First time in Paris. My daughter & I will be in Paris Dec. 7 thru Dec. 11 so while our time is short we want to make the most of it. Visiting the Louvre is #1 (probably we will do that on Monday) but can anyone recommend the best time of day to visit the Louvre -- is morning better than late in the day? I am also hoping that we will be able to get tickets to see Notre Dame since it's going to reopen on Dec. 7 -- I've read the info the NY Times had about the reopening but haven't been able to find any info on how to get tickets. We will be staying at a small hotel near St. Suplice (and about a 20 minute walk to the Louvre), so any restaurant suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.
Posted by
1024 posts
Here's Kim's very helpful information, which she posted a few days ago, about Notre Dame and what is happening while you will be there.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/france/notre-dame-re-opening-and-first-visits
Posted by
Irving
3326 posts
After visiting the Louvre twice once in the afternoon and again in the morning there is no good time to visit. It’s too bad so many people are allowed in at the same time because this place is jammed pack. Do find the coat check upon arrival so you don’t have a hot flash.
Posted by
1024 posts
The Louvre stays open until 9pm on Wednesday and Friday. I'd go in the evening. We did that on our last visit to the Louvre, and it was not bad crowd wise. But that was just before covid, so others may tell you that no longer applies. We skipped it in lieu of other museums on our visit this past April.
Posted by
Vancouver, BC
731 posts
Mondays can be particularly busy at the Louvre because so many other sights are closed so keep that in mind. A wonderful restaurant close to where you will be staying is Georgette.
Posted by
Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, USA
14969 posts
I'm an early morning person naturally so I always go for the earliest time slot I can book at the Louvre which is usually 9A. I just looked on the official ticketing website and 9A is still available on Dec 9.
My plan is usually to get there at 845 or so, enter at 9 or shortly thereafter, tour for about 45 minutes. Have a coffee and a croissant at Cafe Mollien which opens at 945 in one of the stairwells in the Louvre - Denon Wing, level 1 which is near-ish the Mona Lisa (if that is of interest), the French paintings and the gallery of paintings from British and American painters.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/restaurants-cafes#le-cafe-mollien
With your time frame I think Monday would suit best. I am trying to remember for myself not to book a big museum on my first full day in Paris. Even without jet lag I have some travel tiredness, lol!!
The first Sunday of the month is usually free entry to many museums in Paris. The Louvre does NOT participate in this, instead allowing people in on the 1st Friday of the month after 6PM so if you did think you wanted to do a big museum on that Sunday, the Louvre would be fine that day as well.
Posted by
OP
Arizona
5 posts
Thank you all for your insights, recommendations, etc.
Posted by
Portland, OR
67 posts
Have a look at Breizh Cafe: many locations, closest one to your hotel is at 1, Rue de l’Odeon. All day dining (more or less) great food, reasonable prices. I hope you and your daughter have a wonderful trip!
Posted by
Long Beach, Ca, usa
1522 posts
Karen F.
I second CorrieTen on Breizh Cafe. Good food, good prices, popular with the locals. Lots of good savory Breton crepes. Also, in St. Germain (as is one of the Breizh Cafes) is Cafe Mucha. Good food and service. We had lunch there and were very happy with it.
Posted by
Savannah, GA
1404 posts
I, too, am a morning person and like to arrive at the Louvre when it opens and get the sensation for at least a few minutes that I can be alone.
I also like to leave around noon-time and have lunch at Café Marly with an iconic view of IM Pei's pyramide.
Posted by
Florida (previously California)
4050 posts
Well, I am not a morning person and I go the Louvre as early as possible. In general, I have found that for crowded busy sights, arriving early is better.
Posted by
SoCal
1362 posts
If your plans don't currently include a visit to the Musee d'Orsay, please consider adding it, even in preference to the Louvre. I understand the attraction of the Louvre, but I regard it as a mediocre art museum because of the narrow scope of its collection. French military art of the 18th and 19th centuries predominates, and other periods and styles get relatively short shrift. It's also always crowded, and the Instagram Army invades it daily.
The Orsay is magnificent, with a deeper and broader display of styles and periods. Maybe my favorite art museum anywhere.