Designed by renowned architect Salomon de Brosse in the early 17th Century, the palace and park clearly display the whole set of urban design trends typical for this time. The construction of the garden was supervised by the famous queen consort of France, Maria de Medicis. Feeling nostalgic for her native Florence, she wanted the garden to resemble the layout of the garden of Palazzo Pitti. However, the royal constructor chose to be more faithful to French architectural trends.

The resulting design includes a residential court and a chapel facing a sophisticated garden and surrounded by wings. The garden is divided into two sections, called a la francaise and a l’anglaise. As the names suggest, the former exemplifies the French garden design trends, and the latter closely follows the English model. The entire west wing of the palace is devoted to the commemoration of Maria de Medicis and includes a collection of her portraits by Peter Paul Rubens. The garden also features a lavishly decorated fountain named after the queen.

Contemporary visitors have the chance to admire the large collection of statues and sculptures adorning the park. Produced in various historical and philosophical epochs, they represent the spirit and values of their time, as well as the great personalities from its history. Many of them are tributes to important figures in the history of France and the entire world. Commemorated artists and intellectuals include composer Ludwig van Beethoven and Charles Baudelaire, the eminent French poet. Visitors might be surprised to come across a small replica of the Statue of Liberty, the original version of which was a gift from France to the USA.

The southwestern end of Jardin du Luxembourg delights tourists with the magical scent and colour of the blossoms of an orchard grove. Hundreds of apple and pear trees lining winding, shaded paths create a unique atmosphere for relaxation. On weekdays, Jardin du Luxembourg is a popular lunchtime refuge for all those working in nearby offices. At weekends, the park is visited mostly by parents with children who come to see the excellent puppet theatre shows or enjoy a ride on the famous merry-go-round. Additional entertainment options are supplied by the legendary Odéon Theatre, located just beside the park. Inaugurated by Marie Antoinette in 1782, it was originally built to house the Comédie Française. In 1990, it was officially renamed as Théâtre de l'opéra.

Fans of horseback riding and tennis can be sure to find appropriate facilities to indulge in their favourite activity. Boat rental services at the pond offer an opportunity to spend a pleasant afternoon boating. In the summer, open-air concerts and theatre performances entertain the park’s guests almost every afternoon, if the weather allows.