Do you ever notice that the Louvre is a little bit like Ikea? True, there's no need for an allen wrench at the Louvre, but whenever I go there, I see families in distress, marriages falling apart, people standing in the middle of one gallery flummoxed as how to get to where they really want to be. Getting out can be as tough as getting in and you may end up in Mesopotamian sculpture when you thought you were headed for Old Masters, or in couches when all you really want to look at is bookcases. And the jockeying to read the signage in the special exhibitions is strangely similar to looking for a parking place in Ikea's lot on Saturday afternoon.
The whole idea of the Louvre may give you a headache. But since it's hard to imagine a visit to Paris without making a visit there, here's a few thoughts on how to make the experience less stressful. Go early. Enter by the Porte de Lions instead of from the Pyramide or the Carrousel du Louvre. Avoid the Mona Lisa. Check your extra bags and coats at no cost in the vestiaire. Sit down and rest in the Cour Marly and check out the offerings on the upper floors like the over the top Rubens cycle feting Marie de Médicis on the 2nd floor of the Richelieu wing. And if you never have to go to Ikea again, count your blessings.
9 comments:
going to the louvre and going to Ikea are the same...go early..my experience with the louvre was ..go in the middle of week at 9am...I had the Mona Lisa mostly all to myself and at one point was standing in a room full of Ruebens all alone ...and had the giant coronation of Napoleon all to myself...best to go alone as well..you can move quicker...oh and don't touch the toes of any statues...they are always waiting in the shadows to say "touche pas"
..the trick with ikea is to enter at the exit and the store backwards...as long as you know what you are after it's a snap.
bonne weekend Anne
I've only ever been to Ikea in Florida and, yes, it's like a giant maze. Almost like they don't really want you to find that for which you're looking. I expected the Louvre to be generally difficult to navigate because.....in France. I wasn't disappointed;
The girl in the bottom picture looks downright hostile.
Perfect analogy! My husband and I did what they tell you not to... The louvre all day.
We finally found a little alcove with benches in a sculpture gallery and took a wee nap. My best pictures from that trip were of the people visiting the louvre, humanity at its best and worst :)
Our best tip is to go on the days the Louvre is open LATE -- we managed to see most of it with a nice break in the middle to play in the Jardin and wander the haute coutre streets nearby devouring macarons and chocolate...
Not hard for me to imagine a Louvre-free trip to Paris, not at all. I did the tour in 1961 and haven't seen the need to go back through what must be 40 or 50 subsequent stays.
Debbie's Ikea tip is exactly right.
By the way, if Paris-lovers look at my thumbnail photo and think "I'm sure I know that place," you probably do. It's La Palette on R. de Seine, 6eme.
Q:
If you were to be in Paris for only a week and did NOT want to go to the Louvre, which museums would you suggest would be worth any hassle involved?
Great entry..alhtough the Ikea suggestion about entering via the exit as regards the 2 stores around Philly isn't necessary, especially with the location on the waterfront. It's never packed; must be the 3 exotic clubs down a block. Stripping and Swedish minimalist furniture don't seem to mix.
DarkoV: Good question and one that's tough to answer, mostly because Paris has many small museums that can be perfect if your interests mesh with their collection or special exhibition. For those who are intimidated by the Louvre, I recommend the Musee d'Orsay. Even if you don't care much about art, the building itself is spectacular. Places to check for special exhibitions include the Jeu de Paume, Musee Marmottan, Musee Galliera, Musee du Luxembourg, and the Grand Palais. And if you don't really care that much about art, skip it.
Buying your ticket to the Louvre ahead of time is the biggest timesaver. Tickets are good for a year so you don`t have to plan exactly when you want to go; they can be bought at FNAC and other places. They allow you to use the entrance reserved for groups and members where you usually zip right in.
Don`t forget Jacquemart Andre on your list of "other" museums.
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