The underground passages of the Carrousel du Louvre: A mysterious network

Under the Carrousel du Louvre , a network of ancient underground passages, now disused, once served military purposes. These tunnels were part of the fortifications and strategic infrastructure used to defend the royal palace. Today, they are no longer accessible to the public, but these underground passages remain a subject of fascination for historians and mystery lovers.

These tunnels reinforce the idea that beneath the Louvre lies an invisible world, witness to past eras.

Discover contemporary works inspired by these underground mysteries in our online art gallery .

The Carrousel du Louvre underground passages are a fascinating and little-known part of the vast complex surrounding the famous museum. Located beneath the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel , these underground passages connect several areas around the Louvre, and they are full of history and curiosities.

A modern network:

• These underground passages were developed as part of the Louvre's modernization project in the 1980s, with the construction of the pyramid and the large underground courtyard called the Carrousel du Louvre .
• The Carrousel du Louvre , located beneath the esplanade, houses a vast shopping mall and exhibition spaces. These underground passages are an integral part of the flow of visitors between the different sections of the museum and its surroundings.

A strategic point:

• These underground passages connect the museum to the outside and to other spaces such as the Tuileries Garden , the inverted pyramid , and the commercial passages of the Carrousel.
• Thanks to this network, visitors can enter the Louvre directly from the Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre metro station, passing through impressive, illuminated underground galleries.

Modern architecture mixed with history:

• Unlike the medieval underground passages of the Louvre, which reveal the remains of Philippe Auguste's fortress, the underground passages of the Carrousel are a perfect example of the integration of contemporary architecture into a historic site.
• Beneath the stone slabs, visitors can admire bright and airy spaces, where modern boutiques and historical elements such as fragments of statues and architectural models of the Louvre rub shoulders.

A lively place of passage:

• The Carrousel underground passages are a must-see crossroads for the Louvre’s millions of visitors. The boutiques, restaurants and temporary exhibitions bring a modern dynamism to this historic site.

A link between the past and the present:

• The Carrousel du Louvre is also a symbolic bridge between the historic Louvre and the modern Louvre, elegantly connecting the eras. The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel , erected by Napoleon to celebrate his victories, dominates this underground entrance, adding a layer of historical symbolism to this space.

The underground passages of the Carrousel du Louvre are an example of the alliance between history, modern architecture and cultural effervescence that characterizes this emblematic place in Paris.