I.M. Pei's iconic Louvre pyramid turns 30 this year, and to celebrate, the storied museum in the French capital is throwing a slumber party. For one night only, Airbnb is inviting lucky contest winners to sleep under the stars in the heart of Paris in a miniature pyramid-shaped bedroom and dine in the presence of the famous Greek statue Venus de Milo. A private concert will also be thrown in Napoleon III's apartments, which have been preserved and reconstructed within the museum as a spectacular record of interiors and decor from the Second Empire.
"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 deputy managing director of the Louvre Anne-Laure Béatrix in a statement to the press. "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."
In addition to the once-in-a-lifetime sleepover, the lucky couple will also be treated to a private tour of the museum at night, led by an art historian. Tours of this nature are afforded only to the museum's most distinguished guests, who have in the past included Barack Obama, Beyoncé, and Jay-Z—the latter two were so inspired by their private tour of the institution that they decided to film their music video for "Apesh*t" there. And if nothing else, the private tour promises a true art-world rarity: an unobstructed view of Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa—arguably the most famous and well-recognized painting in the world.
"Paris is one of the most attractive cities in the world, and the Louvre is one of the most loved and celebrated institutions in Paris," says Airbnb France's general manager, Emmanuel Marill, in a statement to the press. "We are thrilled to partner with them and to offer exciting and unique experiences that will celebrate our community and welcome Parisians and international travelers to rediscover the museum in a new and authentic way.”
