Other Attractions
|
Jardins de Luxembourg
These gardens, part formal, part jardin à l'anglaise, were created for Marie de Médicis, Henry IV's widow, along with the Palais de Luxembourg (which now houses the French Senate). Now they are a favoured spot for a Sunday stroll, game of tennis, chess or boules, pony ride or yacht trip on the lake.
place Auguste-Comte, place Edmond-Rostand or rue de Vaugirard, 6th
Transport: Métro Odéon; RER Luxembourg.
Opening hours: Dawn to dusk.
Admission: Free.
Bois de Vincennes
Napoléon III transformed the royal forest of Valois into a park complete with lake and cascades in 1860, with the help of Haussmann's landscape artist Alphand. The Bois de Vincennes is now Paris' largest park, ideal for cycling and boating and is also the home of the city's main zoo. The park is situated next to the impressive Château de Vincennes, where Henry V died in 1422.
Bois de Vincennes, 12th
Transport: Métro Porte-Dorée or Château de Vincennes.
Opening hours: Dawn to dusk.
Admission: Free.
La Mosquée de Paris
Built between 1922-6 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 sweet mint tea served in tiny gilded glasses and 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 or 4331 3820 (tea room) or 4331 1814 (Turkish baths).
Transport: Métro Censier-Daubenton or Place Monge.
Opening hours: Women: Mon, Wed-Sat 1000-2100; Fri 1400-2100. Men: Tues 1400-2100, Sun 1000-2100. Tours: 0900-1200 and Mon-Thu, Sat-Sun 1400-1800; closed Muslim holidays.
Admission: FFr15 (concessions available); tea room free; Turkish baths FFr85 (massages extra).
|
