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The Architects Series #2 Ducks at the Louvre LbNA #13694 (ARCHIVED)

Owner:Adoptable
Plant date:Mar 6, 2005
Location:
City:Paris, France
County:Other International
State:Other International
Boxes:1
Found by: Nature Nerd
Last found:Jun 16, 2005
Status:FFFaaa
Last edited:Mar 6, 2005
STATUS: Confirmed as of 07/18/05

DIFFICULTY: Easy/Moderate
DISTANCE to LETTERBOX: 300 yards

DIRECTIONS: Paris, Louvre Museum
Opening Hours: Everyday except Tuesdays and certain public holidays, 9-18

BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
A medieval fortress, the palace of the kings of France, and a museum for the last two centuries, the architecture of the Louvre Palace bears witness to more than 800 years of history. Established in 1793 by the French Republic, the Louvre Museum, in the company of the Ashmolean Museum (1683), the Dresden Museum (1744) and the Vatican Museum (1784) is one of the earliest European museums. Divided into 8 departments, the Louvre collections incorporate works dating from the birth of the great antique civilizations right up to the first half of the XIXth century, thereby confirming its encyclopedic vocation. The "Grand Louvre" is a part of the "Grand Travaux" or Major Works defined by the President of the Republic François Mitterrand, which also includes the new Bibliothèque Nationale de France, the Opéra Bastille and the Grande Arche de la Défense.
KNOW BEFORE YOU GO:

In 1983 Ieoh Ming Pei was offered the 'Grand Louvre' project by the French government. Of all the Grand Projects in Paris, none created such a stir as the Pei Pyramids in the courtyard of the famous Louvre Museum. Spectacular in concept and form, they provide a startling reminder of the audacious ability of modern architects to invigorate and re-circulate traditional architectural forms. The main Pyramid is basically a complex inter-linked steel structure sheathed in reflective glass. In fact it is an entrance doorway providing a long-overdue entrance portico to the main galleries of the Louvre. As one descends into the interior entrance foyer, the dramatic nature of the intervention becomes apparent. The main Pyramid, which certainly disturbs the balance of the old Louvre courtyard, is countered by two smaller pyramids, which provide further light and ventilation to the subterranean spaces."

CLUES:

Find the Pyramid entrance to the Louvre. You will notice that the Louvre is on axis with the Arch de Triomphe. Start you journey toward the Arch de Triomphe. You will come to a circular fountain with ducks swimming in it but keep walking, making sure you stay on axis towards the Arch de Triomphe. Not long after the fountain you will see two cafés with outdoor seating, one on each side of the “Av des Champs Elysees”. Walk towards the café “La Terrasse de Pomone”, which is on the left. Within the café seating you should notice the gardens with the family of ducks, an abundance array of trees and most importantly, the steel sculpture of arranged bamboo. Have a seat that faces the family of ducks. The letterbox is within the sculpture. To find the letterbox, as you sit, lean down and count the bamboo stalks behind your legs, starting from the Louvre, count three stalk towards the Arch de Triomphe. The letterbox is behind the third stalk under the seat. This letterbox may have been pushed way back so you may have to feel for it.

This is a very carefully tended garden, so please re-bury the box very well to avoid detection by landscaping crews, waiters or tourists.

The security at the Louvre is strict so we needed to hide the letterbox off the beaten path. But this path is still well guarded, so please be inconspicuous when retrieving and replacing the letterbox. Also keep in mind that the sculpture is hollow so when you replace the box (which is soft sided) be careful not to push it too far back so that others wont be able to get it out.

Happy Hunting