Musée de Louvre

Getting There

 Where is it? 1st District, Place de Louvre (Right Bank of River Seine)
 How do I get there? Metro or Bus
 When is it open? Standard opening times 09h00 to 18h00. Open later until 21h45 on Wednesdays and Fridays. Closed Tuesdays.
 What does it cost? Adults €6, Under 18’s €2, Disabled €4. Prices DO NOT include access to special exhibitions.

When You Get There

You are looking at a sprawling building with a colorful history that easily outdoes any Luxury Hotel in Paris no matter how large. It began as a fortress in the 13th Century but was converted to a royal residence three centuries years later. When the King moved on to Versailles in 1692 he used it to store surplus art works. After the revolution, the National Assembly decreed that it be used to display the nation’s art treasures.

Almost 35,000 works of art are kept in a rambling complex over 60,000 meters in extent (that’s a lot of baseball pitches). It’s pointless to try and see everything. Pick a few favorites like Michelangelo statues or Botticelli paintings, plot them on a map and dive in. Alternatively just wander agape through magnificent halls without trying to absorb too much.

While the Kings of France may have had unlimited budgets the government does not have endless money these days. Special find raising exhibits may be relatively expensive but are more rewarding that fighting with the average 27,000 visitors who enter the exhibition halls every day. Alternatively, follow a theme like Egyptian Antiquities, Islamic Art, or Greek, Etruscan and Roman Sculpture. Anything is better than a blur.

The Insider Edge

Visitors below 18 years of age and members of the extended European Union aged between 18 and 25 may request free entry at ticket windows. The same applies to art and art history teachers. Bring proof with you though.

Make good use of free amenities that help you find your way around. These include multimedia guides, thematic trails and information brochures. Forget about asking the attendants though. They are security guards and their English is limited.

Queues at ticket windows are frustratingly long. In fact that’s how they regulate the numbers. Buy online tickets in advance on TicketWeb, or at Fnac or Virgin Megastores. The premium of €1.6 is still a bargain. The Concierge at your Luxury Vacation Apartment in Paris can tell you more.

Things You Didn’t Know

 On 27 August 1939 the Louvre was emptied of all important art works in anticipation that invading German forces might loot it, and hidden in different places in the French countryside. These were returned when France was liberated in 1945 and Paris Hotels took down their blackout screens.

 The magnificent Auditorium is a multi-disciplinary 450-seater space that caters for symposia, concerts and special children’s events. Those in the know use it as a space for quiet contemplation, or for cooling their feet when the pace gets too hectic in the exhibition halls.

 Try to take in at least Louvre eye-opener on your visit. These are thematic modules of niche information suitable for everyone. The range of themes extends from specific artworks to a civilization, a period or an artist. You will learn a great deal here.

Can You Afford to Miss It?

You cannot afford to miss the Louvre. In fact many locals and tourists visit it again and again. The key is not to try to see everything. Go there with specific goals and a pre-booked ticket. Expand creative horizons in laid-back style. Return to your Luxury Hotel in Paris for a relaxing meal.