. Nostalgic for her native Florence, she wanted a palace inspired by the Pitti Palace. The building became a royal residence. However, the French Revolution of 1789 drastically changed its fate, and the palace was notably used as a revolutionary prison.
In 1799, under Napoleon Bonaparte’s Consulate, a first assembly known as the “Conservative Senate” was established at the Luxembourg Palace. From that time onward, the building permanently became the seat of the Senate. Despite numerous political regime changes in France — Empire, Monarchy, and different Republics — the Senate has remained in this palace.
Under the Fifth Republic, established in 1958, the Senate is one of the two chambers of Parliament, alongside the National Assembly. It represents local authorities, namely municipalities, departments, and regions. Unlike members of Parliament, senators are elected by indirect suffrage through an electoral college mainly composed of local elected officials.
The Senate plays an essential role in drafting legislation. It reviews bills and proposes laws, amends them, and votes on them. It also oversees government action. Although the National Assembly has the final say in case of disagreement, the Senate plays an important role in reflection and balance within the French political system.
Today, the Senate and the Luxembourg Palace symbolize both the continuity of French institutions and the richness of Paris’s historical heritage. Between political power and architectural legacy, the site embodies an essential part of national history
