I read an article about skipping the main ticket booths (and lines!) and going to the Cour des Lions at the museum's SW corner and visiting the Richelieu wing and eating at Cafe Marly. How does that work with ticket prices? If we purchase there are we only allowed into a part of the museum? I have been once ten years ago and did the traditional path (Mona Lisa, Da Vinci, etc.) and want something a little less touristy..we are traveling with an 8year old too. Recommendations?
Posted by
victoria, Canada
11507 posts
Janna i have been using the shopping mall entrance off the Rue du Rivoli for the past 4 or 5 visits, and have encountered no lines to speak off. I enter the mall , which has a big awning over the entrance, and decend the escalator, then you walk straight ahead, where you will encounter the ticket machines to purchase tickets. Use cash. Then you walk to the entrance of security, hand them the ticket, wait five minutes for those in front of you to be cleared through ,, and viola you are in.
I have not used the Pyramid entrance in about 10 years. Everyone sees it and runs for it like its the only way in,,LOL
You can also enter by taking the metro and entering from the same level as mall, I have never done that.
IO know some people like to buy the Museum pass just to avoid the lines at the Lourve and the Orsay,, well, I arrive early at the Orsay, and I use " my " entrance at the Louvre.,, saved myself time and money.
Posted by
Paris, France
506 posts
Jeanne -
You can also enter from the Metro through the Carousel du Louvre (shopping Mall) directly - minimal lines here as well. Line 1 - Palais Royal Musee du Louvre - follow the signs to the Louvre. You can of course leave from the Pyramid entrance - escalator or stairs.
The Richelieu wing has a quick cafe as well as a restaurant but you are not in the museum area. You will have to tickets to enter. You can actually go to the cafe without entering the museums.
The Louvre has a helpful website -
http://www.louvre.fr/llv/commun/home.jsp?bmLocale=en
Look there for information about guided tours for "family"
I would recommend coming up with a theme if you intend to take your 8 year old with you. Something they would like to look for - like an I Spy game.
The Louvre itself unfortunately is touristy - early is better - Wednesday and Friday nights can be crazy with the reduced evening price