Du Louvre à la Concorde

A hike in the region Ile-de-France

This urban stroll will make you discover the architecture of one of the most beautiful museums in the world, the Louvre. Very beautiful views on the pyramid and on the esplanade will meet your eyes. You will walk under the triumphal arch of Carrousel up to reach the garden of Tuileries. After enjoying this little green area in the midst of the city, you will arrive at the end of the stroll, Place de la Concorde.

You can get back to the starting point by metro (line 1 towards Châteaux de Vincennes, stop at the station Louvre).

Information

General points

• Geographic situation. District : Paris 1er (department Paris)
                                     Road map with
• Starting point : Metro station Louvre (line 1 - Château de Vincennes - La Défense).
• The length of the stroll is estimated at 2,2 Km and the walk duration is about 1 h 30 mn.
• The stroll is not marked out or only partially
• Stroll form : linear
  Remark about linear strolls : the duration of walk and the road-book are presented for one-way direction. Distance and time should be doubled when one goes and back.
• Stroll relief : flat (alt. mini = 30 m ; alt. maxi = 35 m)
• Exposure : open (a sun protection might be foreseen)

Noteworthy places

Le Louvre. The very first construction of Louvre goes back up to the XIIth century. It was reshaped under the king François the First. It had been the palace in which kings have lived until Versaille was built by Louis XIV. The French Revolution turned it into a museum (1793). It got its definitive shape during the Second Empire. An important renovation was decided in the beginning of 1980s: this was the building of the Pyramid and the improvement of adjacent gardens. It is one of the biggest and of the most beautiful museums in the world.
For further information, consult the Web site: http://www.louvre.fr.

Eglise Saint-Germain de l'Auxerrois. This Gothic church was built in the end of the Middle Age and was restored by architects Hittorff and Ballu in the XIXth century. Its facade was rebuilt to be in accordance with the facade of the city hall of Paris 1st district, situated just nearby. Architecture of the porch and bell tower is noteworthy.

Pont des Arts. This bridge was built in cast iron at the beginning of the XIXth century, in order to connect the yard of Louvre with the Institut de France. Its name refers to Palais des Arts (Palace of the Arts), which was the former name of Louvre. In 1970, a barge struck the bridge, and it was rebuilt identically in steel.

Institut de France. This building, which goes back to Mazarin (XVIIth century), became the Institute of France during the Consulate. It is the seat of five academies: Académie Française (French Literature), Académie des Inscriptions et Belles-Lettres (History), Académie des Sciences (Natural Sciences), Académie des Beaux-Arts (all artistic subjects), Académie des Sciences Morales et Politiques (Philosophy, Sociology, Politics, Law).

Arc du Carrousel du Louvre. This arch was built at the beginning of the XIXth century, according to the design of a Roman triumphal arch. It was set up to celebrate Napoleon's victories.

Jardin des Tuileries. The garden of Tuilerie is the oldest and widest in Paris. When kings of France were in Louvre, it was a place for royal walks. Jean Le Nôtre, gardener of Louis XIII, gave it its definitive form. You can see there several sculptures, the famous "Salle du Jeu de Pomme", and the Orangery.

Place de la Concorde. This place was built by J.A. Gabriel, architect, in 1763, on the order of Louis XV. During the French Revolution, it was used for trials and public executions. Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, and Robespierre were beheaded there. At the beginning of the XIXth century, Louis-Philippe wanted to erase this tragic period and he ordered this place to be adorned with statues, fountains, and the obelisk which had been brought from the temple of Luxor in Egypt (XIIIth century BC). Statues were be called after the names of eight big cities in France. The fountains on each side of the obelisk represent inland and maritime navigation. At the beginning of Champs-Elysées, two Carrara marble statues represent the Marly Horses.