Museum of Art and History (Musee d'Art et d'Histoire), Geneva

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 the Old Castle (foundations of the Old Castle are now 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... Read review

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Advantages: Lots of good modern art
Disadvantages: May be very different when you go - mainly exhibitions!

...I visited Museu d'Art Contemporani de Barcelona last week, and found myself very impressed with the collections that they had to offer. It was the third art gallery I had visited in a week in Barcelona (after Miro and Picasso's collections), and, in my opinion, competed with both. The first impressions of the gallery are of the building's exterior. When it opened in 1995, many of the locals objected to the stark contrast the building with the surroundings. While I admit this criticism from residents, I found the white, glass, huge modern architecture to be inspiring and a breath of fresh air. Indeed it seems to reflect the modernisation and investment put into the Raval area over the past few years. Indeed the purpose of the building, according to the architect, was to "create a dialogue" between the museum and its surroundings... Read review

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Advantages: Lots to do Good climate Great Food
Disadvantages: Not the best beach in the world

...taste. One not to be missed is the Musée Matisse at Cimiez this houses the artists own collection and gets five stars from me. Next door is the Musée Archéologique which is also good but as I spent three years in Greece I  am a little jaded when it comes to classical artifacts. The Musée d'Art et d' Histoire on the Promenade des Anglais has some fine paintings and decorative arts. Musée des Beaux Art at 33 Ave des Baumettes houses a fine collection. Musée Chagall if you like Chagall this is not to be missed the series of paintings of old testament scenes is fantastic. I can not get my friend who usually accompanies me on these visits through the door, some people just hate Chagall. Musée d'Art Moderne this is close to the Place Garibaldi and consists of a collection of 1960 to now Pop Art and is ok if you like that sort... Read review

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