How would you like to spend a night in the most famous museum in the world, drinking in the shadow of its most famous painting, and sleeping in its iconic glass pyramid?
To celebrate its 30th anniversary, the Louvre in Paris is opening is doors to one couple for one night, with the chosen pair’s bed set up in a special mini-pyramid.
As anyone who has ever tried to see the Mona Lisa during normal opening hours knows, the experience can be trying at best, with thousands of cranky tourists elbowing each other out of the way to try and create a little bit of space to capture that perfect selfie.
The winner of this novel prize won't have to contend with such madness. Instead, after the lights go out and all the other visitors have left, they will be greeted by an art historian who will take them on a bespoke tour, like those normally reserved for A-list celebs and characters in Dan Brown novels.
Once they have been shown the museums many delights - or at least some of those many delights - the couple will be allowed toast Leonardo and his most famous creation with a “Renaissance inspired aperitif”, as they relax on a Parisian lounge sofa while French tunes are played on on old-school vinyl.
After the drink, the Venus de Milo, the ancient statue of the Greek goddess of love and beauty, will “host an extravagant feast in a pop-up dining room for the couple, after which they will be treated to an intimate acoustic concert in Napoleon III’s lavish apartments”.
Only at that point will they be allowed to retire to their bedroom under the Pyramid and the Parisian stars, “for what promises to be a masterpiece of a sleepover”, or, you know, whatever takes their fancy.
“We are happy to offer this unique and special experience for two people to stay in the museum overnight, in a bespoke pyramid shaped bedroom,” says Anne-Laure Béatrix, deputy managing director of the Musée du Louvre.
“We know that many people would love the opportunity to wander alone at night through the Louvre and we want this to be a magical and unforgettable experience.”
To enter the competition, you must come up with the best answer to the question: Why would you be the Mona Lisa’s perfect guest? and enter at airbnb.com/louvre before April 12th.
A series of new “experiences” at the Louvre - from tours to concerts - will be available to book through Airbnb in the coming weeks, from May until the end of the year.
