Luxembourg Palace

The Luxembourg Palace is a 17th-century palace on Paris’s Left Bank in the 6th arrondissement, originally commissioned by Marie de’ Medici. It now houses the French Senate and overlooks the public Jardin du Luxembourg.

Visitors come for the adjacent gardens, formal terraces, statues and the Medici Fountain; guided access to parts of the palace is available during specific public openings. The palace interiors contain legislative chambers and historic rooms used for parliamentary business.

Construction began in 1615 under Salomon de Brosse for Marie de’ Medici; the building has undergone alterations over the centuries and was adapted in the 19th century to accommodate the Senate. It has served various state functions since the early modern period.

Located on the Left Bank of the Seine in central Paris, the palace sits in the heart of the city’s 6th arrondissement within easy reach of central Paris landmarks.

• Origins: The palace was built for Marie de' Medici beginning in 1615 and was designed by architect Salomon de Brosse.
• Current use and gardens: Today the site houses the French Senate and fronts the public Jardin du Luxembourg, which remains open to visitors throughout the year.

What to See #

• Senate chamber: Contains the main parliamentary chamber used by France's upper house, with representative halls and offices dating from the 19th century conversion of parts of the palace for legislative use.
• Jardin du Luxembourg: A formal park laid out on the palace grounds with avenues, statues and the 17th-century Medici Fountain; it is one of Paris's major public green spaces and is open to visitors daily.
• Medici Fountain: A Baroque fountain on the garden's lower terrace originally connected to the palace and remodelled in the 17th century; it is a noted feature within the gardens and a common visitor sight.