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General
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City Guide > Europe > France > Paris | |
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Further Distractions Jardin du Luxembourg (Luxembourg Gardens) This garden, part formal, part jardin à l’anglaise, were created for Marie de Médicis (Henri IV’s widow), along with the Palais du Luxembourg, which now houses the French Senate. It is a favoured spot for a Sunday stroll, game of tennis, chess or boules, pony ride or yacht trip on the lake. Boulevard St-Michel, rue de Médicis, rue Guynemer, rue d’Assas, rue Auguste-Comte or rue de Vaugirard, 6th Tel: (01) 4234 2362. Transport: Métro Odéon; RER Luxembourg. Opening hours: Daily 0715-2130 (Apr-Sep); daily 0800-dusk (Oct-Mar). Admission: Free. Parc des Buttes-Chaumont This appealing park spreads over 23 hectares between Gare du Nord and Belleville. It was originally commissioned by Napoleon III and mixes grandeur with wildlife. Its walkways are alive with the likes of wagtails, tits, gulls, geese and swans. In the lake pike, tench and roach abound. The park is perfect for escaping the city for a while, strolling around its lofty inclines or even popping on some in-line skates and heading around the skate trail. Transport: Métro Buttes Chaumont Opening hours: Daily dawn-dusk. Admission: Free. La Grande Mosquée de Paris (Paris Grand Mosque) Built between 1922 and 1926, close to the Jardin des Plantes, this Hispano-Moorish mosque oversees France’s Muslim community. There is free access and guided tours to the sunken garden and patios. The prayer room, however, remains closed to the non-Muslim public. There is also an authentic hammam (Turkish bath) with masseurs at hand, as well as a wonderful mosaic courtyard complete with fig trees and a fountain – the perfect setting for enjoying a sweet mint tea served in tiny gilded glasses with some honeyed baklava. In the adjoining restaurant, couscous and other Arabic dishes are served. 1 place du Puits-de-l’Ermite (access via 39 rue Géoffroy-St-Hillaire), 5th Tel: (01) 4535 9733. Fax: (01) 4535 1623. Website: www.mosquee-de-paris.org Transport: Métro Place Monge or Censier-Daubenton. Opening hours: Mon, Wed, Thurs and Sat 1000-2100, Fri 1400-2100 (women); Tues 1400-2100, Sun 1000-2100 (men); tours Sat-Thurs 0900-1200 and 1400-1800 (winter), Sat-Thurs 0900-1200 and 1400-2200 (summer); closed Muslim holidays. Admission: ¬3 (guided visit); concessions available; free (tearoom); ¬15 (Turkish baths – massages extra). |