Louvre-Lens Museum
About This Museum
People don't come to the Louvre-Lens for the grandiosity of Paris; they come for the art, pure and simple. Housed in a series of low-slung, shimmering glass and aluminum pavilions, it feels more like a serene art park than a traditional museum. Inside the vast, open-plan 'Galerie du Temps,' masterpieces from the Louvre's collection are displayed in a single, flowing chronological sweep, allowing you to wander through centuries without any walls to stop you. It’s an experience that feels both intimate and epic, where a Mesopotamian statue might catch your eye just before you turn a corner and find yourself face-to-face with a Delacroix. You leave feeling not overwhelmed, but curiously refreshed, as if you've understood something new about the thread connecting all art.
Collection Highlights
The heart of the museum is the Galerie du Temps, where Egyptian sarcophagi sit under the same roof as Roman antiquities and Rembrandt portraits. Don't miss their blockbuster temporary exhibitions, which have featured everything from ancient Assyrian treasures to modern masters.
Visitor Information
It's nestled in a reclaimed mining site in Lens, easily reached by a short train ride from Lille. The light-filled cafeteria is a perfect spot for a coffee while contemplating the views of the landscaped grounds.
Architecture & Building
A stunning contemporary complex designed by the Japanese firm SANAA, featuring long, low buildings with curved glass walls and reflective aluminum façades that mirror the sky.
Contact & Location
Address: Musée du Louvre-Lens, 99, Rue Paul Bert, Cité n°9, Lens, Pas-de-Calais, Hauts-de-France, France métropolitaine, 62300, France
Phone: +33 3 21 18 62 62
Website: Visit Website
