The author describes a unique experience at the Louvre museum in Paris, which involved participating in a one-hour circuit called Courez au Louvre developed by dancer and choreographer Mehdi Kerkouche. The participants, dressed in athletic attire, arrived early in the morning before the museum opened to the public. The author, along with others, embarked on a fitness class led by two dancers and four coaches, which involved jogging through the museum’s halls and doing exercises in various locations. The experience was described as a rare and exhilarating opportunity to combine physical activity with art and culture.
The author reflects on their continued engagement with the Louvre museum, having purchased a membership in 2014 and regularly visiting its various departments. The experience of engaging in a fitness class within the museum’s iconic surroundings felt like a culmination of years of preparation and dedication to exploring the institution’s vast collections. Despite the absence of Kerkouche, the dancers leading the session created an immersive and engaging environment for the participants, emphasizing the workout aspect over typical tourist activities such as taking photos with famous artworks.
The author describes the experience of participating in the Courez au Louvre circuit, which involved a group of around 60 individuals split into two groups led by different dancers. The workout session took place in various locations within the museum, including the Cour Marly with its monumental sculptures and the spot where Louis Vuitton runways had been staged in the past. The group engaged in activities such as planks and downward dogs led by a yoga instructor, adding a unique twist to the typical museum visit and allowing participants to experience the space in a new and physical way.
The author reflects on the juxtaposition of physical fitness and art, emphasizing the unconventional nature of jogging through the halls of the Louvre while surrounded by priceless artworks and historical artifacts. The experience evoked fantasies of iconic cinematic moments, such as the characters in Jean-Luc Godard’s Band of Outsiders running through the museum’s Grande Galerie. The author highlights the surreal and exhilarating nature of the experience, which provided a new perspective on the museum as a space for movement and activity rather than passive observation.
Overall, the author’s account of participating in the Courez au Louvre circuit offers a unique and captivating glimpse into the intersection of fitness, art, and culture within one of the world’s most renowned museums. The experience of jogging through the Louvre’s halls and engaging in physical activities amidst its collections challenges traditional notions of museum visits and encourages participants to interact with the space in a dynamic and immersive way. This unconventional approach to experiencing the Louvre highlights the potential for museums to serve as spaces for movement, exploration, and engagement beyond conventional forms of cultural consumption.
