Crowded lines of people waiting outside of the museum. (Mic Fleming)
When you go to Paris, will you visit the Louvre? Bien sûr! Of course you will! And so will nine million other tourists this year. This is why you need a plan. But take heart! The French eat thirty-two million baguettes every day. And with the right timing, you’ll always get one. Same with the Louvre. As the largest museum in the world, the Louvre holds over 500,000 objects, of which 38,000 are on display at any time to include some of the world’s most iconic images. From the Mona Lisa to a 10,000-year-old mummy, it offers something for everyone. However, it’s easy to get overwhelmed or lost and miss the masterpiece you most want to see. A little planning ahead will save the day. So, to get the most from your visit, Suivi-moi! (Follow me).
For over 800 years, the Louvre has continually changed in function, construction and growth of the collections. Built in the 12th century as a fortress against the English, it became a luxurious royal palace as Paris grew beyond the Seine islands. In 1682, Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles. In 1793, the Revolutionaries opened it for a public exhibition. Napoleon III began construction of the Richelieu wing and installed new royal apartments. And, in 1993, the Grand Louvre Project was completed under the direction of renowned architect I.M. Pei. Upgrades included a new courtyard, an underground mall, cafes, and direct Metro access. The installation of the glass pyramid as the main entrance was controversial at first, but is now the very avatar of the Louvre.
Crowd on steps at the Winged Victory statue (Mic Fleming)
So many objects, so little time! Your plan begins with the layout. The museum has three wings, each four stories high. They are connected, but you could spend your entire visit in any one of them and maintain bragging rights.
Denon: Start here if the Mona Lisa is top of your list. There are plenty of other masterpieces nearby, such as the Winged Victory and large-scale paintings like “Liberty Leading the People” and “The Coronation of Napoleon I.” The first floor features the sparkling gold Apollo Gallery and the French crown jewels.
Richelieu: Want to see how the royals lived? Head for Napoleon III’s apartments. The Cour Puget and Cour Marly are interior courtyards filled with statues from city squares and royal gardens. The glass skylights were added in the 1990s. The Louvre’s two prize Vermeers are also here. You’ll also find medieval and Islamic art in this wing. Although it’s not on any “top” list, I find the bejeweled rock crystal vase of Eleanor of Aquitaine fascinating.
Sully: The medieval fortress foundations can be seen here in the oldest wing of the museum. And for lovers of ancient art, this is your place. Want to see that mummy, iconic statues and papyrus scrolls spanning 4400 years of Nile history? Check. The Venus de Milo, Greek and Roman sculptures? On the first floor.
Know the hours!
Early mornings and late afternoons on weekdays are less crowded.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Mon., Thurs., Sat. and Sun.
Hours are 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Wed. and Fri.
The Louvre is closed on Tues.
Buy a timed ticket in advance on the museum website to avoid the long line of visitors without tickets. At the time of writing, the current price for adults is €22.
Be informed.
Before you go, check out the Louvre website, Instagram and YouTube posts. Choose one of the many apps from different vendors that meets your needs. Once there, use the free paper map or download it from the site. Rent the New Nintendo 3DS audio guide for €6. There is free wi-fi inside: Louvre_Wifi_Gratuit.
Consider a personal guide for a curated visit or a guided group tour. Many enable you to skip the line. Just be sure to check the reviews.
Take breaks! Know your limits.
The Louvre is a long walking tour. Look for seating areas and cafes. Experts recommend three hours; some people spend eight, but my own limit is two in addition to entry wait time. Wheelchairs and walking sticks are available at the entrance for free. Dress comfortably.
Use the cloakroom. You want to be as hands-free as possible to listen to your guide and take pictures.
Respect the artworks. Don’t hog the viewing space and certainly don’t touch. Guards are watching! Except for some special exhibitions, photography is allowed without flash or tripods. Mind the selfie sticks!
I prefer taking the Metro to the stop at Palais-Royal/ Musée du Louvre on lines 1 and 7 or Pyramides on line 14. Ten different bus lines will get you there. In the unlikely event you are driving, there is an underground car park at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier connecting to the Galerie du Carrousel entrance. There are four Vélib Paris rental bike stations. For a fun arrival, take the Batobus on the Seine to the Quai François-Mitterrand stop. With three different entrances, the pyramid is the main one.
Woman taking a picture of a painting on the wall (Mic Fleming)
Editor’s Note: This article was written by a member of the local military community, not an employee of Stars and Stripes. Neither the organization nor the content is being represented by Stars and Stripes or the Department of Defense.
