ParisThe Thief Who Made a Star
Paris, 1911. The Mona Lisa vanishes from the Louvre. Follow the trail across the oldest part of Paris, collect the clues, and find out how a theft made her famous.
All ages. One stop talks about a queen’s execution.
Start the Paris walkThe stops
- The Louvre: In 1911 a man in a white smock walked out of this museum with a painting under his arm. Nobody noticed for a day.
- Pont Neuf & Henri IV: Pont Neuf means “New Bridge”, but it’s the oldest bridge in Paris. And the king on the horse kept secrets inside him for almost 200 years.
- The Conciergerie: This medieval palace became the Revolution’s waiting room for the guillotine. Its most famous prisoner was a queen.
- Sainte-Chapelle: A king spent more on what was kept inside this chapel than on the chapel itself.
- Notre-Dame: On 15 April 2019 the world watched this cathedral burn, live. The next day, in the rubble, someone found the copper rooster from the top of the spire.
Questions about the Paris walk
Where does the Paris walk start?
Starts at the Louvre pyramid. You can also pick a starting point near you, for example: Gare du Nord, Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Marais.
How long is the Paris walk?
The full walk has 5 stops and is 2.0 km. The shorter route has 3 stops and is 1.9 km.
Which stops are on the Paris walk?
The Louvre, Pont Neuf & Henri IV, The Conciergerie, Sainte-Chapelle, Notre-Dame.
Who is the Paris walk for?
All ages. One stop talks about a queen’s execution.
What if it rains in Paris?
Rainy? Sainte-Chapelle, the Conciergerie and Notre-Dame are all indoors and a few minutes apart.
Are there any safety tips for the Paris walk?
Safety first: keep your bag closed in crowds at the Louvre and on the bridges, and look up from your phone when you cross the quays.