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Benefits of a Baby Stroller at the Louvre

Just returned from Paris, was a surprise trip for my wife and we took our 3 year old daughter.
Over the course of the trip sometime our stroller was a pain in the rear and sometimes a blessing, no more so than at the Louvre.

Getting on and off transit like busses, trains, many shops are small so getting a stroller in and out of stores as well as many areas lacking lifts or escalators was the main reason the stroller could be a pain but on this day it proved otherwise.

I did not originally prebook tickets to the Louvre in advance for this trip, as our daughter has not been good in museums and just was not positive if my wife would want to go or not that being considered so felt the half day or so may be better spent at the Luxembourg Gardens. Figured we would definitely walk by and see the pyramids outside of course.
Off course once we got to Paris, my wife thought I was insane for thinking we would skip going inside the Louvre.

The morning started with us debating over taking the stroller or not, we decided we should.
Seemed a good idea for the Louvre but not for other stops for the later part of the day.

As expected there was a long line snaking quite a distance outside the Louvre pyramid. I had heard a short cut is to go to the mall underneath and buy tickets from the tobac shop there and enter that way for a shorter line so we were just about to head that way when we were signaled over to avoid the line entirely and immediately enter since we had the stroller.
We were whisked into the building and into a circular lift that led to the ground floor, with a much faster and escorted entry than even those with Paris passes receive.
Basically anyone with a stroller is treated the same as the handicapped and get this service.

So word of advise if headed to the Louvre with a little one, bring that stroller!

Posted by
11507 posts

Good tip.. it also keeps tots contained so they don't run amok in the crowded interior..

I often wonder however.. why so many couples believe they have to be together every moment with a child.. When visiting Louvre one parent takes child to playground in Tuilleries Gardens for an hour or so.. then perhaps a walk along the souvenir shops and a stop for a snack.. while the other parent gets a peaceful 2 hours in the Louvre without having to deal with a bored child.. then they can switch up letting the other parent go in the museum .. and then that parent can return to hotel for childs nap ..

We raised three kids and used the switch off method for many things..

Are some adults uncomfortable being alone, even for 2 -3 hours. ?

Posted by
10208 posts

Good to know. Where can we borrow a toddler?
And the best bonus is when the little one falls asleep in the stroller and you can really enjoy the museum.

Just a note for your next trip: if you have a quality umbrella stroller in Paris rather than one of those big bulky ones, it's a lot easier dealing with everything you mentioned. We always had McClaren umbrella strollers.