Porte des Lions — Attraction in Paris

The Porte des Lions, or Lions Gate, is one of the entrances to the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It is located on the south side of the museum, near the Seine River. The gate is named after the four lion sculptures that flank its sides.

The Porte des Lions is a lesser-known entrance compared to the iconic glass pyramid entrance. It is often used for special events, guided tours, and group access. The gate provides a more secluded and peaceful entry point to the museum, away from the bustling crowds of the main entrance.

The lion sculptures that give the gate its name were created by the French sculptor Antoine-Louis Barye in the 19th century. The lions are positioned in a crouching position, with their mouths open and paws extended. They serve as symbolic guardians of the museum, welcoming visitors and adding a touch of grandeur to the entrance.

The Porte des Lions is a popular spot for taking photos, as visitors can capture both the lions and the beautiful architecture of the Louvre Museum in the background. It offers a unique perspective and a quieter atmosphere compared to the more crowded areas of the museum.

Visitors can access the Porte des Lions by crossing the Pont des Arts or the Pont du Carrousel, both of which provide picturesque views of the Seine River and the surrounding area. It is a convenient entrance for those coming from the Left Bank or from the nearby Tuileries Gardens.

Whether you enter through the Porte des Lions or the main pyramid entrance, the Louvre Museum offers a wealth of art and history to explore. From its vast collection of masterpieces, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, to its stunning architecture, the Louvre is a must-visit destination for art lovers and history...

Sharing my experience because it was PERFECT. Visited Wednesday April 3rd, 2024.

My family and I purchased tickets to the Louvre in advance for 9 am. We intended to arrive at this entrance early, but got there at 8:58. There was a short line already, maybe 20 people. The line grew as we waited, but not nearly as long as the main entrance by the pyramid. This entrance opened a few minutes after 9 and the line moved swiftly. Once the doors opened we were through security and had our tickets checked in about 5 minutes.

This entrance is also quite close to and uncomplicated Mona Lisa, if you would like to see her first.

One thing to mention is that this entrance is available from the courtyard side, rather than the street side, as the large gate was locked shut.

I was skeptical if this "secret entrance" was really so secret, but I couldn't have asked for a...

This is one of the three locations to enter Louvre museum. If you have the tickets purchased in advance, this probably is the best entrance so you don’t need to wait in the line like entering from the pyramid entrance. Our tickets were 9:30am and we got there 9ish. The gate on the street was not open so we went in through the park (courtyard) side. At 9:20am there were no people waiting there. It was so fast and easy. However the audio is only available at the pyramid entrance so we had to walk through the museum exhibition to get there. It’s early morning and there were less people. We were able to see some master pieces, like Mona...