Hi<BR>I was wondering if anyone had any info for those 3 hour guided tours of the Louvre. Basically we don't have too much time but we would like to see the popular pieces. I saw a posting that said to wait on line at the group counter but to try to set it up a few days before. Unfortunately we won't have time to do that. Just wondering if anyone has some alternatives or advice.<BR>Thanks<BR>Heather

Hi<BR>try looking at their website for the info<BR>www.louvre.fr<BR>You can also rent acoustiguides and with your own free Louvre map you could do your own tour

I checked ths site. There is actually a link to buy tickets online but not for that tour. I guess if anyone else has info let me know. I would like to avoid the long lines but I really would like to do that tour <BR>Heather

I am looking for information on these tours as well. Guidebooks list certain days on which English tours are available, but do not list times, subjects, or cost. When I go to the Louvre website and click on the English version and then on group tours, it says the information is only available in French. Does anyone have any more information? We do have several books with quite a bit of information regarding major works at the Louvre, but still feel we'd get a great deal more out of our visit with a guide of whom we can ask a few questions. We'll be there the last week in May. Thanks.

The tours in English are at 11, 2 and 3:45 every day and cost 3 euro. They are also at 11 am on these Sundays: April 28, May 26, June 16, 23 and 30th. They are only 1-1/2 hrs for the "Decouverte" tour (discovery) of major pieces. YOu can wait at the group welcome desk (Hall Napoleon under the pyramid) or buy tickets at that desk ahead of time (I think it says up to 14 days ahead). You can't do it by phone, except for Monday evening special theme lectures (which are in French). I see no info on 3-hr guided tours for the general public in English. You can buy tickets ahead at the "accueil des groups" desk from 9am-4:30pm on Tu, F, Sat and from 9am-7pm on M and W. I don't know any way of getting a ticket other than going there and doing it, although I suppose if you have a good enough Concierge, he or she could get them for you and it just involves going and buying them at the desk.

Christina, bless you for sharing this information -- you are a gem! People like you are why I love this forum so much. This really helps me plan my Louvre visit. I am copying your response into my file to print and take with me.

Thanks for that information. I was not sure of the exact time of the tour but the one you mentioned sounds like the right one. I will do my best to get them in advance. must check my map but I assume that the Louvre St Romain hotel should be located somewhere near the Louvre

You're welcome, I just got the information off the Louvre web site so can't judge its accuracy. The only tour I took was a private one, those can be nice if you have one with a good guide as there is no waiting to enter or standing in line for tickets. I've heard that those English tours go quickly so if you can drop buy a few days ahead to get tickets, I think it would be a good idea. There are a variety of other tours they mention, such as more detailed ones or theme lectures, etc, but they seem to be only in French.<BR><BR>Parisvision has an art highlights tour that includes Notre Dame and the Louvre, but it doesn't look that good to me for 49 euro--it seems to only include the 3 major works. I'm sure there are private guides somewhere else and through other agencies.

Heather<BR>I stayed at the Louvre St Romain years ago when it was just the St Romain.<BR>It was a nice little hotel and the location is outstanding. Not fancy, just pleasant and convenient.<BR>About a 7-10 minute walk to the Louvre.<BR><BR>The longest entrance line for the Louvre is the main one starting in the courtyard at the Pyramid. The line is long there because everyone's bags have to be run through an x-ray machine. A highly-recommended entrance is the underground entrance from the metro stop “Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre”. Either splurge and use a ticket to enter the metro or, if you are already coming off a metro train, exit at the far end of the platform where the sign says “direct access to the Louvre” and you will walk through a security check, then the Carrousel shops, and into the central ticket and information area. <BR><BR>If you enter off the rue de Rivoli across from the Palais Royal, you can also take the entrance via the Louvre Carrousel shops. If instead you walk under the archway, you will find a guard who will let you enter through an express escalator if you have the museum pass or an advance-purchase ticket. <BR>