Paris: A Secret Garden of 100 Goddesses, a Local's Romantic Hideaway

Overshadowed by the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, a secret garden lies hidden on Paris's Left Bank—a place devoid of selfie stick-wielding tourists, yet frequented by French senators. Scattered across its lawns are 106 stunning "stone beauties," each corner whispering tales of the Bourbon dynasty. This is the Luxembourg Gardens, a "city oasis" cherished by Parisians, a sanctuary of French romance sculpted over four centuries. In 1612, Marie de' Medici, a princess from Florence, initiated Paris's most romantic garden legacy with a contract following the assassination of her husband, Henry IV. Known as the "First Widow of Paris," the Queen Regent, inspired by her native Pitti Palace, created a 22.5-hectare dreamscape on the Left Bank. The fusion of Italian Renaissance fountains and French geometric gardens birthed a unique European aesthetic: sycamore-lined paths and tulip beds in golden ratio, marble goddesses gracing French lawns. Strolling through the chestnut groves, you'll encounter over a hundred sculpted goddesses. From Athena of Greek mythology to Joan of Arc of France, from Hugo's book-holding daughter to the harp-embracing Muse, this open-air sculpture museum holds hidden secrets. According to the park's official explanation, most of these sculptures were created during the 19th-century Belle Époque, inspired by "Liberty Leading the People," with female figures embodying the French spirit. Most intriguing is the central fountain's bronze group, where four nymphs uphold a crown, a poignant testament to Queen Marie's devotion to the Bourbon dynasty. On a working day afternoon, you'll witness a quintessential Parisian tableau: senators discussing affairs of state beneath chestnut trees, Sorbonne students navigating between statues with books in hand, and elderly Parisians enticing pigeons by the fountain with baguettes. Each fall, the garden transforms into a "mobile art gallery"—the City Hall transfers Louvre masterpieces to open-air exhibitions, bringing art to life. To experience everyday Parisian romance, rent a dark green folding chair (EUR 2.5/hr) like a local and bask in the sun by the octagonal pool, watching sailboat races. Guide to Exploring: Address: 6e arrondissement, 75006 Paris Transportation: 3-min walk from Luxembourg Station on RER B line Opening Hours: Summer 7:30am–9:30pm/Winter 8:00am–5:00pm Admission: Free (reservations required for open-air art exhibitions) Bonus: Find the prototype of the "Statue of Liberty"! The bronze statue in the northwest corner of the park is the "first version" of the New York Statue of Liberty. While travel guides tout Montmartre, true Parisian connoisseurs are already seated in the Luxembourg Palace's open-air theater, listening to the echoes of Molière's plays. Free from the clamor of influencer check-ins, only the rustling sycamore leaves whisper the unfinished love story of Queen Marie de' Medici—perhaps this is Paris's most extravagant romance: four centuries of history hidden within a garden.