melissa19

hello,

has anyone used this entrance to the louvre recently? i've seen it mentioned in other threads and my guidebooks, but the "recommended" entrances seem to be via the metro or the Carrousel. we are coming from st. germain and want to concentrate our visit in the denon wing. just wanted to make sure this entrance is still in operation.

we plan to go on a weds. evening. should i buy tix ahead of time on the louvre site?

thanks!

Travelnut

I think the website also lists the entrances - check there. Or just go there - if it's closed for some reason, go down the nearer entrance under Carrousel (there are 2 of them)...

melissa19

thanks, travelnut.

i know the entrance exists, just thought it odd that no one mentions actually using it . . .

Travelnut

I think it's supposed to be a secret...:-"

111op

This Telegraph article mentions the entrance:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/ma...6/etlouvre.xml

Dated May 3, 2003 (presumably the European way -- 03/05/2003).

I quote:

Getting in
• During busy periods, avoid the long queues at the Pyramid entrance in the main courtyard by going in through the Porte des Lions, at the far south-eastern wing of the Museum near the river. This is normally very quiet (though it is closed on Fridays). Arrive first thing and you'll have the best chance to see the Mona Lisa free of crowds (while she is in the temporary location of Room 13, 1st floor, Denon, this is the nearest point of entry to her gallery). The drawback is that it's a bit of a hike to other parts of the museum.

But Mona Lisa has moved. Still I think that this will get you to the Italian School in Denon quickly, if that's what you want to see.

melissa19

ah, it is a secret entrance! hoping it's not closed on weds. nights.

111op, the louvre website still shows mona in the denon wing. is that wrong? i'm enjoying reading about your recent trip to italy.

111op

The Louvre website should indicate when the entrance is open (I checked the website for it, at one point) -- as Travelnut points out.

I've never used it.

Pretty sure that Mona Lisa is still in the Denon Wing, but it has a separate room now. I've not been to the Louvre since January of this year, so I've not seen the new room (painting moved in April, I think).

Glad to hear that you like the report.

My own Louvre report is here (from January of this year):

http://makeashorterlink.com/?J2DA222AA

If you look under entries from July of this year on the blog, you can find another report for Paris (no Louvre).

Enjoy your own trip to Paris!

111op

By the way, pretty sure that the Louvre website will give you the most accurate info.

melissa19

duh! "opening hours" does in fact have the info i need. the porte des lions entrance seems to be only open until 5:30pm regardless (and closed friday).

on to plan b . . .

thanks!

111op

Oh well. But maybe it won't be so crowded then.

Don't you get reduced admission after 5 for the Louvre or something? I seem to remember reading something to this effect.

Christina

I think that is sort of folklore about secret entrances with no lines. I've gone in that entrance and the line was a little shorter than the main one, and other times, it was just as long. Actually, since they have installed the automatic ticket machines, I don't find any big problem with lines at the Louvre, in any case. I've never had a long line there in the evening, anyway, that's never a busy time to go so there is no need to worry about special entrances.

111op

In my (limited) experience, I think that the Carrousel is quicker than the main entrance. It's such a well-known trick, written up everywhere, that I sometimes wonder if people actually read guidebooks.

I think the Porte des Lions entrance must be even less known.

Perhaps you just picked busy days for the Louvre, Christina.