Musée du Louvre

Advantages: So many things to see.
Disadvantages: Can be a little overwhelming.

...of ‘must-see’ places was the Musée du Louvre. I thought I would tell you all about it. --------------------- History The Louvre is the world’s largest museum and was founded during the French Revolution in 1793 in the former Royal Palace of Louis XIV. The original palace was started in 1200 and the most recent addition is Le Pyramide in Cour Napoleon, basically a big glass pyramid in the Louvre’s central courtyard. Added by former president François ...
...1989 but has now been taken to Parisian hearts. The museum has more than thirteen kilometres of galleries and holds more than 400,000 paintings, sculptures and objets d’arts. Only a fraction of these are displayed at any time. The collection really came into its own when Napoleon came back from his battles around Europe with wagons full of artistic bounty and this forms the backbone of the collection. Arrival and Orientation The easiest way to ... Read review

Advantages: Only place to see the Mona Lisa
Disadvantages: Very busy all the time

Musee du Louvre (Louvre Museum) Background The Louvre is the most visited and one of the oldest, largest and most famous art galleries and museums in the world. The first royal “Castle of the Louvre” was founded in what was then the western edge of Paris by Philip Augustus in 1190, as a fortified royal palace to defend Paris on its west against Plantagenet attacks. The first building in the existing Louvre was begun in 1535, after demolition of ...
...an exhibition). The architect Pierre Lescot introduced to Paris the new design vocabulary of the Renaissance, which had been developed in the chateaux of the Loire. During his reign (1589 – 1610), King Henry IV added the Grande Galerie. Henry IV, a promoter of the arts, invited hundreds of artists and craftsmen to live and work on the building’s lower floors. This huge addition was built along the bank of the River Seine and at the time was the ... Read review

Advantages: Stunning, world famous art, great value for money
Disadvantages: Numerous frustrations

Intro: The Louvre is one of those sites that is both inextricably linked to the word "Paris" and one that is simply not possible to miss when you go to Paris, along with such icons as Notre Dame and the Eiffel Tower. Boasting of one of the most impressive art collections in the world, the Louvre's collection does not encompass modern/contemporary art, but has rich offerings in the departments of antiquities and Renaissance masters. Chief amongst ...
...but other key pieces not to be missed are "Winged Victory of Samothrace" and the "Venus de Milo." ----------------------- (Some) Key attractions: If you want to visit the Louvre, now has never been a better time. After being housed in a temporary, rather dingy grey gallery off the long hall that houses the 16-17th century Italian paintings, "Mona Lisa" is now back in her rightful home in the newly restored Salle des Etats. Her new surroundings are ... Read review

Advantages: Good collection, interesting pyramid / palace combo for the structure
Disadvantages: Entrance fees, and the other visitore

Perceived by many to be home to one of the best art collections in the world, I would describe the Louvre as, well, not bad. Maybe that’s a little unfair – they certainly had some magnificent pieces on display, but the setting for these, when compared to some of the other galleries in the rest of Europe and America that I’d been to this year lacked a certain, something. That special je ne sais quoi (no objections - since we’re ...
...a gallery a wonderful visiting experience. It was back in 1190 that the then King Phillippe-Auguste ordered the construction of a fortress to protect the city. In the 4 centuries following, it was improved and enlarged by the reining monarchs. This building is now the Louvre gallery, which most recently (well 1989) had a huge glass pyramid added to the main courtyard through which visitors enter the main building. The collection here is pretty varied ... Read review

Advantages: Art
Disadvantages: Queue

The Musee du Louvre is an unmissable excursion for any one staying in Paris. It is basically a huge museum and art gallery in the centre of town. It is easy reachable by bus or on foot and even has its own Metro station, the station itself is worth a look (the poshest Metro station I have ever seen, with museum type displays along the walls). On one side of the Louvre is the busy shopping street of rue de Rivoli and on the other is the Seine, flowing ...
...francs after 3pm and on some nights the museum is open as late as 10pm. The place is huge, divided into three wings - Sully, Denon and Richelieu. The most interesting way to gain entry is through the glass pyramid in the centre of the three wings. It contrasts sharply with the old style grand architecture which surrounds it. What is in the Louvre? Well, what isn't? The place is huge, housing over 30,000 works of art and it is perpetually busy. The ... Read review