TOURING PARIS: The Musée du Louvre Super Tips!
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Dear Foodie Fam,
My SUPER TIPS for the visiting the Musée du Louvre! The Louvre is HUGE but SO worth juicing! I hope these tips help you out!
As an art history fan, I spent months gleaning websites, blogs and youtube videos (all sources below) for louvre info! i made sure to take LOTS of notes while touring, too!
IN THIS POST:
BASIC HISTORY & FACTS
ADMISSION INFO: FREE DAYS, PARIS PASS
AVOIDING CROWDS
MULTIPLE ENTRANCESFOOD/EATING/RESTAURANT TIPS
NAVIGATION TIPS
MAJOR ARTWORKS BY WING
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
BASICS
FAME
The Musée du Louvre is the largest museum in the world. At any time, its 652,300 square feet can easily house 15,000 visitors amongst 15 galleries. Each wings has more than 70 rooms.
If one took 30 seconds in front of each piece, it would take 100 consecutive days to see all of the pieces without a break. On display are 35,000 pieces of a total 380,000 owned. About 66% of the paintings are made by French artists. Some pieces of the collection are as old as 11,000 years ago.
The Louvre’s most popular painting is the Mona Lisa and the most popular sculptures are the Venus of Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
HISTORY
In 1190, the building was commissioned as a fortress by King Phillipe-Auguste. It was used to protect the French from Viking raiders. Not until 500 years later was the building reconstructed as a royal palace by King François I. Each King after him added their own flair to the building, whose last royal resident was Louis XIV. King Louis XIV later moved his court to Versailles.
During the Enlightenment, the French people requested a public national art museum. After the French Revolution, in 1793, the revolutionary government did create this museum. The Musée Central des Arts was opened in the Grande Galerie of the Louvre.
With Napoleon’s reign, the building was named the Musée Napoleon. Some 5,000 pieces were added to the Louvre through Napoleon's claim to new land and new art. He meant to create a democratic, free, educational space for all of France - regardless of class- to access the arts.
So essentially, the Louvre was a huge stockpile of looted art. Some of the work came from Belgium, Italy, Prussia, Austria. A lot of the stolen work came from Egypt. Though much of the art was returned to their places of origin after Napoleon’s fall, today, the rightful ownership of some is still sorely disputed.
The Louvre also stored loot taken through war during WWII when the Germans took control of the space.
Today’s Lower Hall (Salle Basse) keeps its original medieval interior. The glass pyramid was added in the 1980s.
BONUS FACT: It’s said the Louvre is haunted!
Louvre Museum. The Colonnade, the eastern facade of the Louvre Museum, Paris, 19th-century print.Library of Congress, Washington, D.C. (LC-DIG-pga-13069)
ADMISSION
These are the prices you’re looking at as of the publishing of this post.
STANDARD ADMISSION: 15€
FREE ADMISSION:
…To everyone on the first Sundays of each month (OCT-MAR). Excludes special exhibitions.
…To those under 18 years old (minors) on any day, EU residents under 25 years old on any day and those under 26 years old (Friday nights).
…To some students/teachers.
If you are going on a free day, expect huge crowds! This is not the best way to see the museum if you are a big art fan.
PARIS MUSEUM PASS: Is It Worth It?
42€ for 1 day / 56€ for 4 days / 69€ for 6 days (en.parismuseumpass.com)
The Paris Museum Pass is great for if you are hitting a lot of Parisian tourist spots. You can see 60+ Paris museums and monuments (ie: the Musée d'Orsay, the Arc de Triomphe de l'Étoile, the Palace de Versailles, the Panthéon, St Chapelle). At one point, entrance to the Notre-Dame Cathedral was also included. Get it at participating museums (including the Louvre), metro stations and Paris Tourist Office locations.
It took a lot of research to find the best deal for us given: 1) what days we were in Paris, 2) how many times we wanted to visit the Louvre, and 3) the hours of the other places we wanted to visit. My travel agent and I agreed the Paris Pass was the best way for us to see the Louvre on our terms. We got multiple visits, a faster line and access to some other places we wanted to see.
Pick up the pass at Charles de Gaulle! ...We picked it up at the Tourism Information desk of Galeries Lafayette's Men's Department Store (40 boulevard Haussmann 75009 Paris • Open 9:30am-8:30pm Mondays-Saturdays /11:00am-7:00pm Sundays). It took forever (like an hour?) for us and another couple to be helped although we were the only customers. The customer service that day was rude (and according to my French, talked shit about us to each other).
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
GETTING IN
AVOIDING CROWDS
Like any other tourist destination, it’s easiest to avoid crowds and to enjoy the Louvre:
…outside peak hours.
…closer to opening and closer to closing.
…in the Fall and Winter.
…in the middle of the week.
Below: Typical crowds pooling in front of the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
ENTRANCES
There’s more than one entrance to the Louvre! From what I’ve observed:
Lines are generally long at every entrance but any pass may help ensure speedier entry (although you will still have your own line to go through).
When using the main line, your best bet is to cue up right before opening.
It’s OK to enter at lunch time. Lines can be shorter while people are at lunch.
Skip the line?: Some tour companies have skip-the-line access to the Louvre. You’d basically have a different line other than the main one. From what I’ve observed, those vigilant about visiting the museum outside peak hours got in as easily as those with skip-the-line passes.
Le Carousel du Louvre: This popular “secret” line sometimes seems almost as long as the main line, above. Le Carousel du Louvre is an underground shopping center connected to the Louvre. It has it’s own line in the the Hall Napoleon near the underbelly of the glass pyramid. From that entrance, an escalator brings you up to the first level with access to the Denon, Richelieu and Sully rooms.
Passage Richelieu: (Mon, Thur, Sat, Sun: 9AM-5.30PM • Wed, Fri: 6.30pm)
Porte des Lions: (Mon, Thur, Sat, Sun: 9AM-5.30PM) At far South-Eastern wing of the Museum. With this option, you need to purchase in advance and and pick up your tickets from an agent.
Below: Near the entrance of the Le Carousel du Louvre underground entrance.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
FOOD TIPS:
Bring food to the Louvre in your bag (you can bring a small bag or small backpack through the Louvre. Larger items can be checked in).
I suggest bringing easy to eat/non greasy finger food like pastries that you can easily store mess-free in your bag. Bring napkins and be nice and neat! Please eat in the cafeteria or resting areas, only!
Food inside the Louvre and Le Carousel du Louvre is understandably overpriced.
Café Molien (Denon Wing): This is a café with salads, quiche, baguettes and pasta. Has an outside terrace facing the Pyramid and indoor areas. Use museum ticket to re-enter.
Angelina’s Tea Shop (Richelieu Wing): With outside terrace facing the Pyramid and indoor areas. Use museum ticket to re-enter.
Café Marly (ground floor, Richelieu Wing): Mainly French and Asian influenced dishes. Walking distance of the museum. Outside terrace view of the Cour Marly and 17th century French sculpture.
Maison Kayser Eric Kayser (Louvre Palais Royal, 4 Rue de l'Échelle, 75001 Paris, France): This is an award-winning French bakery with popular croissants. This place is near the Louvre.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
NAVIGATION TIPS:
There are three wings: Richelieu, Sully, and Denon. Wing names have nothing to do with what’s in them but museum collections group schools of art and periods.
There are eight departments: Near Eastern Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, and Prints and Drawings.
There are four floors and three linked buildings.
Strategically cut out time within slower museum hours for highly visited pieces. This will ensure you have the best view of (and selfies with) those artworks.
If you divide your list of must-see art by priority, you can visit your high priority pieces and then hit the art furthest from the entrance to the museum. At museum closing, you can walk past art on your way down to the exit.
Make sure you are wearing comfy shoes for all that walking! If you get cold or hot easily, wear layers because the museum shifts in temperature.
Rest where you can.
Do NOT tour without a map (map found online, here). Museum maps are free near entrances and detailed guides are sold at the museum bookshop. Keep referring to your museum map if you want to avoid hitting the entrance court.
Research what you want to see ahead of time. Bring a list of your “wishlist” items on your visit. Refer to the map to make a route that ensures you see these things.
You can pick art styles you really want to see and visit only the collections best representing these styles of art.
Wi-fi is free but spotty. There’s seating in most halls but not in every room.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
MAJOR ARTWORKS BY WING
As a huge art history nerd, I suggest you check these pieces out.
The most popular ones are marked by an astericks * . My favorites are marked by two astericks **.
General Viewing Tips:
Know the names of the artists behind your favorite artworks. Art plaques are in French.
Prior to visiting, take screenshots of pieces you want to view. Keep these on your phone. There’s lot of concierges but many do not speak English. Point at a screenshot and they’ll know where to direct you!
Learn “where”, “left”, “right”, “escalator”, “bathroom”, “first floor”, “second floor” and other directional words in French. Some museum hosts do not speak English.
Want an intimate moment with a loved one? Find an emptier gallery with less visitors and good seating. Sit for a while and soak up the art.
Wandering to discover art you’ve never heard of can be invigorating and eye-opening. It’s also fun to do with a loved one. In art museums, I love seeing what kind of art my husband gravitates to. I’ve gotten good at predicting what pieces will draw his eye and heart!
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photos by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
SULLY WING
Feat: antiquities, history of the Louvre. 1st/2nd floors: historical treasures from ancient Greece and Egypt. 3rd FLOOR: famous French paintings.
**Aphrodite, known as the "Venus de Milo"
Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities: Hellenistic Art (3rd-1st centuries BC)The Seated Scribe
Department of Egyptian Antiquities. From the late prehistoric period to the late Middle Kingdom (circa 3800 - 1710 BC).*The Sphinx
Lower ground floor, Crypt of the Sphinx, Room 1.*Akhenaten (Amenophis III)/ sarcophagus of Pharaoh Ramses III/ Isis.
Ground floor, Colossal feet Room 12, Sarcophagus Room 13.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
DENON WING
Highly Visited. Feat: Italian and Spanish Paintings; 19th century French Paintings; Greek, Etruscan & Roman Antiquities; The Gallery of Apollo; Italian, Spanish, & Northern European Sculpture; Roman & Coptic Egypt; Arts of Africa, Asia, Oceania & Americas
**Botticelli: Venus and the Three Graces Offerings Gifts to a Young Girl and Youth Being Presented to the Seven Liberal Arts.
On the way to the Grand Galerie, 1st floor Denon Wing, in Rooms 1 and 2**The Winged Victory of Samothrace
Department of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities: Hellenistic Art (3rd-1st centuries BC)
Follow the crowds going up the stairs to the 1st floor, right off the stairs*Mona Lisa – Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo Department of Paintings: Italian painting
Grand Galerie, Room 6This room is ALWAYS BRIMMING with guests! You’ll be funneled through within a crowd. Ushers dismiss lines of people standing near the front of the group every few moments.
Keep in mind: The Mona Lisa is roped off and behind glass and is probably smaller than you think: 2′ 6″ x 1′ 9″.
In my honest opinion, the Mona Lisa is emotive and enchanting but not an especially impressive painting. The Mona Lisa reached fame after it’s repetitive thefts. These same thefts necessitated it’s current high security. (See my photos, below).
**July 28: Liberty Leading the People
Department of Paintings: French painting*The Consecration of the Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine on December 2, 1804
Department of Paintings: French painting**The Raft of the Medusa
Department of Paintings: French paintingThe Wedding Feast at Cana
Department of Paintings: Italian paintingUne Odalisque
Department of Paintings: French paintingCrown of Louis XV
The Apollo Gallery (Galerie d’Apollon) has a sparkling collection of French crown jewels. Denon wing, 1st floor, Room 66.*The Oath of the Horatii
Jacques-Louis David (Paris, 1748 - Brussels, 1825) 1784.
1st floor, Daru, Room 702.Christ at the Column
Antonello Da Messina. c. 1476-78. 1st floor, Grande Galerie, Room 710, 712, 716.**The Coronation of the Virgin
Guido di Pietro, aka Fra Angelico (documented in Florence in 1417 - Rome, 1455) c. 1430-32
1st floor - RM 708
BELOW: The frenzy in front of the Mona Lisa. Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
RICHELIEU WING
Photo by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Photos by Deets on Eats. Louvre Museum. Paris, France.
Least crowded. Feat: The apartments of Napoléon III, Cour Marly/French sculptures, Cour Puget/French sculptures, Decorative arts (Middle Ages - 19th c), French paintings (14th - 17th c); German, Flemish, and Dutch paintings; Arts of Islam; Mesopotamia & Ancient Iran.
*Law Code of Hammurabi, king of Babylon
Department of Near Eastern Antiquities: Mesopotamia. From the palace of Assyrian King Sargon II, figure Ground floor, Mesopotamia, Room 4.The four season, Italian artist Arcimboldo.
Grand Galerie, Room 8.In the Grand Galerie, Room 5**Leonardo da Vinci: The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. Portrait of a Woman(La Belle Ferrionniere).
** Zodiac ceiling from Denderah
Department of Egyptian Antiquities: Religious and funerary beliefs**La Dentellière (The Lacemaker) and L'Astronome ou plutôt L'Astrologue (The Astronomer
Johannes or Jan Vermeer. 2nd floor, Holland, second half of the 17th century, Room 837
**The Virgin and Child with Chancellor Rolin
Jan van EYCK (Maaseick, c. 1390-95 - Bruges, 1441). 2nd floor, Netherlands, 15th century, Room 818
