How do you work your way through the entire louvre?

It just depends on how long you plan on being in Paris. There are so many good museums in Paris, I would suggest that you not spend too much time in the Louvre. For me, I can see most of the interesting things in 4 or 5 hours. Remember you still have to see the Musee Picasso, Musee Rodin, D'Orsay, the Modern Art Museum at the G. Pompidou Center (the building is amazing by itself) and for me the Musee de L'Orangerie was a marvelous place to experience great impressionists.

We are going to have 40 days. I want to work my way through everything. The museum pass is only good for six days. I don't want to rush through. I want to go slowly through all of the different museums but can't figure out how to do it inexpensively. I will hit the sites as well (Notre Dame, St. Chapelle, Eiffel, etc.) but want to take time in the museums - not only highlights - like I did when I lived in New York. I kept memberships and went often. Thanks.

You will certainly have enough time then...I've been to the Louvre 4 different times...(over a 35 year span). Each time I spent about 4 or 5 hours...it seemed about right...it mostly depends on the crowds.

Thanks, but do you know of a way to do it without paying a fortune? How many days should I plan on and is there some other pass that would allow me to go in a lot over those 40 days? And, I guess I need this info for the other museums as well.

Thanks.

You could become a "Friend" of the Louvre. This gives you a membership card that allows free access for a year. We did this some years ago and it was well worth it. I will check the Louvre web site and see if I can find the information for you. It is much cheaper than buying a lot of Museum Passes.

I keep trying to post a reply and it never appears!!
Will try again.

There is an organization called La Societe des Amis
du Louvre which we joined a few years ago so that we could have unlimited access to the museum. It is like becoming a member of the Met. Museum in NY for example. We got a membershup card which gave us unlimited access to the museum for a year. At the moment, there is not much information on the Louvre web site but I shall keep trying to find some info for you. I also believe that they have reciprocal
privileges with some other museums. I think it cost about $60-75 but that is when the Euro was much lower!

That is so nice of you. I really appreciate it. I tried to figure it out on my own and couldn't. I thought someone here would know. Thanks again.

The Museum's website gives a pretty good rundown of all the collections available. Don't forget, the Louvre has material from the earliest civilizations in the near east all the way up to paintings of the mid-19th century....that's a lot of material! If you wish to focus just on paintings, and a particular era or two (anywhere from the 13th-19th century,) you should be able to plan your visit from the material based on the website, including a massive searchable database, and floorplans to tell you exactly what you'll find where. You may also need permission if you wish to sit and sketch any of the paintings. I would think two full days should satiate your desires, possibly three. With the six-day pass, you could alternate days with the other fine museums available. Outside of that, the daily admission would probably be the best way to go to add extra days...9 Euro (about $15) per day. http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en

OK I found the website and individual membership costs 60 Euros; there is a special rate for another member of your family who resides at your house. You can join on line. They show a sample membership card.
Unfortunately the home page indicates a English version but I cannot get it to work so have had to read it in French, which I can do more or less!!! I tried copying the website address but it wouldn;t work. But you can Google La Societe des Amies du Louvre and you will find the web site. If you have any other questions, please contact me privately. This membership also allows you to visit the Musee
Delavroix in the Place de Furstembourg which is a delightful snall square off the Blvd. St. Germain.

If you are 26 or younger, The Musee D'Orsay has a special card called the MuseO and it costs 18E. check out the museum website at www. musee-dorsay.fr
and select English. You can actually buy this at the Museum or order ahead of time. Sounds like a really great deal to me but I am much older than 26!!!!!
When you get on the web site, either select the search option or look for a chice called Supporters (I think).

I wish I were 26! Nope. I need another option. Thanks!