jessvs

We'll be in Paris from March 7-19.

Trying to find out about the best day/time to hit the Louvre.

As far as musuem-goers, we're not exactly art connoisseurs, but we're certainly interested in spending solid half-day covering some highlights of the greatest museum in the world.

Your help, as always, is much appreciated.

marginal_margiela

I work in the art world and I can tell you that after 2 hours of looking at paintings and statuary, everything else viewed will become a giant blur.

Pick the art that you want to see--Italian Renaissance, for example--and skip the rest. You will get more out of the experience. Better yet, hire a guide.

It is best to avoid the Louvre on a Saturday morning. Go after 3 PM.

melissa19

one or two evenings a week, the entrance fee to the louvre drops to about 6euros. i think it's around 6pm, and the museum stays open until 9 or 9:30. we went right around that time, and were able to walk right up to the mona lisa with maybe ten other people. i hear crowds are much worse during the day.

have fun! we'll be there the week after you.

Christina

I don't think it matters that much for your time frame, but I'd go on a weekday, and it generally is less crowded in the evening (you can go at 5 pm and then to dinner afterwards), or go first thing when it opens. You'll have to check the evening hours if you are interested in that, I don't recall which days have them.

The Louvre has a lot of holdings, but I don't think any one museum is the greatest in the world (and the Louvre is not my favorite). One could argue what your opinion is based upon -- the collection, the exhibits or curating, the building, displays, community ties and education or public access ability, programming or what? I think it is one of the greatest, though, but the Met in NY and Smithsonian Institution (which is several museums) do some things better.

jessvs

Thanks to all

PalenqueBob

there's an old saying that since Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, a pent up demand of tourists comes on Wednesdays..and Monday also as folks know they can't go onb Tues. Doubt that this matters much in March however.

i often walk by the Louvre's main entrance and it seems lines are longest right after opening in the morning and way down in the afternoon.

WallyKringen

Entry is free on the first Sunday each month, and on July 14.

Age 25 and under (moins de 26 ans) get in free on Fridays after 18:00 (closes 21:45).

Wed. and Fri. after 18:00 it costs 6 Euros, closes at 21:45.

At other times it costs €8.50.

These do not include access to Hall Napoléon or Musée Delacroix.