jardin | A French Collection

Medici Fountain in Jardin du Luxembourg

The Medici Fountain - Jardin du Luxembourg with autumn flowers in urns

Medici Fountain in Jardin du Luxembourg — The Most Romantic Fountain in Paris

La Fontaine Médicis, or Medici Fountain, is a romantic fountain in the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg in Paris found in the 6th arrondissement. Built in 1630 for Marie de Médicis, the monumental fountain is of an ornate Italian design that stands out from the geometric French layout and the formality of many areas of the Luxembourg Garden. You'll find it in a quiet, shaded corner of the garden surrounded by benches, urns and sweeping ivy vines that border and separate the fountain from its surrounds. Stunning in any season, it's easily the most romantic fountain in Paris.

The History of Medici Fountain

The Medici Fountain was commissioned by Marie de Médicis around 1630 for her palace on the Left Bank. Marie de Médicis is one of the 20 illustrious women of French history who are honoured with a statue in the Luxembourg Garden. See our post 20 Queen Statues in Luxembourg Garden to read more about these incredible French women.

The fountain takes inspiration from Florence’s Boboli Gardens. It was moved to the present site and expanded in 1864 to 1866. Sculptor Auguste Ottin added the figures from Greek mythology, including bronze cyclops Polyphemus discovering white marble lovers Acis and Galatea. In the myth the jealous giant kills human Acis, so sea-nymph Galatea transforms her dead lover into an immortal river spirit. The long reflecting pool in front is fringed with charming flowers and foliage.

Square Gabriel-Pierné, Paris – A Pink Fairytale Park in Spring

Square Gabriel-Pierné, Paris - A Pink Fairytale Park in Spring

Paris is an amazing city for the millions of tourists that flock to the City of Light to explore, dine and shop. But what about the locals who live, work, study and call the city their own? What makes the city amazing and so enjoyable to live in for them? I've asked many people who live in Paris what they love most, and it's the abundance of large gardens and small parks or squares that they love. Especially at springtime when the cherry trees blossom.

With so many Parisians living in apartments, gardens and parks are an essential part of their life, in fact they are rather like having a garden with all the benefits without the maintenance. Parisians embrace picnicking in parks, reading on quiet benches, watching their children on playground equipment, enjoying social gatherings or just simply taking in the fresh air and green surroundings. And this is regardless of the weather.

Parc Monceau, Paris

Parc Monceau is an exotic escape in central Paris. Located in the 8th arrondissement the park is the remnants of a much larger property once owned by the Duc de Chartres.

Parc Monceau - An exotic park in Paris

It was converted into a "Chinese" garden with winding pathways and "follies" including a pagoda, grottos, a labyrinth and mills - all of which transported the visitor to an exotic land.

If you visit this lesser known Parisian park today, you'll only find the modest sized pyramid and the Naumachie, an oval pool surrounded by a colonnade. Still standing is the rotunda at the entrance on Boulevard de Courcelles, which is one of four pavilions that still remain from the forty-seven that once graced this majestic park.

Square René Viviani – The Little Park in the Middle of Paris

Nestled in the middle of downtown Paris amongst ancient monuments, the Saint-Julien-le-Pauvre Church, stunning Haussmann buildings and the flowing waters of the Seine, is a little park named Square René Viviani. It's bordered by the Quai de Montebello, rue Saint-Julien le Pauvre and rue Lagrange in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, the heart of the Latin Quarter,

Square René Viviani - The Little Park in the Middle of Paris

Square René Viviani is right opposite Notre Dame de Paris, but is often missed by the general throng of tourists. For that I'm rather glad too, because it's a lovely little park that is mostly quiet, except for its Christmas markets which are well-loved since relocating from Parvis de Notre Dame de Paris since the 2019 fire. We'll see if the markets return to Notre Dame Square later this year.

Why is René Viviani Honoured with a Park Named After Him?

The Square is a tribute to René Viviani who was a French lawyer and politician that lived between 1863 to 1925. Viviani is remembered as France's first Minister of Labour. He also importantly became President of the Council in August 1914, and it was in that capacity that he signed the "General Mobilisation Order" on Sunday, 2 August 1914.

Small Secret Garden in the Marais, Paris

Jardin des Roisers Joseph Migneret, Paris

I stumbled across a small secret garden with a big story to tell the other week as I was going to one of my favourite English bookstores in Paris. Just near the Smith & Son bookstore in the Marais district, hidden behind buildings and with only a narrow gated entrance, I found Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret. Stopping to read about the garden on the City of Paris information sign, I then slipped through the open gate, to be quickly enveloped in freshness and lush leafy shade.

Jardin des Rosiers Joseph Migneret - A Small Secret Garden in the Marais

Let me share more with you about this wonderful secret green space in the 4th arrondissement - where you'll find it, who the garden honours and my personal photos and a YouTube clip to watch. Be transported to this little slice of Parisian heaven hidden behind shops, office buildings and apartments.

Why You Must Visit Jardin du Luxembourg When in Paris

I particularly love Jardin du Luxembourg with its abundance of chairs and benches, stunning flower beds, pétanque fields, children's playground, carousel, tennis courts, large duck pond and hidden statues amongst formal gardens. And what about the little wooden sailing boats on the Grand Bassin pond - just spectacular! It is the garden for everyone.

Make sure you know how to make the most of your visit to this stunning Parisian garden.

Podcast show notes and all photos https://www.afrenchcollection.com/jardin-du-luxembourg-a-beautiful-paris-garden/

AFTER A WONDERFUL FEW YEARS OF CREATING PODCASTS, WE HAVE NOW DISCONTINUED OUR PODCAST SHOW.

You can still read the podcast show notes on the link above.

Annette Charlton

Annette lives with her family between their homes in France and Australia. She’s been featured in International magazines including French Property News, on numerous blogs and travel websites and appeared on ABC National Radio. You can connect on Instagram or Facebook.

www.afrenchcollection.com

Jardin du Luxembourg – A Beautiful Paris Garden

Jardin du Luxembourg - A Beautiful Paris Garden

A stroll around Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Garden) takes you back in history to the golden days when ladies dressed in their Sunday best and shielded their fair faces from the sun with frilly parasols. Being out and seen by others was almost as important as people watching yourself, and really, not that much has changed! Jardin du Luxembourg is still the perfect garden to stroll through or to sit quietly and watch others as they also enjoy the garden.

Let's explore the garden together along with just a few of my hundreds of photos taken on visits to Jardin du Luxembourg.

Why Are All Paris Benches, Signs and Fences Green?

Paris is famous for its iconic green benches, chairs, fences and signs but have you ever wondered about the story behind why the public furniture and fixtures around Paris, including the beautiful Wallace Fountains, are painted green? The green colour is called 'Carriage Green' and it has a history all of its own.

Here's the story about the colour Carriage Green'. It originates from the dark period of history of the French Revolution and the beheading of France's King Louis XVI on 21 January 1793.