Louvre Palace and The Tuileries Gardens: Royalty and Revolution Self-Guided Audio Walking Tour
Supplied by: Vidi Guides
Join us on this walk through French Royalty & Revolutions as we explore the Louvre Palace and Tuileries Gardens. We explore the rise & fall of the French monarchy, trace the history & evolution of the Louvre Palace, and understand the artistic heritage that has always existed at the Louvre.
We join Ed, a local historian, and Kristen, a Parisian journalist, on this fascinating walk through time. We’ll deep dive into the Louvre’s architecture, point out some famous artwork that’s scattered throughout the Louvre & its gardens, and learn more about some of France’s most famous heads of state - from Louis to Napoleon!
You do not need a Louvre entrance ticket to do this tour as we do not enter the museum on this visit. This is the ultimate guide to the Louvre Palace and understanding French royalty and revolution. Our self-guided podcast tour can be downloaded anytime directly onto your smartphone!
What's included
- Digital audio guide, to be downloaded onto your smartphone before your visit
- On-screen pictures to enhance your experience
- Geo-localised map to keep you on the right track
- Entrance ticket to the Louvre museum
- Headphones
Know before you go
Please download 'Vidi Guides' from the App Store of your mobile device and enter the code you receive after booking (from email address: [email protected]).
Please remember to bring a pair of headphones with you
Highlights
- This is the ultimate guide to understanding rise & fall of the French monarchy
- Learn about the Louvre's evolution over time the artistic heritage that has always existed at the Louvre
- Explore at your own personal pace and be guided by an expert historian
Overview
When most people think of the Louvre, they usually think of the glass pyramid or the beautiful renaissance style palace within. But few people get to discover the Louvre’s true facade: the Colonnade de Perrault. We start our tour here, as we explore the architectural masterpiece that inspired the likes of the US Capitol, the New York Met or Palais Garnier.
We’ll then head into the Louvre’s oldest section as we trace the history of the Louvre. We’ll come to understand how the Louvre evolved over hundreds of years, from a defensive fortress to a sumptuous renaissance palace. We’ll point out key differences in architectural style and spot delicate imprints that each ruler left behind.
As we wander deeper into the Louvre palace, we learn more about the French monarchs, hear some anecdotes about medieval France, and start to uncover the events that would lead to the French revolution. We hear about some of France’s most iconic Kings and Queens, and explore the concept of Absolutism.
We learn about the Louvre’s artistic heritage, which goes back much further than the museum. We’ll discover the iconic glass pyramid from many angles, admiring its beauty, learning how it took inspiration from the pyramids of Giza and hearing about the French’s (not so enthusiastic) reaction when it was unveiled.
We’ll learn more about Napoleon and how he left his imprint on the Louvre. We’ll explore the reasons for his explosive rise to power and his lasting impact on French & European society. At the Carrousel du Louvre we’ll have a closer look at Napoleon’s fascination with Rome and see how this influenced him during his reign.
As we walk through the Tuileries, we’ll hear fun stories about events that have happened here: from royal gossip to Olympic catastrophes. We’ll understand how another palace that used to stand here, The Tuileries Palace, was burnt to the ground during the Commune uprising. We’ll also try to spot some famous Henry Moore and Auguste Rodin statues as we make our way to Place de la Concorde.
We’ll finish the tour by taking a deep dive into the French revolution, understand how this has influenced France and also look to the future.
The Vidi Guides experience is enriched with on-screen photos and videos. We also point out where to take the perfect Instagram photos during the tour, and include recommendations for food, drinks, and local attractions. Don't worry, none of our recommendations are sponsored - they are simply favourites of the locals who helped craft the experience.
Vidi Guides creates immersive audio experiences that are like podcasts. This is a self-guided audio tour that can be started or stopped at your own convenience. Download the Vidi Guides app & your Louvre & Tuileries tour to explore the area independently and safely! Make sure to download your tour before your visit to streamline your trip!
Cancellation policy
Non refundable