The little brother of the Louvre museum Paris has settled in the former mining region of northern France, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site: an opportunity to discover other treasures of the famous museum.
The little brother of the Louvre museum Paris has settled in the former mining region of northern France, listed as a Unesco World Heritage Site: an opportunity to discover other treasures of the famous museum.
Built on the site of a former mining pit, Louvre-Lens was inaugurated on December 4, 2012, Saint Barbara's Day, the patron saint of miners. The long, streamlined building, designed by architects from the Japanese firm SANAA, reflects the large flower-filled park that surrounds the museum, blending seamlessly into the landscape.
In this fine example of contemporary architecture, horizontal lines blend naturally into the terrain, thanks to facades made of glass and anodized aluminum. These materials give the site a varied appearance depending on weather conditions, as light is one of the key features of this site (large glass roofs, star-shaped layout favoring the fluidity of natural lighting, open spaces overlooking the surrounding green spaces...).
The parks are inspired by those designed in the 16th century by Le Nôtre, one of the few things this beautiful museum has in common with the Louvre in Paris, less than 1 hour from Lille.
The masterpieces on display come from all sections of the Louvre museum in Paris.
One of the most famous pieces of this 2nd museum is the Gallery of Time, entry is free. You can see creations by Botticelli, Rubens, Raphael or Rembrandt.
The works on display date from 3500 BC to the end of the 19th century, allowing visitors to travel between different eras, from ancient Greece to the Renaissance to Egypt of the pharaohs.
The Louvre-Lens hosts two major temporary exhibitions each year (on themes as varied as Love, the animals of the Pharaohs and music), as well as numerous shows and events.
Always innovative, Louvre-Lens also offers a museotherapy service: accompanied by an art therapist and a cultural mediator, visitors are invited to experience contemplation and introspection around the works of art and the park.
It's a great way to free your imagination and stimulate your capacity for wonder, in a place that's ideal for disconnecting from the world around you.
For more information
Valérie from Comme des Français
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