🖼️ Things to do around the Louvre Paris: fun and cultural activities
- frompariswithfun
- 2 days ago
- 5 min read
The Louvre may be the most visited museum in the world, but its neighborhood offers far more than a glimpse of the Mona Lisa. The surrounding area is a cultural goldmine — packed with monuments, covered passages, elegant shops, and charming cafés. Whether you’re visiting Paris in winter or summer, this district is one of the best to explore on foot.
👉 Looking for ideas to complete your Louvre visit? Here’s a selection of unique things to do around the Louvre Paris, perfect for families, friends, couples, or anyone eager to experience the city differently.
1) Treasure Hunts and Puzzle Walks: Fun and Cultural 🕵️♀️ things to do around the Louvre
Exploring Paris through a game is one of the most original and engaging ways to discover the city. With From Paris With Fun, sightseeing becomes an adventure filled with riddles, clues, and surprising stories.
👉 Three must-try itineraries:
Start your journey in front of the majestic Panthéon, a monument honoring France’s greatest thinkers, and finish at the gates of the Louvre — the world’s most famous museum. Along the way, you’ll stroll through the Latin Quarter, cross the Île de la Cité, and uncover secrets near the Palais Royal. Each clue brings history to life while keeping the experience interactive and playful.
A must-try route if you want to follow the river and see the city’s most iconic monuments. Beginning at the Louvre and ending near the Eiffel Tower, this walk takes you past the Musée d’Orsay, Pont Alexandre III, and the Grand Palais — all while solving riddles and uncovering hidden stories along the Seine. It’s an ideal choice for families and couples who want to enjoy the views while turning sightseeing into a fun challenge.
If you prefer staying sheltered (especially in winter), the covered passages offer a cozy and historical alternative. This puzzle game leads you through Passage Verdeau, Passage Jouffroy, and Passage des Panoramas — a 19th-century labyrinth of glass roofs, mosaic floors, and curious boutiques.🎯 The adventure ends in the elegant Palais Royal Gardens, literally in front of the Louvre. It’s the perfect conclusion to a journey that blends mystery, architecture, and Parisian charm.
💡 Each of these treasure hunts turns a simple walk into a memorable cultural adventure — ideal for families, couples, or groups of friends eager to mix curiosity, culture, and fun.
2) La Samaritaine: Shopping and Architecture 🛍️
After 15 years of renovation, La Samaritaine has reclaimed its place as one of the Right Bank’s crown jewels.
👉 Why visit?
To admire its Art Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, beautifully restored with modern touches.
To explore its luxury boutiques and designer corners, from fashion to home décor.
To enjoy a coffee or meal with a stunning view of the Seine from its rooftop terrace.
💡 Even if you’re not planning to shop, take a walk inside just for the aesthetics. The frescoes, ironwork, glass ceilings, and monumental staircases make the building a true Parisian icon.
3) Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli: Accessible Shopping for All 🛍️
If La Samaritaine caters to luxury lovers, Les Halles and Rue de Rivoli offer a livelier, more affordable side of Parisian shopping.
Here’s what you’ll find:
Popular international brands like Zara, H&M, and Uniqlo — perfect for teens and families.
A mix of cafés, restaurants, and bakeries for a quick bite or afternoon treat.
A vibrant local atmosphere, where Parisians and travelers mingle between shopping bags and espresso cups.
🎯 It’s the perfect spot for a shopping break before or after your Louvre visit — central, convenient, and full of energy.
4) Pinault Collection – Bourse de Commerce: Contemporary Art in the City Center 🎨
Just a 10-minute walk from the Louvre, the Bourse de Commerce now houses the Pinault Collection, one of the world’s most prestigious private contemporary art collections.
👉 What to expect:
Rotating temporary exhibitions featuring major international artists.
Monumental installations displayed under the impressive circular dome.
A stunning renovation by architect Tadao Ando, blending modern minimalism with 18th-century heritage.
💡 The contrast between the Bourse de Commerce and the Louvre is striking — classical versus contemporary, history versus innovation. Seeing both gives you a complete picture of Paris’s artistic soul.
5) Musée d’Orsay, Musée de l’Orangerie & Jeu de Paume: The Cultural Triangle 🎭
Art lovers will find paradise around the Louvre. Within walking distance, three exceptional museums complement the experience perfectly:
Musée d’Orsay: housed in a former Beaux-Arts train station, it boasts the world’s largest collection of Impressionist masterpieces — Monet, Renoir, Degas, Van Gogh, and more.
Musée de l’Orangerie: home to Monet’s Water Lilies, displayed in oval rooms designed to envelop visitors in light and color.
Jeu de Paume: a temple of photography and contemporary art, often hosting daring exhibitions that push artistic boundaries.
🎯 Together, they offer a fascinating artistic journey — from classical to modern, all within a 15-minute walk.
6) 59 Rivoli Gallery: Living and Accessible Art 🎨
If you want a dose of creativity far from the grand museum halls, visit 59 Rivoli Gallery. Once an artists’ squat, this colorful building has become a beloved hub of contemporary creation.
👉 Why it’s unique:
Artists work on-site, and you can chat with them as they paint, sculpt, or sketch.
The atmosphere is vibrant and unpretentious, full of color, music, and imagination.
Entry is free, making it an ideal stop for curious travelers or art students.
💡 It’s living proof that art in Paris isn’t just in museums — it’s on the walls, in the studios, and in the streets.
7) Take a Cultural Break at Palais Royal 🌿
Between the Louvre and the Opéra, the Palais Royal is one of the most elegant corners of Paris. Its symmetrical gardens, lined with chestnut trees and chic arcades, offer a quiet retreat from the city buzz.
Take a moment to admire Daniel Buren’s black-and-white striped columns, now a symbol of modern Parisian art. Around the arcades, you’ll find independent shops, antique bookstores, and intimate cafés — perfect for a mid-day pause.
Around the Louvre, there’s so much more than the Mona Lisa and the museum galleries. You can easily spend a whole day here — or two — mixing art, history, shopping, and play.
From a treasure hunt between the Panthéon and the Louvre, to shopping at La Samaritaine, exploring contemporary art at the Bourse de Commerce, or chatting with artists at 59 Rivoli, this neighborhood captures everything that makes Paris timeless.
👉 Looking for a playful twist to your visit?Book your Panthéon-to-Louvre treasure hunt and turn your sightseeing into an adventure — cultural, mysterious, and unforgettable.
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