Royal Destination Palais du Luxembourg in Paris
Paris, the beautiful capital of France, has lots of places and buildings with an amazing history. One of those places is the Palace (in French: Palais) du Luxembourg. It is located in the 6th. arrondissement at 15 Rue de Vaugirard. Besides the alluring building the Palais du Luxembourg really has a very nice royal history.
Some royal history
When King Henry IV of France died in 1610, his widow, Maria de' Medici, became regent to her son King Louis XIII. At that time, she decided to erect a new palace for herself. She bought an old hôtel particulier, owned by François de Luxembourg, Dud de Piney.
Maria de' Medici wanted a palace similar to her native Palazzo Pitti in Florence. She sent the architect Métezeau to Florence to make detailed drawings of the building.
Maria de' Medici bought the Luxembourg in 1612. She installed her household in 1625 in the palace while work on interiors continued. The right wing on the western side were reserved for the Queen and
the matching suite to the east for her son, Louis XIII, when he was visiting her. She also commissioned paintings from Peter Paul Rubens.
In 1642, Gaston, duc d'Orléans inherited the Luxembourg Palace. He called it the Orléans Palace, but the place was still popular by its original name.
Gaston's widow, Margueritte de Lorraine, inherited the palace after his death, later it went to his elder daughter, Anne, duchess de Montpensier.
In 1660, Anne de Montpensier sold the Luxembourg to her younger half-sister Élisabeth Marguerite d'Orléans, duchesse de Guise who, in turn gave it to her cousin, King Louis XIV in 1694.
In 1715 the Luxembourg Palace became the residence of Marie Louise Élisabeth d'Orléans, Duchess of Berry.
On 21 May 1717, Madame de Berry received Tsar Peter the Great at the Luxembourg Palace. In her later life she left Paris and the Luxembourg Palace.
In 1750, the Luxembourg Palace became a museum. In 1778 it was given to the compte de Provence (later King Louis XVIII) by his brother King Louis XVI.
During the French Revolution, it was briefly a prison, then the seat of the French Directory. It also became the first residence of Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of France.
From 1799 till 1805 the Luxembourg Palace was transferred into a legislative building.
During the German occupation of Paris (1940-1944) the Palace of Luxembourg was the headquarter of Hermann Göring and the Luftwaffe in France.
From 29 July to 15 October 1946, the Luxembourg Palace was the site of talks of the Paris Peace Conference.
A visit
The Palais du Luxembourg is not always open for public. However I really love to walk in the beautiful gardens of the Palace. In these gardens there are statues of all the Kings and Queens of France, so
royal history really is very nearby!
 |
| Palais du Luxembourg Paris France own picture taken in 2017 |
Some royal history
When King Henry IV of France died in 1610, his widow, Maria de' Medici, became regent to her son King Louis XIII. At that time, she decided to erect a new palace for herself. She bought an old hôtel particulier, owned by François de Luxembourg, Dud de Piney.
Maria de' Medici wanted a palace similar to her native Palazzo Pitti in Florence. She sent the architect Métezeau to Florence to make detailed drawings of the building.
Maria de' Medici bought the Luxembourg in 1612. She installed her household in 1625 in the palace while work on interiors continued. The right wing on the western side were reserved for the Queen and
the matching suite to the east for her son, Louis XIII, when he was visiting her. She also commissioned paintings from Peter Paul Rubens.
Maria de' Medici
Source picture: Wikipedia
In 1642, Gaston, duc d'Orléans inherited the Luxembourg Palace. He called it the Orléans Palace, but the place was still popular by its original name.
Gaston's widow, Margueritte de Lorraine, inherited the palace after his death, later it went to his elder daughter, Anne, duchess de Montpensier.
In 1660, Anne de Montpensier sold the Luxembourg to her younger half-sister Élisabeth Marguerite d'Orléans, duchesse de Guise who, in turn gave it to her cousin, King Louis XIV in 1694.
In 1715 the Luxembourg Palace became the residence of Marie Louise Élisabeth d'Orléans, Duchess of Berry.
On 21 May 1717, Madame de Berry received Tsar Peter the Great at the Luxembourg Palace. In her later life she left Paris and the Luxembourg Palace.
In 1750, the Luxembourg Palace became a museum. In 1778 it was given to the compte de Provence (later King Louis XVIII) by his brother King Louis XVI.
King Louis XVIII of France
Source picture: Wikipedia
During the French Revolution, it was briefly a prison, then the seat of the French Directory. It also became the first residence of Napoleon Bonaparte as First Consul of France.
From 1799 till 1805 the Luxembourg Palace was transferred into a legislative building.
During the German occupation of Paris (1940-1944) the Palace of Luxembourg was the headquarter of Hermann Göring and the Luftwaffe in France.
From 29 July to 15 October 1946, the Luxembourg Palace was the site of talks of the Paris Peace Conference.
 |
| Palais du Luxembourg Paris France - own picture taken in 2017 |
A visit
The Palais du Luxembourg is not always open for public. However I really love to walk in the beautiful gardens of the Palace. In these gardens there are statues of all the Kings and Queens of France, so
royal history really is very nearby!
 |
| Palais du Luxembourg in Paris France - own picture taken in 2017 |
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