Carrousel du Louvre

Carrousel du Louvre. An underground shopping and exhibition complex situated beneath the famed courtyard of the Musée du Louvre in Paris. Inaugurated in 1993 as part of the broader **Grand Louvre** renovation project spearheaded by President François Mitterrand, it serves as a major public entrance to the museum and a vibrant hub of commerce and culture. The space seamlessly integrates retail, dining, and artistic presentation, directly connecting visitors to the museum's collections and the iconic Pyramide du Louvre.

History

The development was conceived during the ambitious **Grand Louvre** project, which aimed to expand and modernize the historic palace. Under the direction of President François Mitterrand, architect I. M. Pei was commissioned to redesign the museum's infrastructure, leading to the creation of the central courtyard's glass pyramid. The excavation for the **Pyramide du Louvre** revealed an opportunity to create a vast underground annex, which was realized as a collaborative effort. Its opening coincided with the completion of Pei's main pyramid and the reorganization of the museum's departments, including those dedicated to Ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia. The project also involved significant archaeological work prior to construction, overseen by the Institut national de recherches archéologiques préventives.

Architecture and design

Designed by a team including I. M. Pei and Michel Macary, the architecture is characterized by its modernist aesthetic and extensive use of natural light. The central space is dominated by the **Pyramide Inversée** (Inverted Pyramid), a striking glass skylight that acts as a focal point. The layout facilitates a smooth flow of visitors from the metro station Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre directly into the commercial concourse and onward to the museum's ticket halls. Materials such as pale stone, glass, and metal create a clean, spacious environment that contrasts with the classical architecture of the Louvre Palace above. The design carefully incorporates remnants of the original Charles V's medieval fortress walls, which were uncovered during excavations.

Commercial and cultural significance

Functioning as more than a mall, it is an integral component of the **Musée du Louvre**'s visitor experience, offering amenities that reduce congestion in the main museum spaces. It hosts a diverse array of retailers, from luxury brands like Apple and Sephora to unique boutiques specializing in art books and replicas of works from the museum's collection, such as those from the Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities. The venue also includes the **Espace Richaud**, an exhibition hall that stages temporary shows, and has been used for major events like the **Paris Fashion Week**. Its restaurants and cafes serve thousands of tourists daily, making it a critical economic engine within the 1st arrondissement of Paris.

Location and access

It is centrally located in the **1st arrondissement of Paris**, directly beneath the **Cour Napoléon** of the **Louvre Palace**. Primary access is via the **Pyramide du Louvre** or from the underground corridor connected to the **Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre** metro station, served by Line 1 and Line 7. Pedestrian access is also available from the **Rue de Rivoli**, and the nearby **Jardin des Tuileries** and **Place de la Concorde** are within easy walking distance. The complex is a key node in the network of underground passages in central Paris, improving pedestrian flow between major sites like the Comédie-Française and the Musée des Arts Décoratifs.

Notable features and attractions

The most iconic feature is the **Pyramide Inversée**, a large inverted glass pyramid designed by I. M. Pei that hangs over a smaller upright pyramid in a water feature below. The **Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel**, a monumental arch built during the reign of Napoleon, stands just outside the western entrance, providing a historic vista. Within the mall, visitors find a fragment of the original **Louvre Moat** from the medieval fortress, preserved *in situ*. The **Espace Richaud** regularly hosts art and historical exhibitions, while a statue of Louis XIV on horseback marks one of the main thoroughfares. The space also contains a large **FNAC** store and provides direct escalator access to the **Denon Wing** of the **Musée du Louvre**, home to masterpieces like the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Category:Shopping malls in Paris Category:Buildings and structures in the 1st arrondissement of Paris Category:Tourist attractions in Paris