Things to Do Near the Louvre Museum
The Louvre is not only the most famous Museum in the world, it is also a strategic place in the center of Paris. Many Paris Landmarks are situated close or very close to the Louvre.
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Jardin des Tuileries (The Louvre gardens)
The Tuileries are the Louvre’s magnificent gardens, going from the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde.
Despite being managed by the Louvre, the Tuileries Gardens free public garden totaly independente from the Louvre Museum’s ticket. You can go there as much as you want when it is open. The opening hours are season-dependent.
7:00 A.M. to 11:00 P.M. in June, July & August.
7:00 A.M. to 9:00 P.M. in April, May and September.
7:30 AM to 7:30 P.M. in January, February, March, October, November & December.
The Tuileries gardens with the Pavillon de Flore (Louvre) in the background. © Broaden Horizons.
Place de la Concorde, at the end of the Tuileries Gardens.
Normally, in July and August, there is a funfair (entry is free, but rides are not) and, in the winter (from mid-November to the beginning of January), a Christmas market.
Easy access to Orsay Museum and Orangerie Museum from the Tuileries Garden.
Crossing the seine from the South of the Gardens is Musée d’Orsay. Our D’Orsay Tour continues the Louvre after 1850
Your art journey can continue with our Musée de l’Orangerie Tour, as the museum is at the end of the Tuileries Garden beside Place de la Concorde.
Traditional summer funfair at Tuileries Garden. © Broaden Horizons.
Rodin The Kiss Jardin des Tuileries – in front of the entry of the Orangerie Museum – Place de la Concorde in the background.
Palais Royal & Place Vendôme
Just north of the Louvre is the Palais Royal, one of the nicest landmarks in Paris. Also, not far from the Louvre, just north of the Tuileries Gardens, is Place Vendôme, one of the world’s most famous and prestigious showcases for luxury goods. Hôtel Ritz is also there.
Palais Royal, just north to the Louvre. © Broaden Horizons.
Place Vendôme Midway between Le Louvre and Place de la Concorde.
Saint-Germain-L’auxerrois, the Church of the Kings of France
Immediately east of the Louvre is the Saint-Germain-L’auxerrois church. This gothic roman catholic church, built from the 12 to the 15th century, is a very special one, indeed, as the Louvre does not have any Chapelle; during centuries (till Louis the XIV left the Louvre for Versailles), it was the church used by the kings of France staying in the Louvre.
You can still see the monumental set of carved wooden seats created in 1684 for Louis XIV and the royal family in the middle of the nave, facing the pulpit.
The church is also famous for its “Marie” bell, which rang on the night of 23 August 1572 to signal the beginning of the St. Bartholomew’s Day massacre. Thousands of Huguenots, who were visiting Paris for the royal wedding between Henry de Navarre (the future Henry IV of France) and Marguerite de Valois, were killed by the city’s mob.
Pont des Arts, Académie Française & Saint-Germain-des-Prés
Just south of the Louvre is Pont des Arts, from which you can have one of the most famous Seine River sceneries with a stunning view of île de la Citée (Pont-Neuf, Conciergerie, Notre-Dame, etc.).
There is a strong link between the Louvre and the Pont des Arts as this bridge was built by order of Napoleon to link his museum (Musée Napoléon, nowadays Louvre Museum) to the Palais des Quatre Nations where he decided to install the French Academies.
The Bridge also links the Louvre directly to the famous Saint-Germain-des-Prés district. Discover this iconic district with our Saint-Germain-des-Prés Tour
Pont des Arts between the Louvre and the Institut de France (académie Française).
Ile de La cité: Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre DAME
If instead of taking Pont des Arts, you go to the next bridge, Pont Neuf (New Bridge in French, but actually this is the oldest bridge in Paris), you reach Iconique île de la Citée.
There you have nothing less than:
- La Conciergerie: the remaining part of Middle Age Palais de la cité; it was also Marie-Antoinette’s last prison.
- La Sainte Chapelle: The gothic wonder commissioned by Saint-Louis in the middle 13th century with its world-famous amazing stained glasses.
- Notre Dame de Paris: The most famous Gothic cathedral in the world.
île de la Citée, Notre Dame
The Louvre Vinicity Also has a great diversified Lunch offer
See our dedicated post: Lunch near the Louvre.
Experience the Louvre with a knowledgeable guide! Book our Louvre 2h or 4h private tours. Better book your Louvre tour as an evening tour to avoid the crowd. Explore our range of Paris private tours to make the most of your visit to the City of Light! Do not miss Yves’s Webpage; he is the broaden-horizons private tour guide in Paris, and his page is full of advice and tour selections.