Hello. I am traveling with my 2 college-aged children the middle of March for 6 days. We have a whirl wind trip planned. Because of this, we are packing very lightly with all of our items in school-sized back packs (or book bags). My question is will we be allowed to entire most European monuments carrying these? For example, can we bring these into Le Louvre? Thanks so much!!!!!
Posted by
Newport Beach, CA, USA
769 posts
Some museums/palaces etc have lockers by the entry that may require to put cameras and bags there. Not sure on the Louvre - some one will reply im sure soon. In Britain - long ago they just searched the bag before entry to the big British Museum... but they probably have lockers now too. If they are not over stuffed - you may be fine (like a camera and guide book sized bag). If youre able to leave it in the hotel - and just take the essentials for the day - snack/jacket/camera and a book/bottle of water etc... that will help in the crouded places! Have Fun!
Posted by
OP
Davenport, IA, USA
14 posts
Thanks for your help!
Posted by
Vernon, Canada
32363 posts
Rebecca, I can't recall what rules are applied at the Louvre, however some galleries are VERY strict. Which destinations will you be visiting?
The Borghese Gallery in Rome (for example) requires all purses, backpacks, Cameras, etc. to be checked. Most sites (including the Vatican) require all items to pass through an airport-style scanner. One other point is water bottles. One of the Galleries in Florence (Uffizi?) didn't allow water bottles when I was there last year.
As someone else suggested, you might want to leave any "luggage items" in your Hotel room while you're touring Museums.
That's a long way to go for only six days!
Happy travels!
Posted by
Boston, MA, United States
1806 posts
I was just in France, England, Ireland and Belgium this summer. There were only 2 places that made me check the small back pack/book bag I carried around daily and both were in Paris (The Rodin Museum and the Cluny). However, EVERY museum in Europe had a guard that made me take the pack off and unzip it so they could look inside - and a few of the larger museums or monuments make you put your bag through the scanner.
Some museums make you take the pack off your shoulders and carry it in your hand while you stroll through the galleries. So if your pack is very heavy, you might want to hit the coat check and give them a euro to hold the bag while you tour.
I was able to get into the Louvre no problem with my pack after going through the security checkpoint and I was sure they would give me a hassle about leaving it in the coat check, but they didn't.