Traveler DescriptionHome to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Louvre is considered the world's greatest art museum, with an unparalleled collection of items covering the full spectrum of art through the ages.
Address: 99 rue de Rivoli
Phone: 33 01 40 20 50 50
http://www.louvre.frTraveler ReviewsMy Favorite Part of Paris
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Oct 12, 2008
The Louvre is breathtaking, inside and out. As a building, it is one of the most incredibly beautiful anywhere. I also went to Versailles, and I thought it was nothing compared to the Louvre (which was originally a palace, after all). The museum is especially gorgeous at night, when the whole plaza is romantically lit. I don't care what anyone else says about the pyramid entrance, I think it's stunning, and the underground entry complex is highly efficient. As for the art contained inside, there is more than one could contemplate in a lifetime. We visited the museum twice during our one week in Paris. (If I had my way, it would have been daily, but alas, such is marriage.) I wasn't particularly impressed with Mona Lisa, but Winged Victory is astounding. Before you go to the Louvre, bone up on your art history just a tad. You will find that there are priceless masterworks in the museum that very few visitors know about. I had Da Vinci's Madonna of the Rocks all to myself- no one else was even looking! The same went for Michaelangelo's Bound Slaves, Vermeer's Lacemaker, and many others. These are brilliant, famous works, and they were all mine because the throngs go to the three "ladies of the Louvre." Also, take a little time to see one of the off-the-beaten-path galleries. I had a blast looking at ancient time pieces and navigational tools. Don't plan to do it all at once- buy a Paris Museum Pass and go back a few times. It's open until 9:45 pm on Fridays, so consider a night-time visit as well. Enjoy!
Not a favourite
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 29, 2008
The Louvre didn't amaze me to be honest, perhaps it was because i went at the end of a long day but it definitely didn't appeal to me really! The paintings are nice to look at...for a while...but I can't see how more than a couple of hours could be spent looking at them! We rented the audio guides and I definitely wouldn't do that again, only a few of the paintings were actually included on the guide and it cost an extra 6 euro to buy it!!! It's made out to be a must see in Paris but I thought other places like les invalides were more interesting really!
overwhelming in a good way
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 23, 2008
This is another of the can't miss things to do in Paris. The building, the exhibits, the size, just beyond what you can imagine. The only negative we found was that it was confusing getting from point a to point b, and we rented the audioguides and wouldn't do that again.
Amazing museum
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 17, 2008This museum lives up to its reputation. There are some wonderful artefacts and pieces to see, take your time to appreciate as much as you can. The building itself is also impressive.
Wonderful Building and Great Exhibits
Reviewed by A TripAdvisor Member on Sep 13, 2008Did the typical thing and went direcly past go to see the Mona Lisa. More interesting to see the crowd looking at the Mona Lisa. However, what was stunning was the Louvre building itself, starting with the Pyramid, but really coming to the fore with the halls and hallways. Went to the Denton wing initially and there are some very nice areas to sit and take in the scenery when your feet begin to give way. Lifts available if you look for them for those with problems with stairs. Went to the north area to look at the Dutch, German painters and were rewarded with some wonderful portraits and landscapes, a nice relief after all those spanish and italian paintings of angels etc...
