Best Things to do Around the Louvre


 

A visit to the Louvre has become standard practice for just about every traveler to Paris. The Louvre is the largest museum in the world, with a history that dates back to the 1100s.

Situated in the 1st arrondissement, the Louvre is the heart of Paris. There are many things to do in and around the museum worth an hour or two of your time — read on!

Walk the Tuileries Gardens

The Louvre shares a vast piece of land with the Tuileries Gardens. These manicured grounds date back to the 17th century, and they are littered with ponds, statues and curated pathways.

The Tuileries are a hotspot in the summer when Parisians like to soak up the sun but have no beach on which to do so. You’ll find sunbathing and picnicking a plenty in this park.

Tuileries Gardens – by Dinkum – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Monday to Sunday — 7am to 9pm
ADDRESS: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France
Metro STATION: Concorde

Visit the Orangerie Museum

In addition to beautiful landscaping, the Tuileries holds a musuem of its own.

The Orangerie is nowhere as big as the Louvre, but it’s an important house for historic artworks; most famously, the home to 8 of Monet’s Water Lilies.

If you’re a Monet, Matisse or Picasso lover, then you’ll very much enjoy this intimate museum buried in the Tuileries. As far as museums in Paris go, entry into the Orangerie is one of the lowest in the city at under €10 per person.

Orangerie Museum – by Paris 16 – Wikimedia Commons

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Wednesday to Monday — 9am to 6pm
ADDRESS: Jardin Tuileries, 75001 Paris, France
Metro STATION: Concorde

See the Place de la Concorde

The Place de la Concorde is one of Paris’ most important public squares. If anything political happens in the city, this is where the people go.

Throughout the year there will always be events and activities taking place in the square. Most famously, the Place de la Concorde holds the big ferris wheel during the winter months.

In the center of the Place de la Concorde sits the Luxor Obelisk; an ancient Egyptian granite obelisk inscribed with ornate etchings.

Place de la Concorde – by Tangopaso – Wikimedia Commons

Explore les Halles

Les Halles is the district just outside of the Louvre Museum. It’s a great part of town for one to get their first “taste of Paris” in, as the architecture is mostly original Haussmann and the streets are lined with traditional French bistros.

What really brings people to les Halles, is the shopping. This neighborhood is home to the Rue de Rivoli, a famous retail strip offering high fashion and international brands. Those in the market for furniture can explore the Maisons du Monde; a grand furniture warehouse in which most people lose their entire day.

Les Halles – by Pavel Krok – Wikimedia Commons

Watch a Show at La Comédie Française

The Louvre district has some impressive history. From museums to theatre houses, this is very much an arts driven neighborhood.

La Comédie Française is one of the last few state theaters in all of France. It was founded back in 1680, making it the oldest still active theatre company on the planet.

La Comédie Française – by Jebulon – Wikimedia Commons

It is also the only state theatre in France to have a permanent troupe of actors who work on and appear in all shows in the space.

I highly recommend a visit for anyone who appreciates the theatrical arts and would like to experience them while in Paris. Tickets are easy to book online or at the box-office on the day of the show.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Daily
ADDRESS: 1 Place Colette, 75001 Paris, France
Metro STATION: Palais Royal Musée du Louvre

Visit the Orsay Museum

As I said, this is an art driven district, and even crossing over the Seine won’t get you away from it.

As you cross the Pont Royal bridge from the Louvre onto the Left Bank, you’ll come to find the Orsay Museum right there against the water.

This museum mainly showcases works from between 1848 to 1914. Most of the works were made by French artists and have been careful preserved over the decades. Come and see the works of Manet, Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and more.

The real kicker is the building in which the museum is found. The Orsay Museum is housed inside and old railway station, that resembles something out of a children’s fantasy novel. It’s an incredible space to walk through, particularly the grand foyer.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Opening Hours: Tuesday to Saturday — 9:30am to 6pm
ADDRESS: 1 Rue de la Légion d’Honneur, 75007 Paris, France
Metro STATION: Rue du Bac

Walk Down the Seine

The Louvre Museum sits on the edge of the Seine on the city’s Right Bank.

This section of the water is always immaculate, thanks to the 1st arrondissement being the tourist attraction that it is. It’s fit for a stroll no matter the season.

Head west, and you’ll eventually come to the 8th arrondissement and the Eiffel Tower. Head east, and the Seine will take you directly into le Marais, another trendy and vibrant neighborhood worth exploring in Paris.

Seine – by Dennis Jarvis – Wikimedia Commons

Have Lunch in the Louvre District

The “Parisian experience” is something people travel to the city to encounter. They want to eat, drink, talk, walk like Parisian locals, and get up close & personal with the culture of the French capital.

The 1st arrondissement is an important facilitator to these experiences. The bistros that surround the Louvre aim to give travelers the most authentic Parisian dining experience possible, and lunch/dinner in this area is something worth investing in.

The 1st arrondissement is never cheap; you’ll pay a pretty price to eat the escargots, frog legs and steak tartare — but it’s worth it.

Paris – by Hermann Luyken – Wikimedia Commons

Take a Free Guided Walking Tour

The best way to see all that surrounds the Louvre is to explore the district on foot.

If you’re not one for self-guiding, there are daily free guided walking tours through the 1st arrondissement that will show you everything that this district has to offer. Pre-booking is necessary as these tours regularly sell out.