Built in 1612 by Queen Marie de Medici, Luxembourg Palace and its gardens were an exclusive royal estate that turned the neighborhood into a fashionable district for French nobility, and played a pivotal role in Paris’ development. Today it remains one of Paris’ most poised and tranquil green spaces, providing a wonderful break from the hustle and bustle of the city. Listen to your guide explain the history of the gardens as you walk along the uniform hedgerows past flowerbeds, statues of former kings, queens and emperors, and stately arrangements of flora and fauna that showcase the classic French gardening style. Thousands of tulips embellish the display during the spring months.