We began our day with a visit to the Luxembourg Garden. Located in the 6th arrondissement, between the Latin Quarter and Saint-Germain-des-Pres, it is a lovely public park. Today we are scheduled to visit Notre Dame Cathedral and we plan to meet our guide there at 2:00 pm. So, we took the Metro to the Garden and walked through it on our way to lunch and then the cathedral.
The garden is a beautifully landscaped area known for its tree-lined promenades, fountains, and colorful flowerbeds. You can relax on green metal chairs by the central octagonal pond, watch children sail toy boats, or stroll past classical statues. Blending formal French design with a welcoming atmosphere, it’s one of the city’s most beloved spots for leisure and reflection. Unfortunately, we only caught a glimpse of this beautiful place. Join me as we see a little of what it has to offer. Let’s start with two pictures looking inward.
And now, let’s stroll. A sculpture as seen from behind . . .
. . . and in front.
Enjoy what we saw along the way, just passing through. Don’t walk on the grass, stay on the paths.
This photo and the one that follows provides a sense of the size of the garden.
And before we knew it, we were out of the garden and on our way to lunch. As we walked along, taking our time, looking for a little bistro for a bite, we passed the Chapel of Sainte-Ursule de la Sorbonne which was the chapel for the Catholic students and faculty of the College of Sorbonne in Paris in the 18th century. It was commissioned in 1626 by Cardinal Richelieu whose tomb was placed there after his death in 1642. It is the only building remaining from the 17th century university. Unfortunately, it is closed for restoration.
A few more blocks, past some interesting side streets,
A magazine vender, and . . .
. . . before we knew it we had two glasses of wine, a bottle of water and a delightful cheese tray sitting in front of us.
Lunch is fini, let’s head over to Notre Dame.