1st Arrondissement: Louvre, Gardens and Theaters

The Musée du Louvre is located in the 1st Arrondissement on the right bank of the Seine. This makes the museum a concrete point of reference when choosing a destination. If you are looking for a hotel in the 1st Arrondissement, you can consider whether art and culture fit your travel plans.

The Louvre and its points of reference

The Louvre is housed in a former royal palace; its collections showcase nearly 10,000 years of art history. The building’s former use and the collections’ long timespan provide two distinct points of reference for a visit: the history of the palace and the development of art over many millennia.

The Pyramid is the Louvre’s main entrance and leads to its three wings, Denon, Sully and Richelieu. Their names provide clear orientation within the museum. For specific visit planning, it is advisable to check the current access conditions, as access rules may change.

Museum history from two perspectives

The Musée de l'Orangerie was built in 1852 under the Second Empire to house the orange trees of the Tuileries Garden during the winter. In 1927, the building was converted into a museum. This change of function, from winter shelter to museum, makes the building’s own history an important point of reference.

The museum permanently displays the collection of art dealer Paul Guillaume, with more than 120 paintings. This brings two distinct cultural perspectives together: at the Louvre, art history spans nearly 10,000 years; at the Orangerie, visitors can also trace the change in the building’s use. The Paul Guillaume collection adds its own distinctive note.

Garden art and walks

The Jardin du Palais-Royal was designed in the 17th century for Cardinal Richelieu in the classical French garden style. The Palais-Royal is open to visitors, and its garden can be enjoyed for free as a place to stroll. Here, a historic design concept is combined with a practical opportunity to experience the garden on foot.

The Palais-Royal’s courtyard is home to Daniel Buren’s black-and-white striped Deux Plateaux, known as the Buren Columns. The garden and courtyard offer different points of interest: the garden’s design reflects the history of the classical French garden style, while the columns are a contemporary work of art.

The Jardin des Tuileries also offers a connection to French garden history: from 1664, André Le Nôtre gave it its present appearance as a French formal garden. The garden invites visitors to stroll and enjoy cultural experiences among statues by Maillol, Rodin and Giacometti. Comparing the two gardens, the Jardin du Palais-Royal foregrounds its 17th-century design for Richelieu; at the Tuileries, Le Nôtre’s work from 1664 onward and the sculptures can be considered as distinct points of reference.

Theater and offerings with changing schedules

Since 1799, the Salle Richelieu has been the historic theater of the Comédie-Française. Each season, it presents about a dozen rotating productions. The seasonal format makes the program a practical point of reference if you would like to plan an evening at the theater; for a specific performance, check the program for the relevant season.

The Conciergerie offers visits and workshops for children aged three to twelve throughout the year. The age range can help you choose a suitable workshop; specific dates and age groups may change. So check the current information before making plans. This makes it possible to factor cultural offerings with clear age and date details into your trip planning.

When choosing a destination, you can first consider which focus matters most to you: the Louvre’s long history of art, the Orangerie’s history and collection, garden design and sculpture, or a changing theater program. These differences provide concrete points of reference for your plans, without requiring you to give equal weight to all your cultural interests.

Discover more destinations: Paris 16, 15th Arrondissement, Paris 8, 6th Arrondissement, 5th Arrondissement, Gobelins, 7th Arrondissement, 9th Arrondissement Paris.

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