My last day in Paris and, quite out of character for someone who struggles to sit the whole way through a movie, I spent the vast majority of it relaxing in the park. Not just any park, however - one of the city's most popular with visitors and residents alike. The serenity of the beautiful Jardin du Luxembourg is not only a magnet for tourists seeking respite from busy itineraries, but also a lush green haven for locals, who while away their afternoons reading, listening to music and spending quality time with friends and family.
It's not hard to see where the attraction lies: the perfectly manicured lawns are fringed with bright, bold flower beds; there are statuettes and fountains galore; and it's spacious enough that it doesn't feel crowded, even in high season. The park is bigger than it initially seems, housing a tennis court, food pavilions and an orangery. With elegant French chatter in the background, city-dwellers taking urban art classes and the national flag fluttering in the gentle breeze, I feel more immersed in the Paris way of life here than anywhere else since stepping out of the Gare du Nord five days ago. If you have a free day at your disposal, the Jardin du Luxembourg is a lovely place to unwind, people watch and experience Paris like a true local!
