The Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, et al
 

One of our primary aims in Paris is to do the museums. Any advice on this?

Tom, <BR> <BR>Unfortunatly when I traveled to Paris, I had a limited amount of time and didn't get to make it to Orsay. I did however go to the Louvre and it is fabulous!!! I could have literally spent weeks in it, it is so large. My suggestion would be to make sure you get a map of the museum and select particular sections and areas that interest you most, as you will probably never have enough time to see everything! Of course, make it to the Mona Lisa, but there is also so much more there to see. There is something for everyone! Have a great trip!

Hi, Tom! <BR> <BR>Everyone has their own favorites. Last October my wife and I went to the Louvre, D'Orsay, and walked the gardens at Rodin. <BR> <BR>One thing we would do different next time is spend more time in the Louvre. It is the greatest by far and you could spend forever in it. To me, there is no comparison even with all the other neat museums in Paris. <BR> <BR>My vote would be to devote as much time to the Louvre as you can! <BR> <BR>Enjoy!! <BR> <BR>Bob

When you arrive buy the Museum Pass. Unlimited entry to about 70 museums and no waiting in line - just show the pass and go. You can get it for 1, 3 or 5 days. Date it the first day you start using it. With it will come a listing of all the museums on it. For more Paris information e-mail me - [email protected] <BR>

I am getting mixed messages and am look- <BR>ing for clarification. Are the museums workers on strike? Will we not be able to visit the Louvre, Musee D'Orsay, et al?? Secondly, what good would a museum pass be if we cannot visit the art museums (the whole point of our journey!) Any assistance would be gratefully received - we will be there mid - June and then again, in early July.

They are always on strike. Most of the time its a one day strike.

Got back from Paris 2 weeks ago and yes, the workers from the Louvre and Versailles were on strike. It was very inconvenient - we had to call each day to find out if the museum was open or not. Some days they let visitors in for free (since they were striking) and some days visitors couldn't get in at all. Went to Versailles and luckily got in for free the day we visited, but it took 3 days of trying to get into the Louvre before they let visitors in (again for free). Of course, the days the Louvre was closed everyone walked over to the Musee d' Orsay, so it was busy! Hope you don't have many problems, because you'll have a great time anyway.

I haven't been to Paris in about seven years, so I hope this info is still accurate. One of my favorite museums in Paris is the Jeu de Paume, near the Louvre. It contains some lovely Renoirs and has Monet's Water Lilies that were commissioned by Clemenceau. The Water Lilies are displayed in the downstairs section of the museum. They surround you. It is very relaxing. A friend who was in Paris in April said the Jeu de Paume was closed at that time for renovations or something.

It took us until our third trip to Paris to see the d'Orsay, and it should have been at the top of our list. The building alone is worth the trip. Definitely see the Lourve, and as Shannon suggests, pick sections to see unless you have multiple days to spend there. Check to see if l'Orangerie in the Tuileries has re-opened yet. We have also see the Picasso Museum - the neighborhood alone is worth the trip there. We also enjoyed the Conciergerie, where Marie Antoinette was imprisoned. There's no art, but again, the building itself is the museum. Hope you have a great trip.

I went to Paris three weeks ago, didn't get into either of them as the lines for them were very long. I went to Musee Rodin instead. It was very relaxing as there weren't many visitors. I am going to Paris again in a week's time, shall buy the museum pass. Thanks for the information Fred.

Reading Meg's posting, I just realized that I was thinking of l'Orangerie, not the Jeu de Paume. I guess it is time for me to make a return trip to Paris! <BR> <BR>I agree that Orsay should top the list. Aside from the great artwork there, you will find some great views of Paris from the second floor windows.

Tom: <BR> <BR>No question that the Louvre, Orsay and Rodin are must sees. On our recent trip we visited the Musee National du Moyen Age Thermes de Cluny. Had wanted to go there the last time we were in Paris, but time did not allow. We very much enjoyed it--a combination of Roman baths, home of the Abbots of Cluny and the unicorn tapestries alone are worth the trip. Not as popular, so not as crowded.

There are so many great museums in Paris. Just a warning, no matter how wonderful they are, after a few days of museum hopping anyone will get sensory overload! The D'Orsay is perhaps the most beautiful and user friendly. The Louvre is fantastic, but overwhelming.

Hi Tom, <BR> <BR>It's hard to compare the Louvre and Musee d'Orsay for reasons of size alone. I am a big fan of Impressionist art and loved Orsay. One of my all time favorite museums is Musee Marmottan (sp.?) in one of the outer arrondisements. My friend who had been to Paris before and never seen it loved it. It has Monet's water lilies, the famous painting "Impression Sunrise" and the famous Rainy Day in Paris painting. The huge water lily paintings really took my breath away!

Definately go to the Louvre! Enter through the Carousel Shopping Mall and you will beat the horrid lines that amass outside by the pyramid. Bring your own bottled water as there are no water fountains. For an inexpensive meal eat at the upstairs food court in the Carousel. They have everything from crepes to Morrocan food. The D'Orsay is amazing, if you are into art deco or noveau furniture/object d'art, check out the galleries on the top floor. Another great place is the Cluny museum, where they keep the unicorn tapestries. Another fun excursion is going to the Marais area, walking up rue rosiers (enjoy the great kosher food) and then to Rue Du Temple and going to the Jewish Museum. I believe the Carnavalet and Picasso museums are in close walking distance also.

I don't if anyone has mentioned this yet, but always get to the museum and be in line when the doors open. I've done this at the Louvre and the d'Orsay, as well as museums in other cities, and it works well. You really do miss the crowds. Then take an early lunch and continue your tour while everyone else is having lunch.

We are going to Paris in October an I'm concerned at to how we will get to the hotel from the train station. Can anyone help me. There are six adults.

Vicki, <BR> <BR>Commuting in Paris is probably one of the best systems in the world. The metro goes to all of the train stations. It's your best bet.

When you buy a museum pass in Paris, keep in mind, there is not really much in the way of signage to let you know you can go to the front of the line. Don't be shy and wait in those long lines - go on up to the front first and show your pass to the guard and they will show you where to go.

Tom <BR>I have a lot of info on museums in my Paris file <BR>If you'd like to have it, email me