Description

Essentials about Luxembourg Palace in brief

Luxembourg Palace (Palais du Luxembourg) is an early 17th century palace in the middle of the famous Latin Quarter student district. The palace is best known for its beautiful parkland, the Jardin du Luxembourg. Nowadays, the Senate of the French Republic meets in the Palais itself. An annex of Luxembourg Palace houses the Musée du Luxembourg.

The history of Luxembourg Palace

The palace was built from 1615 to 1620 by order of the French queen Maria de Medici. Maria, who was not comfortable in the Louvre, the residence of the French kings, wanted to have a Florentine-style widow’s residence built for her after the death of her husband, modeled on the Palazzo Pitti in her former hometown of Florence. After its completion, however, Luxembourg Palace matched its Florentine model in only a few details. Maria de Medici was also unable to enjoy the palace complex for long, as she was only able to spend a few years there due to an exile.

After changing owners, parts of the royal painting collection from Versailles were made accessible to the public for the first time in 1750 in the rooms of the palace. This made the Musée du Luxembourg the first French museum. In 1779, however, the exhibition was closed again, as King Louis XVI bequeathed the palace to his brother. During the French Revolution, the palace was confiscated as national property and served temporarily as an armory and a prison. During Napoleon’s reign, the building was converted into the seat of the Senate around 1800 and has been the seat of the second parliamentary chamber since 1814 and the seat of the French Senate since 1852.

Visiting Luxembourg Palace

The former Musée du Luxembourg has existed again since 1979 and is housed in an annex of Luxembourg Palace built at the end of the 19th century. Today, temporary exhibitions on fine arts are shown. Luxembourg Palace can be visited on a guided tour on days when the Senate is not in session. Those interested in French politics can also attend a Senate debate open to the public.

Website

senat.fr

Opening hours

The sessions of the Senate usually take place on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays. To attend, however, an invitation from a French senator is required.

Guided tours of the Palais du Luxembourg take place on days when there are no sessions (Monday, Friday and Saturday). For more information, see the website.

Admission fees

None.

Address

Getting there

By public transport:

Métro line 4: Stop Saint-Sulpice

Métro line 10: Stop Mabillon

RER line B: Stop Luxembourg

Bus lines 58, 84 and 89: Stop Sénat

By car:

The nearest parking garages are Parking Marché Saint-Germain and École de Médecine.