Tag Archives: Luxembourg Gardens

[Sarah Vaughan—one of my favorite Jazz singers.]

“I never knew the charm of spring” until last weekend in Paris.  This song played like an anthem in my head.  Paris, you simply stunned us… (I just want to weep like this sculpture, with tears of joy, of course.)

Kevin and I stayed in the Marais neighborhood, and, in our humble opinion, was a great location to get just about anywhere in Paris.  With its numerous cafés, brasseries and boutique shops, it’s an easy place to fall right into the scene.

We spent most of the three-day getaway walking around Paris, taking pleasure in the city’s cafe culture and wandering through its beautiful gardens and parks.  Just about every flower and tree was in bloom.  We also spent one day touring the Palace of Versailles, which you can read about in another post.

This perfectly symmetrical square, Place des Vosges, is one of the oldest in Paris. It was designed by Henry IV and was once a chosen site for duels.  Today,  the square is simply enjoyed by the locals and k&mk as well.

Likewise with Luxembourg Gardens (Jardin du Luxembourg).  This is one of Paris’s most beloved parks.  The garden/park/rec area is the property of the French Senate and comes with its own set of rules about its use (e.g. where to run, walk dogs, play music, etc).  With its myriad of fountains, statues, trees and flower beds this is the perfect place to take a stroll or “catch some rays.”

We made one museum stop to the Musée de l’Orangerie to view Monet’s water lilies—eight of the approximately 250 paintings are displayed in the two oval rooms specifically built for this collection.  They are breathtaking to see in-person.

Upon leaving the l’Orangerie, we watched runners from the Paris Marathon show their stride.  “Go, Go, Go!”

It was an amazing three days.  Oh, Paris, “What have you done to my heart?”