Portes du Louvre

The Cour Carrée, one of the main courtyards at the Louvre, is often overlooked, as most visitors flock to the Pyramid. It's usually quieter and late one afternoon after walking all day, I wandered in, sat on a bench and just soaked in all the exquisite details at my leisure. I stayed until the sun set.

Portes de Paris V

 Cour Carrée, Musée du Louvre

Details

I am convinced that I could spend an entire day in the Cour Carrée at the Louvre and find enough exquisite details to shoot. I will admit to walking THROUGH this quiet place many times on my way to and from the more famous courtyard with I.M. Pet's pyramids. This last trip as it was getting dark, I wandered in alone and was there in this beautiful space with only a few others. I sat on a bench and took it all in. I'll share more images at another time. This courtyard on the eastern side is a quiet getaway from all the tourist madness just a few yards away. Try it.

Fermature

The Monday after the attacks in Paris, I walked through the Louvre's Cour Carrée as it was closing. I loved the warm lights from within, against the gray façade.

Cour Carrée du Louvre

I bought a lovely little book years ago titled Quiet Corners Of Paris. Organized by arrondissement, it features often overlooked places in Paris that you can seek out free of charge. The Cour Carrée is the first one listed. It mentions that the idea of a QUIET place in one of the most visited places in Paris might seem unusual, but it's true. Most visitors enter via the Cour Carrousel side and it's teeming with visitors almost any time of the year. This "square courtyard" is best entered from the side of St. Germain-l'Suxerrois on rue de l'Armiral-de-Coligny. The architecture is of course spectacular and next trip, I might find a spot to sit and just enjoy being away from the hustle and bustle.

Cour Carrée - le Louvre

This photograph was taken from an upstairs window at le Louvre. It started to lightly snow soon after but those photos weren't what I had hoped! I like this view of the renovated Cour Carrée. I don't think most tourists use this entrance, instead they enter on the other side near la Pyramide. I think the people scattered about adds a little something to this typical tourist shot. Well I hope it does anyway!

Joyeux Anniversaire to my dear reader Harriet !!