The Jardins du Luxembourg, Luxembourg Garden, is a garden built in 1612 by Queen Marie de' Medici. After her husband, King Henry IV, was assassinated, she decided to leave the Louvre and buy the park owned by the Duke of Luxembourg. It then moved to what is now the Luxembourg Gardens. She built this place to remind herself of her childhood. Between 1615 and 1627 the Palais du Luxembourg, the Luxembourg Palace, was built on the north side of the Luxembourg Garden. The queen ordered the architect Salomon de Brosse to build the palace taking inspiration from the Pitti Palace. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay Indeed, in 1625, the queen was unable to enjoy her new palace and gardens as she was banished by Richelieu before her palace was complete. In 1794, the palace was used as a prison during the French Revolution. It was the headquarters of the Luftwaffe during World War II and currently houses the French Senate. The gardens total 55.6 acres, 224,500 square miles of land. The gardens are divided into two, the French one and the English one. Between the two lies a geometric forest and a large octagonal pond, known as Grand Bassin, where children can rent small boats. Children can also have fun with the puppet theatre, pony rides, carousel and large playground. Adults can play chess, tennis and bridge or remote control boats. There is also an orchard with several types of forgotten apples, an apiary to learn about beekeeping, and greenhouses with a collection of orchids and a rose garden. The garden has 106 statues scattered throughout the park. The most famous fountain is the Fontaine Médicis. It was designed in the early 17th century. It features a sculptural group in the center depicting Polyphemus, in his Greek mythological figure, observing the lovers Acis and Galatea. The Fountaine Delacroix located on the west side of the palace was created to honor the French painter Eugène Delacroix. “...consists of a rectangular tank with six jets. In the center there is a high pedestal with the painter's bust”. () The Fontaine de l'Observatoire is located in an extension called Jardins de l'Observatoire. It was built in 1873 by Davioud, Carpaux and Frémiet. The fountain has a globe held by four women, each of the women representing a continent. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a custom essay The least famous fountain is the Fontaine de Léda. It was built in 1806, behind the Fontaine Médicis. A mythical scene is represented with Leda and Zeus disguised as swans. The park has nearly 70 statues around the park. Twenty of the statues are French queens, including Marie de' Medici. “Many of the statues in the Luxembourg Gardens honor famous (mostly French) people, from politicians and scientists to sculptors and painters to poets and composers…” (A view of the cities) The Luxembourg Gardens are open every day , every day of the year. In summer it is open from 7am to one hour before sunset. In winter it is open from 8am to one hour before sunset. Entrance is completely free. The garden is located between the borders of Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the Latin Quarter. Boulevard Saint-Michel, lle-de-France, Paris, France, 75006. 6e arrondissement. Metro line 4 or 10 to Odéon station or line B to Luxembourg station.