Inverted Pyramid of the Louvre, Paris © French Moments
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Last Updated: 8 February 2022

You may have thought that the Louvre Palace in Paris had only one glass pyramid. But an inverted pyramid, you must be joking! Of course, I am talking about the one that stands at the centre of the Cour Napoléon, serving as a main entrance to the prestigious museum. Until the release of The Da Vinci Code bestseller, not many visitors knew of the existence of a second similar structure: the inverted pyramid of the Louvre. Let me show you where it stands…

 

The Inverted Pyramid of the Louvre in Paris

The upside-down pyramid cannot be seen from outside as it is bordered by hedges marking the centre of a roundabout of Place du Carrousel. To see it in all its glory, you need to find your way underground!

Historical Axis Paris © French Moments
The inverted pyramid is situated at the centre of the roundabout between the upright pyramid and the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel © French Moments

Go down the stairs near the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and follow the main underground shopping arcade.

Carrousel Shopping Mall Paris © French Moments
The stairs leading to the underground Carrousel shopping mall © French Moments

You will reach the inverted pyramid that is placed in a vast hall.

The pyramid was designed as a well of light by the Chinese-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei (who also designed the great pyramid of the Louvre – the upright one!)

Inverted Pyramid of the Louvre, Paris © French Moments
The upside-down Pyramid of the Louvre, Paris © French Moments

The crystalline pyramid weighs 30 tonnes. Its tip is suspended 1.4 metres above floor level. A small stone pyramid measuring 1 metre was placed just below and seems to touch the tip of the inverted pyramid.

Inverted Pyramid of the Louvre, Paris © French Moments
The small stone pyramid reaching out to the tip of the suspended Pyramid, Louvre, Paris © French Moments

The inverted pyramid of the Louvre is featured in The Da Vinci Code bestseller by Dan Brown. The author set up Mary Magdalene’s tomb in a hidden chamber situated under the small stone pyramid. Of course, this is pure fiction!

 

Where to find the Inverted Pyramid of the Louvre?

The upside-down pyramid is situated at the centre of the Place du Carrousel and is not visible from street level.
Access to the underground shopping mall by the stairs situated North and South of the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel.

Closest métro station: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7). 

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Where to find the inverted pyramid in Paris © French Moments

Where to find the inverted pyramid in Paris © French Moments

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

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