A Walking Tour Paris

The area around the Jardin du Luxembourg is one of the most sought-
after in the city. It is close to the bustle of St-Germain-des-Prés, but its
quiet leafy greenness make it seem a world away. The gardens of the
Palais du Luxembourg were opened to the public in the 19th century,
when people used to be able to pick the fruit in the orchards on payment
of a small fee. The gardens are a beautifully planted series of formal
walkways, avenues and ponds popular with tourists and locals alike.
The area around the gardens is full of interesting buildings, including
the churches of St-Sulpice, St-Joseph-des-Carmes and Val-de-Grâce, this
last one reckoned to be the most beautiful in the city. There are also two
famous fountains: the de Medicis and de l’Observatoire, both of which
are spectacular sites for a city centre. Then there is the Observatoire de
Paris as well as the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines, one of France’s
most prestigious research and education establishments.