Rats plague picnickers in gardens of the Louvre

Photo / Thinkstock

The uplifting experience of visiting the Louvre in Paris is being marred by the sight of packs of rats scavenging scraps left by picnickers in the museum's gardens.

Parisians and tourists have complained that the rats detract from their visit to one of the world's most renowned museums.

"It's disgusting and not what you expect," commented Ron Smith, a visitor from Birmingham. "I won't be eating my sandwich here."

But some appear unperturbed and even amused because they consider the rodents to be part of the Parisian scene, as depicted in the Disney animated film Ratatouille, about a French rat that becomes a skilled chef.

One visitor, Amy Verner, posted on Twitter: "Counted no fewer than a dozen rats scamper across east lawn of Louvre into a hedge this eve. Maybe Ratatouille was making dinner?"

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The Louvre normally relies on the city authorities to keep the rats under control, but managers have decided that the numbers are intolerable and have called in a private pest control agency.

However, their efforts so far have failed to stop dozens of rats scurrying among people relaxing or picnicking on the lawns of the Jardin du Carrousel. "Food waste left on the lawns attracts rats and encourages their proliferation," a spokesman for the museum said. "We're asking people to be more careful."

Xavier Francolon, a photographer who spent two days documenting the rats' comings and goings, said he was astonished that many people remained indifferent to them.

"People were sleeping on the lawn while rats chased each other right beside them," Mr Francolon told the magazine Le Point. "Kids go up to them and chase them as if they were pigeons and picnickers munch on their meals as if they weren't there."

He said Parisians seem to have got used to the creatures. "They eat their pate, drink their rose or quaff their champagne right next to the rats," he said.