Louvre

What is your goal with the Louvre? Are there particular exhibits of interest or do you feel you need to go there because it is so famous? The reason I ask is that my personal suggestion would be to skip it entirely unless it has been a life long goal to see it. The crowds really take away from the experience.

Instead, go the the Musee d’Orsay or one of the other amazing museums. Whichever museum you choose, timed entry as early in the day as possible makes a difference.

The museum is huge. You are going to have to narrow down what you want to see. I wanted to see Winged Victory, Venus de Milo and Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People and was thrilled to see. Pictures are never the same as seeing the masterpieces in person. If you are just interested in the Impressionists then the D’Orsay would be more worth your time, just my opinion. I did both museums.

Don't pass the Louvre, it's an icon. But do it smart. Figure out exactly what you "must" see and plan around that. Get your tickets for the very earliest entry, and head straight to the most important thing on your list. I've gone once a year for the past three years and still haven't seen it all. And I spend 6-8 hours in the place every time.

If you don't have anything specific you want to see just go straight to the top and work your way down. Another good idea is to have the party just split up and do what they want, and arrange to meet at a certain time. This is what a lot of the school visits do.

The special (temporary) exhibits always get crowded. As does the Mona Lisa. And for some reason the Egyptian stuff is often jammed.

Read the recent book, Adventures in the Louvre by Elaine Sciolino. It is top notch homework for a 1st timer like we were last fall.

The place is hot, huge, and full of mobs (especially in Mona's room). Speaking of, Consider reading Mona's Eyes by Thomas Schlesser. Fiction work about a granddad who takes his going-blind granddaughter to Orsay and Louvre to soak in the great works before her sight is gone. It's basically art history rolled into a semi-decent narrative. And lastly, I would seriously consider reading the Journal of Eugene Delacroix translated by Lucy Norton. I began reading it after our trip was complete and it has allowed the beauty of Paris and the Louvre to yet continue in my mind and heart.

Search this forum for a post called "Adventures in the Louvre" The Consultation Room by user vandrabrud.

I recommend the Welcome to the Louvre tour given by the Museum's own guides in English. You would then have free time to circle back or go see other items of interest. I think this is particularly good with teens because the headsets will help focus their attention.
These do sell out quickly.
https://www.louvre.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/guided-tours/welcome-to-the-louvre

I love the Louvre and go at least once on each visit, often more than one time. I agree that the crowds can work against you which is a good reason to book a tour. I've done several guided tours of the Louvre when I was on Rick Steves tours but don't have any recommendations for a private tour guide. The tours booked thru the Louvre are said to be good.

I also love the Elaine Sciolino book mentioned by WanderingPickle. It is a really interesting look at this huge museum and as a "serial visitor", hahaha, has given me some ideas on themes for my own visits. Yes, I am looking for animals in paintings on my next visit!

The Louvre website also has some DIY guided tours available on your phone. Are either of your kiddos girls? If so there is an interesting visitor trail on the concept of Beauty thru the ages. I stumbled on it accidentally when I was in the Egyptian wing and wondered what a QR code was for. It's slightly difficult as the pieces are spread out thru the museum.

https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/visitor-trails

I think the bottom line is...is there a particular piece of art work or works in the museum that you really want to see or are you going because you think you should? In your other thread you mentioned you would be in Paris for 3 days so there is plenty to do to take up your time if you decide not to go this visit.

If there is a particular piece of artwork, let us know what it is and we may be able to give you strategies to get to it. My personal favorite is the Vase d'Alienor, a vase owned by Alienor d'Aquitaine and given to her first husband on the occasion of their wedding in 1137!

Also, know that the Louvre is closed on Tuesday BUT there are gallery closures every day of the week so if there is a particular item or time frame that is of interest to you you'd want to be aware of that.

https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/list-of-available-galleries

editing to add: I'd looked for the family guided tour before I first posted but the Louvre website is almost as complex as the museum itself, hahaha. Anyway, here is the link. The family tour is for 6 and older so that may be too young for your kiddos?

https://www.louvre.fr/en/exhibitions-and-events/guided-tours/louvre-family

I agree with Elizabeth. Unless you have specific interests consider the Welcome to the Louvre tour.

Also, don't forget the history of the Louvre itself. Your kids might enjoy walking the medieval moat from the 12th century in the lower level of the Sully wing.

Thank you all for the advice. The Louvre has been on the bucket list, I realize it's going to be crowded. We took the forum's advice when we visited the Vatican and booked the private, early morning tour and it did not disappoint. I was wondering if they offer anything like that at the Louvre, but the welcome experience looks like it will suit our needs. Thanks again!