Louvre Museum, Paris
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Louvre - by Sasan Hezarkhani on Unsplash
Description
The Louvre Museum is the most visited art museum in the world. At any time, close to 40,000 objects are exhibited over an area of 72,000m². Originally a fortress, it was built in the late 12th to 13th century and lost its defensive function in the 16th century when it was converted into a Palace used as the primary residence of the French Kings - until the Palace of Versailles was built in the late 17th century. The Museum was born during the French Revolution and opened in 1793. The collection is divided in eight departments: Egyptian Antiquities; Near Eastern Antiquities; Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities; Islamic Art; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; Paintings; Prints and Drawings. Well-known art pieces include the Great Sphinx of Tanis, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Mona Lisa (Da Vinci) and Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix). Since 1988, the main entrance is through the Louvre Pyramid which was designed by I.M.Pei and has now become one of the city's landmarks.
Access & Transport
The Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre métro station (1, 7) is next to the entrance, Louvre-Rivoli (1) is at the back of the building and Pyramides (7, 14) is about 200m from the entrance. There are also bus stops along Rue de Rivoli. The main entrance to the museum is through the Pyramid.
Instructions & Recommendations
Make sure you book your timed entry ticket in advance, wear comfortable shoes and plan on spending at least 3h there (unless you have already been there many times). This activity is best combined with a walk and some rest in the Tuileries Garden before taking on the Champs-Élysées or a walk towards Place Vendôme / Opéra Garnier. Alternatively, the 6th arrondissement and Saint Germain des Prés is just across the Seine.
Environmental & Social
The museum scores well from a social and community standpoint as it has comprehensive employment and training policies and actions + it helps spread culture and the arts. Likewise, it has comprehensive environmental policies targeting reduction of energy consumption and CO2 emissions although recent data is harder to come by. One must bear in mind that the investments required to upgrade heating, ventilation, etc. in historical buildings is quite prohibitive.
Conclusion
The Louvre Museum deserves its popularity, so many artifacts and masterpieces in one location is quite incredible. Unless you care nothing for museums, then the Louvre should be on your itinerary. In fact, it probably deserves 2 or 3 visits and then a refresher every few years if you happen to be in Paris
Key positive
Beautiful building and the Pyramid at the entrance
Countless number of masterpieces and broad range of topics covered
Affordable entry price given the content and the popularity
Key negative
So much to see and standing that it gets a bit tiring
Lacks background information around the art pieces
Suitability
Suitable for all ages but children under 12 are likely to find it boring quickly Accessible to visitors with reduced mobility
About this Rating
TYPE
Onsite
RESEARCHED IN
May 2024
PROVIDER
Koreval
av. transport time:0h 20m
est. visit time:4h
Monday09:00 - 18:00
Tuesday -
Wednesday09:00 - 18:00
Thursday09:00 - 18:00
Friday09:00 - 21:45
Saturday09:00 - 18:00
Sunday09:00 - 18:00