yan

Hi, I'm reposting this message simply because in my last one I didn't spell some index words correctly... <BR> <BR>We will be first-time travellers in Paris and don't plan to explore Louvre in every detail. I'm tempted to buy Louvre tickets at reduced price which only allow access after 3pm and on Sunday. Are there usually too many people in the museum on Sunday at the end of June? I'm also thinking of Monday and Wednesday when it has late opening--Can we dine in the museum, at least on fast food? <BR> <BR>I appreciate any useful information. <BR> <BR>

Daniel

There's a great travel article that I used for my first trip to the Louvre. It's a three hour tour that takes you to a majority of the main sites in a three hour span, a great first shot at the place before you start to wander aimlessly (you could fill a couple of weeks with aimless wandering) You can find the article at www.canoe.ca/TravelEurope/louvre.html <BR> <BR>Also there are small cafes in the main hall of the Louvre, under the pyramid.

Tara

Please be advised that the Louvre is ALWAYS busy - even more so during reduced admission times (after 3PM) and during the extended evening hours (only the Richlieu Wing is open Monday evenings). There are several not-too-expensive "dining" opportunities within. Your best bet is to obtain a Carte Musees et Monuments, arrive at or before opening time, enter through the Passage Richelieu or metro stations (with your pass). With a pass, you can leave and re-enter at your leisure. There are numerous fabulous eateries within a block or two (L'Ami Leon, for example), with far better prices and offerings than you'll find within the Louvre.

Nancy

I'm leaving for Frane and Italy Sunday. Someone I know who wa just there told me tht the late hours on Monday are gone. Our hotel confirmed this. <BR> <BR>Definetly get a pass...

scigirl

I think getting a pass and arriving at opening time is probably your best bet for avoiding the worst of the crowds. You can by a museum pass at a smaller museum a day before going to the Louve. If you arrive at opening the pass will get you in before the crowds get tickets - and it does take a little time before the crowds manage to spread throughout the entire museum (it's huge). <BR> <BR>Finally, if you are dead-set on seeing the Mona Lisa get to the museum at opening and go directly to the painting. (It isn't a big deal if you miss it - there is tons of equally great stuff to see.) The room that houses the ML gets so packed with people that you can not get within 50 feet of the painting (and would need to be about 7 feet tall to see over everyone).

Sheryl

We went onthe Wed. evening and the crowds weren't bad at all. We stayed only about 2 hours (all the time the rest of the family would let me!) and saw quite a few of the "hot spots". I would highly recommend going at this time. There wasn't even a crowd at the Mona Lisa.

elaine

Dear yan <BR>I have some Paris sightseeing notes, which includes some hints on the Louvre, many gleaned from this forum. If you would like to see them, email me. <BR>enjoy your trip

andy augustine

I was in Paris over Easter and the Louvre was not open that Sunday. Don't <BR>know if this is true for each Sunday&gt;

elaine

If you're talking about Easter Sunday, I'm not surprised it was closed, but it is open most Sundays