Sleep over at the Louvre: World-famous museum to open overnight for lucky prize winner

Travellers have the chance to bed down in the Parisian museum, with one of the world’s most coveted art collections as company

Two travellers will get to spend a night sleeping in the Louvre Museum as part of the museum's 30th anniversary.  Courtesy Airbnb / Julian-Abrams
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Like art? Love travel? Well, take note, as the Louvre Museum in Paris is opening for an after-hours sleepover for the person deemed to be Mona Lisa's perfect guest.

The art gallery will turn hotel on April 30 when one visitor and their guest will check in to spend the night under the coveted pyramid structure of one of the world’s most-visited cultural destinations, with welcomes more than 10.2 million guests per year.

Upon arrival, an art historian will guide the pair on a private tour, taking in some of the museum’s most famous works – and following in the footsteps of the likes of famous visitors such as pop duo Jay-Z and Beyonce, and former US president Barack Obama.

The winner deemed to be Mona Lisa's best house guest will get to spend a night at the Louvre. Courtesy Julian-Abrams
The winner deemed to be Mona Lisa's best house guest will get to spend a night at the Louvre. Courtesy Julian-Abrams

Stopping in front of the Mona Lisa, guests will celebrate Leonardo da Vinci's famous belle with a Renaissance-inspired toast. French music played on vinyl will echo throughout the halls, setting the scene for a culinary feast of Parisian fare in a pop-up dining room in the company of Venus of Milo, the Greek goddess of love and beauty.

An intimate concert in Napoleon’s III’s apartments will wrap up the cultural evening, before the pair are escorted to a ‘bedroom’ set under the museum’s iconic Pyramid.

A night of intimate cultural experiences awaits at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Courtesy Julian-Abrams
A night of intimate cultural experiences awaits at the Louvre Museum in Paris. Courtesy Julian-Abrams

“We are happy to offer this unique and special experience for two people to stay in the museum overnight, in a bespoke, pyramid-shaped bedroom," said Anne-Laure Beatrix, deputy managing director of the Musee du Louvre.

"We know that many people would love the opportunity to wander alone at night through the Louvre.”

Get the Louvre all to yourself just like Beyonce, Jay-Z and the Obama family did. Courtesy Julian-Abrams
Get the Louvre all to yourself just like Beyonce, Jay-Z and the Obama family did. Courtesy Julian-Abrams

The event is part of a partnership with Airbnb to celebrate the museum’s 30th anniversary. Other experiences, exclusive visits and intimate events will take place throughout the year, bookable through the accommodation platform.

It would take most visitors about 100 days to see everything the Louvre has to offer but with a whole night to explore and no crowds to contend with, this exclusive sleepover will give two travellers the chance to check-off an impressive number of must-sees including works by El Greco, Theodore Gericault and of course, Leonardo.  Enter at Airbnb until April 12.