Luxembourg Gardens 

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Location

Paris
France
48° 50' 46.3992" N, 2° 20' 13.776" E
FR
General info: 

The Luxembourg Gardens became known all around the world when Victor Hugo included it in his masterpiece ‘Les Miserables’. Spread with statues, fountains and flowers, the Luxembourg Gardens is a nice breath of fresh air close to the city centre.

Originally the park served as the garden of the Luxembourg Palace in the times when Marie de' Medici (King Louis XVIII’s widow) lived there. Nowadays the Luxembourg Palace is the home of the French Senate. The park has several monuments the most important one being the Medici Fountain, which was built in the 17th century in the Italian Renaissance manner.

Being perhaps the most romantic park in Paris, the Luxembourg Gardens does get pretty crowded on sunny days.

Getting there: 

The Luxembourg Gardens are located in the 6th arrondissement of Paris, a few blocks to the south-west from the Notre Dame. Luxembourg is the closest metro station.

Costs: 

The Luxembourg Gardens are a public area, thus no entrance fee is needed.

Interesting places nearby

The Savoyard ski resort of Les Karellis right in the middle of the Maurienne Valley is a winter sports hotspot which prides itself on its easy access and a well laid out village that doesn't require a car to get around.

Located between Chamonix, Verbier and Les Portes du Soleil, Les Marécottes enjoys consistent snowfalls and is a haven for off-piste enthusiasts.

Skiing, winter sports and the friendly, familial atmosphere characterise the easy going and practical ski resort of Les Menuires.

BASE: 4921ft
SUMMIT: 6889ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1968ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 12
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 1
Surface: 11

Built amongst an enormous larch forest, overlooking the exceptional Serre Ponçon and the Embrun Valley, the Les Orres ski resort is a great winter sports destination, either with family or friends.

BASE: 3494ft
SUMMIT: 4921ft
VERTICAL DROP: 1427ft

NO. OF. LIFTS: 11
Gondolas: 0
Chairs: 0
Surface: 11