The Louvre Museum hosted a unique event called Courez au Louvre, which involved a one-hour fitness circuit designed by dancer and choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche. Participants were instructed to wear athletic attire, sneakers, and arrive at 7:45 am, before the museum opened to the public. The event attracted a diverse group of attendees, with some wearing gym clothes and others sporting a hoodie from the museum’s collaboration with Uniqlo. The circuit aimed to offer a different experience in exploring the museum, moving through its vast rooms and spaces in a more energetic way than usual.
Despite the large size of the Louvre, the Courez au Louvre circuit was more of a shuffle than a run, with participants clutching their arms to their sides as they moved through the museum. The event provided a unique opportunity to engage with the museum in a physical and interactive manner, challenging participants to navigate the space in a new way. While the idea of running through the Louvre may evoke cinematic images of freedom and movement, the reality of the circuit was a more controlled and structured experience, led by experienced dancers and coaches.
For many attendees, the event felt like a culmination of their previous experiences at the museum, with some participants expressing a long-standing interest in the Louvre and its collections. The event offered a new perspective on the museum, combining elements of physical activity, art appreciation, and cultural exploration. While the Louvre is typically known for its vast collection of artworks and historical artifacts, the Courez au Louvre event provided a different lens through which to view the museum, emphasizing movement and engagement with the space itself.
The event was led by two dancers who acted as guides for the participants, offering instructions and leading them through various activities in different areas of the museum. The group was split into two and embarked on the circuit from opposite directions, engaging in exercises such as planks and downward dogs in the Cour Marly, surrounded by monumental sculptures from Louis XIV’s parks. The experience of participating in a fitness class within the walls of the Louvre added an element of novelty and excitement to the event, creating a unique blend of physical activity and cultural enrichment.
Overall, the Courez au Louvre event provided a one-of-a-kind experience for participants, allowing them to engage with the museum in a new and dynamic way. The combination of physical activity, art appreciation, and cultural exploration offered a fresh perspective on the Louvre, challenging participants to move beyond traditional modes of interaction with the space. By combining exercise with exploration, the event encouraged participants to see the museum in a different light, highlighting the potential for movement and engagement within its hallowed halls.
