There are at least 15 restaurants at the Louvre museum in Paris, and all 15 of them have a long line at lunch time.
Except one.
In the Richelieu wing, on the “first” floor (which is really the second floor), just past the entrance to the Cafe Richelieu, there is an open door which looks like a service entrance.
There is a banner on the door, but if you are coming from the opposite direction you will miss it.
The door leads past the Cafe Richelieu espresso machines to an exit onto an outdoor terrace overlooking the courtyard of the Louvre.
Welcome to the Terrasse Colbert!
Image via Wikimedia Commons
There, you will find some long tables set with chairs, and a small cafe.
This cafe is not mentioned in the official literature from the museum, so I suspect that it is seasonal.
You can rest your feet among the statuary and enjoy the view.
The selection at the snack bar is quite limited — just a few types of sandwiches, soft drinks, and packaged ice cream.
But you will be able to rest your feet, enjoy the fresh air and the view of the famous pyramid, and avoid wasting precious time standing in line.
Here is a map to help you find this hidden gem!
I love secrets!
This museum is huge. Overwhelming, really.