Shuttle from rue du Louvre to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports

The Historic Significance and Visiting Rue du Louvre in Paris

Rue du Louvre, an iconic street nestled in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements of Paris, spans a length of 700 meters and a width of 20 meters. Its name stems from its close proximity to the world-renowned Louvre Museum. This historic thoroughfare, originating from the Place du Louvre and culminating at Montmartre street, was established in the year 1853.

The southern side of Rue du Louvre traces the path of the former Rue du Petit Bourbon, while the stretch between Place du Louvre and Rue Saint-Honoree used to be known as the Street of Pulleys. Both these ancient roads have been part of Parisian history since the early 13th century. Over the years, Rue du Louvre incorporated the street formerly known as Rue de Nesle, now Rue d’Orléans, in 1888. It also replaced the erstwhile Mercier Street.

Historically, grand hotels dotted the landscape along Rue du Petit Bourbon and the Street of Pulleys. Many of these were demolished to make way for the Louvre. One of these was the Petit Bourbon Hotel, built in 1370 for the Count of Clermont. This establishment was completely removed in 1758, with the current garden taking its place. The Longueville Hotel, constructed by St. Louis’ brother and later expanded by Enguerrand de Marigny, was also demolished in 1758. The Garancière Hotel met a similar fate in 1761, making room for the Rue de Rivoli.

Rue du Louvre today hosts a variety of unique places of interest. The central post office of the Louvre and the Paris Soir newspaper have their premises on this street. A vestige of a tower of Philip Augustus and the former Hotel Olonne can still be observed, preserving the historic charm of the street.