Paris freebie: The Luxembourg Gardens

May 31, 2007

A trip to Paris without at least one walk through the Luxembourg gardens is like eating a French meal without accompanying it with a glass of wine.

While the gardens lie directly on Paris’s beaten path they still, somehow, reveal an authentic view of Parisian life. Despite the number of tourists here, parents still bring their children to play about the jungle gyms, smoking businessmen continue to people watch on park chairs, and elderly men incessantly argue points while playing the French bowling game pétanque. Simply put, there are few parks in the world as integrated into the fabric of a city as the Luxembourg gardens are in Paris.

Recommending the Luxembourg gardens to travelers will never be breaking news but visitors shouldn’t miss a place where a young Hemingway found distraction from hunger pangs, lovers flock to propose marriage, and children ride ponies and captain sail boats in the shadows of a 17th century palace.

Yes, Cheapos, the park is free, but no, you can’t sleep there.

About the author

Enchanted by maps at a young age, Michael's first voyages were of the unglamourous variety (think Florida, Subarus, and talking mice). It was in an Australian hostel, while sleeping on a bare mattress, that he discovered the value of quality budget travel. Following a six month sejour on Australia's Sunshine Coast, Michael finished his studies at Hunter College in New York and moved to Paris. In Paris, Mike edits and writes for The Paris Times and checks out cheap sleeps for EuroCheapo. When not walking the streets of Paris pretending to be Ernest Hemingway, Michael enjoys penning short stories and playing the didjeridoo.