A Lucky Moment at the Louvre: Stunning Views and Important Visitor Updates
As I was leaving the Louvre Museum, I stopped to capture the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, which looked particularly breathtaking. Suddenly, the atmosphere around me shifted, and a buzz went through the crowd. To my surprise, I looked up just in time to see a hot air balloon ascending into the sky. It was a moment of pure serendipity!
A quick note on the current travel climate: the Louvre was more crowded yesterday than I have seen it in years. The sheer volume of tourists was truly staggering, so if you are planning a visit, be prepared for significant peak-season crowds.
Important Update: Changes to Museum Guides
I also wanted to confirm a rumor circulating on social media regarding the museum's floor plans. When I visited before the summer, the Japanese guides were still available, leading many to believe they were simply out of stock. However, during this visit, they were completely gone. After speaking with the staff, they confirmed that the Japanese editions have been officially discontinued.
Currently, printed visitor guides are only available in the following languages:
- English
- French
- Spanish
- German
- Chinese
- Korean
It is a bit disappointing to see the Japanese version phased out, especially for those who rely on physical maps to navigate the vast halls of the world's largest art museum. Make sure to download a digital map in advance if your preferred language is no longer provided in print.
Content Credit: Sayo Okamoto
