How to Dine on Top of the Louvre Museum

View from Café Richelieu’s terrace. Photo by btwashburn

Visiting the Louvre Museum is on everyone’s Paris to do list, but what many people don’t know is there a restaurant tucked away upstairs offering stunning views of the city. Café Richelieu is located in the Richelieu wing on the first floor near Napoleon III’s apartments. It is owned and operated by Angelina’s (remember the world’s best hot chocolate?!?) making it a nice stop to break up your overwhelming visit to the Louvre.

Enjoying a glass of bubbly and veggie chips at the Louvre

While the dining room itself is less than spectacular, the views are phenomenal. When the weather is nice, the terrace is opened up for guests to enjoy their meal outside. Overlooking the Cour Napoléon and the Louvre Pyramid, you can also see the Eiffel Tower in the distance over Porte de Lions entrance making your meal a special one. How many people can say they ate on a terrace at the Louvre?

Make sure to have a cup of Angelina’s Hot Chocolate

The menu is not cheap (main courses are around 25€) but it is quality food. Plus, you have the luxury of choosing one of Angelina’s famous pastries! It can be criticized as a tourist trap, because yes, you are paying way more than you should for that croque monsieur but hey, you are on top of the Louvre Museum. For me, you are paying for the experience. The food is by no means bad, it is just overpriced. This is another thing to point out as many tourists’ traps offer bad food for a lot of money. At least Café Richelieu has quality meals.

Foie gras with fig chutney and brioche. Delicious!

I had the opportunity to eat here and enjoyed every bit of it. This is normally not my scene but every once in a while I have to put on the tourist hat and suck it up. It is definitely an experience I won’t forget. If your wallet allows for it and the weather is nice, I definitely recommend enjoying a meal at the Louvre at Café Richelieu.