You have undoubtedly seen the photos of the incredibly long lines stretching outside the Louvre Pyramid. Tourists often stand in the rain for hours while waiting for security. However, you do not have to be one of them. There is a Louvre secret entrance that locals and smart travelers use to save time. It is officially called the Carrousel du Louvre entrance.
While it is not actually a secret, it is much less obvious than the giant glass structure in the center of the courtyard. Using this specific route can save you valuable energy and keep you completely dry during bad weather.
Where to Find the Louvre Secret Entrance
This entrance is located underground and away from the main courtyard. You can reach this Louvre secret entrance in three different ways depending on your starting point.
- From the Metro: Take Line 1 or Line 7 to the station “Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre.” You should look for the exit marked “Carrousel du Louvre” because it leads you through a corridor directly into the shopping mall.
- From the Street: The entrance is located at 99 Rue de Rivoli. You should look for the red awnings and the sign for the Carrousel du Louvre before taking the escalators down.
- From the Garden: There are also staircases leading down from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel located in the Tuileries Garden.
Navigating the Security Check
Once you are inside the shopping mall, simply follow the signs for the museum. You will walk toward the famous Inverted Pyramid until you see a security checkpoint. This checkpoint is exactly the same as the one located upstairs at the glass Pyramid.
The primary advantage of the Louvre secret entrance is that the lines are often much shorter. Furthermore, the space is indoors and air-conditioned. While some people claim there is never a line, that is unfortunately a myth. During the peak summer season, a queue will still form. However, waiting indoors near a cafe is much more pleasant than waiting outdoors in a heatwave.
Who Should Use This Entrance?
The Louvre secret entrance is particularly helpful for specific groups of travelers. For example, wheelchair users should use this route because there are elevators from the street and direct access from the parking garage.
Families with strollers will also find the flat surfaces and elevators much easier to navigate than the gravel of the main courtyard. Finally, this is the only way to enter the museum on a rainy day without getting wet. After you pass through security, you will enter the Hall Napoléon. This is the same main lobby that everyone else reaches, so you are perfectly positioned to start your visit.
A Landmark Meeting Point
Before you head underground, you should take a moment to look at the arch outside. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel was built by Napoleon to celebrate his victories. Because it sits right above the Louvre secret entrance, it serves as a beautiful and easy landmark to set as a meeting point for your group.
Summary for Your Visit
Next time you visit the museum, you should ignore the massive crowd at the Pyramid. Instead, head to 99 Rue de Rivoli and go down the escalator. You will start your visit feeling like a true Parisian insider.
