13.27 - Paris: Memories of the Luxembourg Gardens, 75006
I have many wonderful personal memories of the Luxembourg Gardens in Paris as I’m sure that you do too.
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1. Paris: Memories of the Luxembourg Gardens, 75006
2. Recently published articles: MyFrenchLife™ Magazine
3. Judy’s Missive 13.27 (year 13 week 27)
4. Merci mille fois
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Paris: Memories of the Luxembourg Gardens, 75006
Patti Smith is an amazing writer, performer, and visual artist… anyway, it’s her fault, that I’m down this rabbit hole! This last week Patti Smith has been in Paris, & I’m always curious about how others experience Paris, so I’m following :) This was her post that caught my attention, but do NOT miss the comments, all 70 of them :).
The beautiful and expansive Luxembourg Gardens were designed in the early 17th century by Marie de Medici, widow of Henry IV.
Often, after absinthe in a cafe by the Odeon Theatre, Arthur and Paul Verlaine would happily stumble through the labyrinth of statues and flowers, carousels and puppet theaters.
Tomorrow we will visit the home and small garden of the artist Delacroix.
I have many wonderful personal memories of the Luxembourg Gardens
About a decade ago…I found myself travelling from Australia once or twice a year and staying in Paris for a month at a time. When you travel from Australia to France it’s a 20-24 hour flight and you need/want to stay at your destination for a few weeks to make it worthwhile in terms of cost and also energy.
More than once I stayed in a superb apartment in rue de Tournon, right near the Luxembourg Gardens, Saint Sultpice, Saint Germain Market, & Piscine, Odeon Theatre, Musee du Luxembourg, Boulevard St. Germain, rue de Seine, and more!
I loved that location, being within walking distance of Bouvard Raspail and the organic market at Marché Raspail, etc, to the west, Sorbonne University, and rue Monge to the east, and the Seine to the north. Not forgetting of course The Luxembourg Gardens immediately to the south, which was almost our back garden, or that was how we liked to think of it :)
Oh, the memories…
Mornings were special times, and still are. At that time there was a well-known patisserie nearby on the corner of rue de Seine and rue Saint-Sulpice, and thanks to my husband being an early bird, that allowed for leisurely breakfasts of croissants and strong coffee in the apartment.
After that, I usually headed off to find somewhere magical to write or conduct interviews or organise events for the MyFrenchLife Community and my husband headed to the wonderful Luxembourg Gardens. He found a secluded, grassed, enclave, that he made his own and basked in the sunshine. It was usually May or September after all. He enjoyed reading and immersing himself in the European press.
Back to memories…
I have many memories of the first visit to Paris by my first granddaughter. She knew the names of the iconic sites from the Paris popup books I’d given her and got so excited when she saw them and delighted in naming them out loud.
A Few of My Favourites
And whilst you’re visiting les Jardins du Luxembourg here is my favourites list:
to swim - Piscine Saint-Germain and Piscine Pontoise
to eat and drink - too many to list but les Editeurs cafe/restaurant is reliably good, and Avant Comptoir de la Terre & the other seafood one by Yves Camdeborde are fabulous, small, standing room only, and L’Avant Comptoir du Marché. But a must and next door is the tiny restaurant le Comptoir owned by Le Relais Saint Germain Hotel - superb! It used to open at noon for lunch, get there 15-20 mins early to be at the front of the queue, it’s worth it! If staying at the hotel you can get a booking. Oh and don’t miss the little family resto Le Petit Pontoise - make a booking.
to go to the theatre - the superb Odeon Theatre
galleries and boutiques line rue de Seine & small surrounding streets, enjoy!
Don’t forget the bookshops! secondhand bookshops and new bookshops.
The statues in the Jardins du Luxembourg are amazing. Here you’ll find a map of the statues & photos. Here is a list & map locating all statues in Paris.
You’re in the heart of the left bank and all that it offers - here’s a comprehensive list for you.
Do you have memories of Jardins du Luxembourg or the 6th arrondissement in Paris? Please share either by clicking the red button OR on our ‘le Bulletin’ French trip memories chat thread here.
2. Recently published articles: MyFrenchLife™ Magazine
a. A Day with Claude Sarraute – Une Journée avec Claude Sarraute ← click here
“When I was a journalist in Paris, working for CBS News from 1984 to 1987, I wrote a radio report about a day I spent with newspaper columnist Claude Sarraute. I loved reading Sarraute’s columns in Le Monde.” says contributor Ronnie Hess.
b. Paris: What I’d Do Differently Next Time - 4 key tips ← click here
“Paris: What I'd do differently... with a little knowledge & planning, you can minimize the stress to make the most of your Paris vacation!” writes contributor Michelle Mason.
3. Judy’s Missive 13.27 (year 13, week 27)
Since moving ‘le Bulletin’ to Substack I’ve made another change. In future:
- ‘le Bulletin’: will only contain stories about France and
- Judy’s Missive: will contain ponderings about life and love.
My ‘Missive’ can be found on the NOTES tab on ‘le Bulletin’ homepage.
To read click the below image.
4. Merci mille fois
“Merci mille fois... for being such a loyal, occasional, or new, reader of ‘le Bulletin’ …I'm grateful that you’re here reading - please know that I really enjoy writing for you weekly...” Judy MacMahon
I appreciate your messages - rants, suggestions, creative ideas, collaborations, and opposing views are all welcome!
Send me a message ← click here
À Bientôt
Judy x
A memory of Luxembourg Gardens: Mother's Day, 2020. I believe it was the day before the first lockdown ended. We had been stuck in our apartment in the 8th for several weeks (6 weeks? 8? It's hard to remember now) and I wanted to get out for Mother's Day. We drove to Luxembourg Gardens. Technically, it was sill the time when one was allowed to travel only one mile from one's apartment. The gardens were locked, as they would remain for some time, but we walked around the gates peeking in. My husband, son, and I were strolling when a police car skidded to a stop on the street in front of us. 4 police got out--in Paris the police drive these tiny cars, and they always sit four to a car--and swarmed us, yelling about our attestation papers and ID. Eventually I found my passport and handed it to one of the policemen. He seemed surprised, told his colleagues, and they let us off with a reminder to go home immediately. It was the first and only time in Paris that my diplomatic passport was helpful!
my partner richard and i spent 3 morning a week taking tai chi with charles a master from china. then, cafe de la mairie or la palette for coffee and rue de seine