What is the best way to avoid the long lines to get into the Louvre ? <BR>

The absolute best way is to get a Carte Musee, which will allow you to enter at most sites in and around Paris without waiting in line. Terrific for entering Versailles as well. You can purchase them here or get them at most major sites. They will also save you lots of money if you are going to be in Paris for any length of time. Another way is to go early or late just after the museum opens or before it closes. If you go late though, I don't think they allow people to enter within the last 1/2 hr. to 1 hr.

Hi, buy a Paris museum pass at any tourist office. This is good for numerous museums throughout the city and allows entrance without the lines. For the Louvre there is a special entrance in a walkway to the Seine side of the main entrance. I can't remember exactly how to get there but another poster prabably will. This pass is worth every penny!

Stan, take a look at www.conciergerie.com/main.htm. This will tell you more about how to use the pass and lists places that you can use it.

Stan, <BR>Take a look also at www.intermusees.com for information on Paris museums, passes, opening and closing hours, etc.

Hi Stan - <BR> <BR>Not only do you need to get the pass, I would recommend going into the Louvre from the underground shopping complex. <BR> <BR>That's how we have gone both times we've been. The first time was an accident. Then, we realized how easy it was and did it that the the 2nd time on purpose. The metro will let you off and the signs tell you where to go. You'll walk through part of the shopping area and then end up under the pyramid. <BR> <BR>Ditto about the pass; it's a must! <BR> <BR

lynn is quite accurate. There are two ways to get out at the Louver metro stop. The one that goes to street level will cause you to be in long lines to get inside the pyramid. The one through the arcade goes directly under the pyramid

The other really good idea re. visiting the Louvre is to go on Wednesday evening, when it stays open until 9:45 p.m. We arrived around 7 p.m. and walked right in (with our pass, of course!). There were no crowds anywhere, and many of the others visiting were art students -- it was interesting to peer over their shoulders as they worked, to see their interpretations of the masterpieces. The d'Orsay is open until 9:45 on Thursday nights; we found these options good evening activities for our teenage children. And there are still lots of places for a late dinner, after the museums close.

Stan, there are also entrances on each side of the Arc du Carrousel. They take you down into the shopping complex and from there to the museum. <BR>

Definitely buy the pass! As pointed out by other posters, there are special entrances AND if you want to go in Wednesday night for an hour or two, you won't feel as if you're wasting money. <BR>Our trick is to arrive about 10 minutes before opening; no line, no crowds. You're out just about the time the busloads show up... And thanks, Harriet, for the heads up about Wednesday night. I never went then 'cause I figured it would be mobbed.... oooo the Louvre at NIGHT! Interesting to see things with a night sky instead of sunlight ....makes me think the d'Orsay would be very cool at night, too.

The Orsay is very nice at night, Elvira. We went on our first night in Paris, a Thursday, the one night it is open late. It wasn't too crowded, and from the windows you could see Sacree Coeur off in the distance.

Dan! Harriet! You just solved the problem of how to squeeze in the d'Orsay on our next trip!! I've seen it several times with sunlight pouring through the glass roof, but with Sacre Coeur off in the distance....I'm all excited...