We are going to tour Paris museums including Le Louvre and wonder what the rules are for carrying a backback? I usually keep a small knife for cutting cheese, meats, etc in the backpack as well. Will this cause a problem in the security check at the museums? It has been 13 years since we have been to Paris. Things have changed.
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Yes, it'll definitely cause a problem anywhere there are security scanners, like the Louvre. They had a painting stolen from there about a dozen years ago by someone who walked in with a knife and cut it out of its frame!
Posted by
vancouver, bc, canada
421 posts
I have a camera backpack and last time there were a few places where I had to check the backpack and take the camera through.
Does the louvre have a coat check...I am assuming as this was nice to walk freely without the pack and for the museume I only ever use the one lens.
Posted by
Fremont, CA, USA
16 posts
I recall Rick's book stating that the Louvre has a coat check that won't take bags, and a bag check, with less wait, that won't take coats (unless in a bag).
Posted by
Ottawa, Canada
4555 posts
Marc is right on....there are two separate checks...one for coats, the other for bags....so stuff your coat into your knapsack and make only one stop.
Posted by
Richardson, TX, USA
153 posts
In general they don't like backpacks in museums and will want you to check it. You can take your camera, but in some locations in the Louvre photography is not allowed any more. E.g., where the paintings are!
At the Pompidou Centre, the check room (with some fabulously fashionable attendants) is at the bottom level. They allow backpacks only if they are very small.
Posted by
University Place, WA
10 posts
My wife(the artist) and I spent 21 days in Paris and saw EVERY museum. She also bought many books that I had to carry around :(
Some museums allow you to carry the backpack in, other require you to check it. We never had a problem. With the possible exception of the Louvre, they usually seemed to care mostly about the camera that we had as they want you to buy stuff from their store at the end. We found that if the exibition is of their art you can take pictures and if it is a touring exhibit you can't. The usually let us carry the camera in and trusted us to not take pictures though.