These splendidly grand gardens are the second largest in Paris, yet conveniently located in the 6th arondissment, just a few hundred metres down the Boulevarde Saint Michel from the Ile de la Cite where so many tourists go to find Notre Dame Cathedral.

It is the garden of the French Senate which conducts its business inside the grand palace at the head of the gardens.

It was first built by Marie de Medicis in 1611 as she attempted to replicate the combination of the Boboli Gardens and Pitti Palace in Florence. 

Today it is over 20 hectares of splendidly regal chestnut-lined avenues, lush grassed areas, immaculately tended and colourful borders and broad gravel pathways for Parisians and tourists to stroll at their ease.

These gardens are renowned as an island of tranquility in the middle of a bustling capital city and indeed the atmosphere is elegantly genteel, while also delightfully informal. 

If Hyde Park typifies London, then the Jardin de Luxembourg do the same for Paris.

The large feature pond, known as the 'bassin' is surrounded by a raised balustraded terrace with multiple grand statues (though much more tastefully populated than the equivalent Italian gardens).

There are orchards and fenced children's playgrounds, a puppet theatre and a wonderful vintage carousel. 

Free music concerts are often held in a gazebo in the gardens where Parisians will while away a late afternoon or light evening with a glass of wine. 

The Orangerie also provides space for exhibitions of painting and photography.

This really is a superb public gardens cum park, not a botanic gardens by any means, though you will see excellent border plantings and supremely exact hedge and tree topiary here. 

It is immaculately kept and a delight to visit and if I lived in Paris I'd make a point of spending time there at least once a week.

Fans of Victor Hugo's great novel 'Les Miserables, will also know the Jardin de Luxembourg as the place where Marius and Cosette first meet.