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Why you'll love the Louvre Museum
Imagine being inside one of the largest museums in the world, where if you were to see everything, you would have to walk over six miles!
But its size doesn’t seem to scare off too many visitors. Every year, the Louvre welcomes over 7,000,000 people in its galleries from all over the world. Although the Louvre has over 35,000 pieces of art, the unmistakable “favourite” (or at least the most seen) is the Mona Lisa. Even though it is not quick to get to Leonardo's painting, it is easy to find: just follow the herds of people.
Once you have seen the Mona Lisa, don’t be scared to see what else this museum has to offer. From Egyptian and Greek antiquities, Louis XV’s jewelled crown, 19th Century paintings, and even the Medieval Palace that the Louvre now sits on, this museum has such a large collection that it would take you over ten days to see everything. Just remember to wear your walking shoes!
During the Middle Ages, the king, who was feeling a little threatened by his Anglo-Norman enemies, decided to build a fortress, which later was called the Louvre. (You are still able to see part of this Medieval Fortress on the lowest floor of the museum.)
Take Metro 1 or 7 to PALAIS-ROYAL and use exit [7] Le Carrousel du Louvre, Musée du Louvre.
To avoid the long lines and the crowded rooms, come after 6pm on Wednesdays and Fridays when the museum is open three extra hours. It will also cost you less. Note: Every Friday after 6pm, it is free for those under 26.
To avoid the lines any time of day, look for the automatic ticket machines. There is usually a shorter line than the ticket booths and the machines take cash or credit.
For those of you who are looking for all the Da Vinci Code secrets, there is now an audio guide you can rent for a few euros that has been narrated by the French actor Jean Reno. (Captain Foch himself!)
In the 1500’s, the King of France decided to make the Louvre his castle and began the building of “Chateau Louvre”. The castle’s size and its art collection grew with each passing king. By the time the king Louis XVI made the art display open to the public, quite a number of famous paintings had been collected. (By this time, the royal family had moved to Versailles.) In 1848 the Louvre became the property of the government and became what is now known as the Louvre Museum.
In 1989 the Louvre received a new aspect to it when a large pyramid of glass was built in its courtyard. As many French people would say, it is a modern structure that ruins the face of the Louvre, but you might agree with us, it is quite a beautiful sight!
