Carrousel du Louvre, Underground tourist attraction in 1st arrondissement, France
Carrousel du Louvre is an underground shopping complex beneath the Louvre Museum with stores, restaurants, and galleries spread across multiple levels. A glass pyramid inverted from above channels daylight down into the passages, creating a bright and open feeling underground.
The complex was planned during the 1980s and opened in 1993 as part of a major renovation project for the Louvre Museum area. It transformed an unused underground space into a modern retail and cultural destination.
The shopping area serves as a meeting place for visitors who move between stores, cafés, and passages leading to the museum above. You'll notice locals and tourists using it as a shortcut and gathering spot in the heart of the city.
The area is accessible through several entrances, including direct connections to the Metro station and the museum above. Signs and clear layouts make it easy to navigate the different zones and find your way around.
The inverted pyramid is an eye-catching design choice that brings unexpected style to the underground space. Many visitors discover this detail gradually as they explore, rather than immediately noticing it from below.
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