For newbies, lost souls and others who just can't figure it out, this image shows "ground zero" for getting around in the Louvre.
The floating spiral staircase leads down to this below-ground level area beneath the Louvre's main entrance,
via I.M.Pei's magnificent glass pyramid that was built during the 1980's, to access the three wings of the Louvre Museum.

All visitors to the museum end up here, either to pick up a Louvre map, buy tickets, or ask directions before entering the galleries.
Escalators lead from this area to each of three wings of the Louvre, known as the "Richelieu", "Denon" and "Sully" wings.
The free map of the Louvre, (in many languages), shows the location and names of the collections that are located on three floors of each wing.
Don't leave the area without it !