Ecole Nationale Supérieure
des Mines
5
Walk up Boulevard St-Michel and the Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines will be on your left at No. 60. Founded
by Louis XVI in 1783, the School of Mines was established to train mining engineers. It is now one of the country’s Grands Ecoles and despite its small size – it only accepts 120 students a year – it is one of the country’s most prestigious educational establishments. Initially located in the Hôtel de la Monnaie overlooking the River Seine, it closed down during the Revolution. It was re-established in 1794 but moved to Savoie. After the Bourbon restoration in 1814 it moved back to the city and was established here in the Hôtel de Vendôme. The school is also home to the Musée de Minéralogie, a national collection of minerals.
Ecole Nationale Supérieure des Mines
Opening times: 1.30–6pm Tue–Fri; 10am–12.30pm, 2–5pm Sat
Tel: 01. 40 51 91 39
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Enter the Jardin du Luxembourg via rue Auguste Comte. These magnificent gardens cover 25 hectares (60 acres) and stand on what used to be a Carthusian monastery. The gardens are centred on the Palais du Luxembourg and a vast octagonal pool, the Grand Bassin. Attributed to François Chalgrin, this is popular with children sailing toy boats.
Most of the garden’s 60 statues were erected in the 19th century. These include queens of France (circling the main fountain), George Sand by Sicard and Stendhal by Rodin (both of which are near the main entrance on Boulevard St-Michel). There is also a bust of Beethoven by Bourdelle, near the corner of rue de Vaugirard and rue Guynemer.
The park is laid out as a series of formal terraces, and there are plenty of benches, which are popular both summer and winter. It also includes an open-air café, a puppet theatre and a bandstand. There are even some tennis courts.
Located in the north-eastern corner of the gardens is the Fontaine de Medicis. Built in the style of an Italian grotto, it was designed by Nicolas de Brosses in 1620 for Marie de Medicis and is a stunning Baroque fountain standing at the end of a narrow shady pool. It moved to its present location in 1860, and the mythological figures were added by August Ottin in 1866 – Polyphemus is seen hovering threateningly over the beautifully rendered figures of Acis and Galatea, these are in turn flanked by Pan and Diana.
The Palais du Luxembourg is home to the French Senate. Originally a town house built by Alexandre de la Tourette in 1564, it occupied the site of an old Roman camp. It then became the property of the duc de Luxembourg who sold it to Marie de Medicis, widow of Henri IV, in 1612. The Queen
Luxembourg
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