In the Louvre there is a courtyard dedicated to restoration of statues. Day after day, a few students and specialists clean and fix greek and roman works to be shown again. Public can follow this activity through the bars of the gates.

This statue seems ready to get out and to start a new life, as soon the keepers will free it.

By the way, Paris is not only a 26 years old heiress but the King of Troy in greek mythology.

Do you know Escher, a dutch graphic artist of the 20th century ?
He used to paint stairs going nowhere, giving a feeling of impossible reality.

I’m sure ESCHER was inspired by the LEFUEL staircase in the Richelieu’s aisle of the Louvre.

Here is a secret.
If you ever come to Paris and visit the Louvre, there is an unknown entrance to the museum. Near the end of the Flore’s aisle, the one by the Seine, you can get in by the Porte des Lions.
It is a regular entrance, only closed on friday. Usually, there is no waiting line.

Inside, a modern stair gives you a direct access to the “grande galerie” and the italian painters.

The Ecole du Louvre, a famous art school, is located at the very end of this aisle.

By the way, the Paris’s meridian, known as the Rose line in the book, has its origin in the Paris Observatory. But infortunately, as you can verify here, this imaginary line cross the Louvre a few yards on the east side. The line doesn’t even cross Saint Sulpice’s church.