Luxembourg vs. Tuileries


 

The grass is always greener on the other side

A tale of two gardens. You鈥檇 like to take a nice stroll in Paris, have lunch, read a newspaper or maybe just do some general sightseeing. But which to choose? Luxembourg or Tuileries?

Your garden of choice will depend on what you鈥檇 like to get out of your visit. Here鈥檚 a breakdown of what both have to offer.

Luxembourg vs. Tuileries : Round 1

Garden Layout

罢耻颈濒别谤颈别蝉鈥

The huge garden, measuring more than 22 hectares, is a masterpiece in the garden 鈥溍 la fran莽aise鈥 style. Famed gardener Andr茅 Le N么tre, who once served King Louis XIV, re-landscaped the gardens in 1664 to give it its current look.

The iconic grand all茅e of Tuileries is flanked by boxwood hedges and chestnut trees, giving the whole area a type of calm, quiet elegance. That, and the meticulous floral arrangements are beautiful. Not to mention the more than 200 statues to admire, some dating back to the 17th century and others crafted this century.

尝耻虫别尘产辞耻谤驳鈥

Jardin du Luxembourg

Luxembourg Gardens by Rdevany at

These classic gardens were commissioned in 1612 by Marie de M茅dicis, widow of King Henry IV, and inspired by the Boboli Gardens in Florence, Italy. However Luxembourg is split into Ensligh and French garden styles. The two competing styles at the gardens are听separated by vegetation and a large pond.

Alongside its beatuful flowers, there鈥檚 actually a collection of more than 100 statues, and of course the Medici fountain.

MediciThe Medici Fountain by Guilhem Vellut at Wikimedia Commons

Which one to pick?

Go to Tuileries for the tradition French garden style. If you like the hybrid mix of English/French style, or if you鈥檙e a big fan of Italy鈥檚 Boboli Gardens, check out Luxembourg.

Luxembourg vs. Tuileries : Round 2

Neighborhood vibe

尝耻虫别尘产辞耻谤驳鈥

It鈥檚 ideally situated between two vibrant neighbourhoods with a rich history: Saint-Germain-des-Pr茅s and the Latin Quarter. The gardens aside, the area is a great place in general. For one, you鈥檙e right by Saint-German Sulpice, a Catholic church that dates back to the 12th century.

It鈥檚 main claim to fame: That church is where the 2003 Tom Hanks hit 鈥淒a Vinci Code鈥 was filmed. It鈥檚 one of the largest churches in Paris, and you can check out paintings done by Eug猫ne Delacroix of the Chapelle des Saints-Anges there.

脡glise Saint-Sulpice

脡glise Saint-Sulpice in Paris, France, by DXR / Daniel Vorndran –

Right behind the gardens is the Museum Luxembourg, the very first French museum opened to the public 鈥 all the way back in 1750. A few decades later, in 1818, it became the first contemporary art museum, designated a 鈥渕useum for living artists.鈥

Once at the gardens, you鈥檙e just a 10-minute walk from the Historic cafe Les Deux Magots, the caf茅 that calls itself 鈥渟ynonymous with literary and artistic life.鈥From Hemingway and Picasso to Sartre and Beauvoir, some of the world鈥檚 most noted literary and art figures frequented the caf茅.

Nowadays, it鈥檚 more touristy 鈥 sleek waiters in black and white serve crowds who flock to sit on the terrace under green umbrellas. They鈥檝e named pricey breakfast options after their famous regulars. For 26 euros, the Jean Paul Sartre petit dejeuner consists of a hot drink, two danish pastries and bread, orange juice, and either yogurt or fruit salad.

Caf茅 de Flore in Paris, France

Caf茅 de Flore by Arnaud 25-

Anyways, you鈥檙e also a 10-minute walk from the equally renowned Caf茅 de Flore. It was another artistic hub and dates back to the 1880. The caf茅 was also a haunt of Picasso, Sartre, Beauvoir and other literary and artistic features like Boris Vian.

But it even attracted cinema greats like Jane Fonda and Roman Polanksi, too. In short, Flore is for the famous. Robert DeNiro has been known to take a trip or two there.听If all that isn’t enough, here’s some more tips on what to do at Luxembourg.听

Jardin des Tuileries

Tuileries Garden by Martin Robson –

罢耻颈濒别谤颈别蝉鈥

I love museums, and, as far as location goes, Tuileries gardens is surrounded by some of the the most renowned museums Paris has to offer. You鈥檙e a stone鈥檚 throw away from the Louvre, the iconic pyramid housing the country鈥檚 most famous museum. Everything from the Mona Lisa to Venus de Milo is on display, but there鈥檚 always something perhaps less known but just as impressive to discover.

Right now there鈥檃 a pretty fascinating Egyptian exhibit with a stunning collection of sarcophagi. Unfortunately, Delacroix鈥檚 famous Liberty Leading the People is off display until next year. And you can always catch site of the Palais Royal, the stunning architecture an artwork in it鈥檚 own right. The palace dates back to the 18th century, but it鈥檚 appeal has endured throughout the centuries.

This is all right by the famous La Com茅die Fran莽aise theatre, too. Founded in 1680 by King Louis XIV, the theatre still lives up to its legacy today offering all the best work of Moli猫re, the great playwright who鈥檚 as important to French theatre as Shakespeare is to English.

If you鈥檙e a fan of Impressionism you鈥檙e in luck, as the L鈥橭rangerie Museum is in the southwest section of the Tuileries gardens. People come for Monet鈥檚 famous Water Lilies piece, but stay to admire more art by everyone from Cezanne and Renoir to Matisse and Picasso.

Mus茅e OrangerieLe Mus茅e Orangerie sourced from Wikimedia Commons

Of course, the historic Place de la Concorde is also in the area, right between the gardens and Champs Elys茅es. After a trip to the gardens you can stop by Place de la Concorde 鈥 the largest square in Paris which is, of course, the famed site of Louis XVI鈥檚 demise during the French Revolution,

Which garden to choose?

Luxembourg gardens are in a vibrant neighbourhood, so if you鈥檙e a fan of all the 6th Arrondissement has to offer, you may prefer it. Tuileries is right at the center of Paris, and if you鈥檙e a museum buff you have easy access to some of the world鈥檚 finest ones just steps away.

Luxembourg vs. Tuileries : Round 3

What I love

Well, to cut to the chase, I prefer Tuileries. I realised the certain je ne sais quoi that attracted me to Tuileries is its orderly design and arrangement.

What impressed me most about Luxembourg were the rose garden and its nice arrangement of statues. If you’re a fan of Luxembourg, check out one of our walking tours for an up close look at the Latin Quarter.听

But, like I said, I have a soft spot for the Tuileries gardens. Something about it just looks nice. It draws you in. It鈥檚 the type of peaceful scene that鈥檚 the perfect backdrop to any lunch break. Back in September, when the weather was still nice, I stopped by just to sit back with a beer in one hand and a hot dog in the other, content to look at the flowers underneath the shade of a large tree.

Just this past weekend, I was back at Tuileries, this time admiring the Christmas markets. Children riding carnival rides, ice skating, couples walking hand in hand through the bright holiday displays.

I had a hot dog in my hand yet again, but this time, thanks to the colder weather, I had a vin chaud in the other.

Tuileries Garden

Les Fils de Ca茂n at Jardin des Tuileries by Elekes Andor –

How to reach the gardens

Luxembourg and Tuileries are amazing places for any and everyone from tourists to locals. Both are free and easily accessible by public transportation. To get to Luxembourg, you can take the Metro to Od茅on, get off at the RER Luxembourg stop, or hop on buses 21, 27, 38, 58, 82, 83, 84, 85, or 89.

For Tuileries take the metro to either Concorde or Tuileries or get off at theMus茅e d’Orsay RER stop, You could also take bus lines 21, 24, 27, 42, 68, 69, 72, 73, 81, 84, 94, 95 or velib’: stations n掳1018, n掳1017, n掳1019.

Be sure to check operating hours online, as the parks close at different times depending on the season, Generally, the latest they stay open would be 9:30 p.m., but in winter they close hours earlier. Either way, you have plenty of time to enjoy a stroll. So choose one, and enjoy! And don’t forget to defend your garden in the comments!

Planning a trip to Paris ? Get ready !


These are听Amazon’s听best-selling听travel products that you may need for coming to Paris.

Bookstore

  1. The best travel book : Rick Steves – Paris 2023 –听
  2. Fodor’s Paris 2024 –听

Travel Gear

  1. Venture Pal Lightweight Backpack –听
  2. Samsonite Winfield 2 28″ Luggage –听
  3. Swig Savvy’s Stainless Steel Insulated Water Bottle听–听

We sometimes read this list just to find out what new travel products people are buying.

Also check this
Discover the Best Tours in Paris with Local Guides. Check Paris Walking Tours
We run free tours: Montmartre walking tour and Trendy Marais Tour are our best sellers. Free walking tours in Paris