Route ·
The Louvre before you go inside
An outdoor walk through six stops to understand how a fortress became a palace and museum. Look at façades, courtyards, the Pyramid and the Carrousel arch. No collection admission is needed.
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We are going to see the Louvre from the city. The paintings can wait. Begin before the Colonnade, the long columned façade facing the Place du Louvre, on the Saint-Germain-l’Auxerrois church side. Find a place in the pedestrian area where you can see the whole front, without crossing outside permitted places.
The walk goes through the Cour Carrée, reaches the Pyramid’s courtyard and finishes by the Carrousel arch. Courtyards have opening hours and may close for events or security. If the Cour Carrée access is closed, follow the rue de Rivoli pavements to an open exterior entrance towards the Cour Napoléon and resume at that courtyard. Do not try to cross closed doors.