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Luxembourg Palace facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Veüe du Palais d'Orléans appelé Luxembourg - Hustin 1904 p8
The building while home of Gaston, Duke of Orléans.
Luxembourg palace panorama
Panorama of the gardens.

The Luxembourg Palace (known in French as the Palais du Luxembourg) is a former royal palace in Paris, France. Since 1958 it has been the seat of the French Senate of the Fifth Republic.

Brief history

The palace was originally built in 1612 by Marie de' Medici on lands she owned. The design was based on buildings from her native Florence. The building is often compared to the far larger Palazzo Pitti where Queen Marie was born in 1575. In 1642, Marie left the Luxembourg to her second and favourite son, Gaston, Duke of Orléans. He called it the Palais d'Orléans but it was still known by its original name. Upon Gaston's death, the palace passed to his widow, Marguerite of Lorraine. Then it passed to his elder daughter by his first marriage, La Grande Mademoiselle.

In 1660, Anne de Montpensier sold the Luxembourg to her younger half-sister, Élisabeth Marguerite d'Orléans, Duchess of Guise. The Duchess, in turn, gave it to her cousin, king Louis XIV, in 1694. In 1717 Philippe, Duke of Orléans, Regent of France gave the palace to his favourite daughter the Duchess of Berry. The building became infamous for the duchess's parties. She also hosted Peter the great there in 1717.

Sometime after the French Revolution it became a prison. During World War II it was a headquarters for the Luftwaffe.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Palacio del Luxemburgo para niños

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