Best WAy to See the Louvre?
Oct 10th, 2006, 12:36 PM
#21
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I think there are basically two types of people who visit museums like the Louvre: those who just want to catch the highlights; and those who want to spend some time studying the works. So you have to decide which type of person you all are.
For those who just want to catch the highlights, do some research and find out just what you want to see, and where it is. You could do this at the Louvre web site, and many guidebooks have instructions for a quick tour. I would suggest going early in the day and waiting for them to open; you can then rush to your favorite highlights and have some hope of beating the crowds.
For those who want to spend time studying the works, planning is also essential, but I think the key is to break up your visits into comfortable segments. This group should definitely get a multi-day museum pass, so you can economically spend portions of two or three days there (don't forget that this is a huge museum, well worth more than a single visit).
My wife and I like to spend time studying the works, and we enjoyed visiting the Louvre in the mornings, then having lunch outside, then visiting the Orsay in the afternoon, and possibly returning to the Louvre later.
For those who just want to catch the highlights, do some research and find out just what you want to see, and where it is. You could do this at the Louvre web site, and many guidebooks have instructions for a quick tour. I would suggest going early in the day and waiting for them to open; you can then rush to your favorite highlights and have some hope of beating the crowds.
For those who want to spend time studying the works, planning is also essential, but I think the key is to break up your visits into comfortable segments. This group should definitely get a multi-day museum pass, so you can economically spend portions of two or three days there (don't forget that this is a huge museum, well worth more than a single visit).
My wife and I like to spend time studying the works, and we enjoyed visiting the Louvre in the mornings, then having lunch outside, then visiting the Orsay in the afternoon, and possibly returning to the Louvre later.
Oct 10th, 2006, 01:09 PM
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I don't think I really fall into either of those groups, so maybe there are three. I definitely don't want just highlights (and don't even really view them most of the time, as a repeat visitor), but I don't spend all day and really do what I'd call studying works.
I just have certain types of art and periods I enjoy looking at more, so I look at the layout they give you, and go to those -- ie, sculpture, 18-19th Century, Medieval, some decorative arts. Those are my tastes, but other people might really be interested in the Egyptian stuff. I am, but don't spend my time at the Louvre on those as I've seen good Egyptian collections at many other museums, so I concentrate on what is only possible at the Louvre. I always try to see Ingres' Odalisque there, for example, althougyh it was out on tour or something when I was there last summer. They do have some nice Impressionist works there, also, although it isn't a very large collection as most is in the ORsay, of course.
I don't know about secret entrances, as I don't think any of them are a big secret, but I do think lines are smaller in late afternoon consistently. I've found shorter lines just first thing in the morning, also, but haven't had any problematic wait in the last few years if I just go in the entrance where you get off the metro. I was just there in July and didn't have any long wait, so I imagine mid-June would be the same. I would definitely avoid any free day whatsoever, though, those are horrific with crowds. I was there on Bastille Day once when it was free entry, and couldn't last more than a couple minutes before leaving, it was awful.
I just have certain types of art and periods I enjoy looking at more, so I look at the layout they give you, and go to those -- ie, sculpture, 18-19th Century, Medieval, some decorative arts. Those are my tastes, but other people might really be interested in the Egyptian stuff. I am, but don't spend my time at the Louvre on those as I've seen good Egyptian collections at many other museums, so I concentrate on what is only possible at the Louvre. I always try to see Ingres' Odalisque there, for example, althougyh it was out on tour or something when I was there last summer. They do have some nice Impressionist works there, also, although it isn't a very large collection as most is in the ORsay, of course.
I don't know about secret entrances, as I don't think any of them are a big secret, but I do think lines are smaller in late afternoon consistently. I've found shorter lines just first thing in the morning, also, but haven't had any problematic wait in the last few years if I just go in the entrance where you get off the metro. I was just there in July and didn't have any long wait, so I imagine mid-June would be the same. I would definitely avoid any free day whatsoever, though, those are horrific with crowds. I was there on Bastille Day once when it was free entry, and couldn't last more than a couple minutes before leaving, it was awful.
