Paris - Is it crazy to skip the Louve?

In my opinion no one here can tell you what a "must see" museum is,, since personal tastes vary so much.. I would never in a million years bother with the Pompideau( sp?) or Orangerie if it meant skipping the Lourve.
You are aware the Lourve is open later some evenings, which then tends to be quieter, so it may be an idea to work it into the day you go to the Orangerie since they are so close. .I would aslo suggest if you do decide to see the Louvre that you predetemine two or three peices that really interest you and not try and get through the whole musuem!

Based on my limited time at the Louvre (two relatively brief visits), I'd say that it's the fact that the Louvre is so big that is more of a problem than the size of the crowds. The best use of one's time there is to focus on particular artists or particular works of art rather than just wandering from hall to hall. If there aren't any on your absolutely-do-not-miss list, you certainly could justify skipping the Louvre to have more time at other museums. Because I love Impressionist art, for me it would be criminal to skip the Musee d'Orsay. Since I love Monet, it would be equally criminal to skip the Marmottan. Since the Orangerie was closed for renovation both times I was in Paris, I'll be sure to go there when--not if--I am in Paris again. Since I especially love Matisse and like some of the works of other modern artists that are found at the Pompidou, I'll also be sure to return even though the majority of what is there is of little interest to me.

I had a short amount of time in Paris last summer and I went to the Louvre. I wish I hadn't. I actually got lost there and couldn't find my way out and starting freaking out. BUT aside for being claustrophobic, I wouldn't ever go back. The main reason being that that type of art doesn't appeal to me. I LOVED the musee d'orsay. I would really want to go back there. So I say it depends on your interests. But if you do go, don't trust the exit signs!! :)

Thanks for you thoughts. I'm thinking of following part of Rick's Louve tour on one of the evenings it is open. I'm getting quite overwhelmed at all my options in such a few days with so little time to plan so it's nice to get some perspective from others.

If you are a fan of a more modern era or school in terms of art, then ignoring the Louvre is not sacreligious. The Louvre is more than just an art museum....it's a repository for the history of humankind, from the first permanent settlements of the Near East around 8,000 BCE to the mid-19th century. Not only are there popular paintings and sculptures, but there are also textiles, accounts of ancient battles, bas-reliefs, pottery, furniture, tools, and thousands of other items that chart the growth of western civilization over the millenia. The major benefit of viewing traditional "art" at the Louvre is the way you can follow, for example, the development of painting through the earliest two-dimensional religious icons of medieval times, down to the romanticism of the 1800's....simply by walking from room to room to room. But it can be very overwhelming, so any visit on so tight a schedule has to be carefully planned so you get to see what you want to see. However, as I mentioned, if you have a more targeted interest in, say, Impressionist paintings, then leave the Louvre for your next trip, since it won't cover your particular needs....its collection comes to an end at about 1850.

Yes, Sarah -- just take it easy. Assume that you will return to Paris, and don't stress over seeing all the "biggies" (particularly museums) on one trip. I don't think it is absolutely necessary to see the Louvre the first time, read guidebooks and determine what art you most want to see. If you do go to the Louvre, go late in the day or evening -- I was there on Wed. eve in January, and it was almost deserted. You will do a lot of walking there no matter how well you plan - it will turn out to be grueling. I also think just seeing the pyramid, the courtyard, and walking from there through the Tulleries (to the Orangerie) is Paris strolling at its best. I'd say the D'Orsay is a must. The Orangerie is wonderful. If you love modern art go to the Pompidou -- or perhaps just seeing the outside of the building & fountains will be enough for this first time.
Cluny, Rodin and Carnavalet are great, but I would put these on the second tier-- depends on how focused on art you want to be -- there are so many other things to see in Paris too!

If you get the Paris Museum Pass, you can pop in and out as you feel like it. As a compromise with my travel mate, I actually did a fast and quick version of the Rick Steves tour of the Louvre (because my friend had been there before, I had not, we agreed on the "highlights" version). I did feel like I sprinted through, but I also saw the highlights I felt important to see (Mona Lisa, Winged Victory). I will go back some day to see the rest. We spent quality time at smaller venues like the D'Orsay, Cluny, and Marmottan.

I didn't see it on my first visit to Paris. It's really not criminal--more criminal is that so many people feel obligated to see the big sights even if they don't have a particular interest. After a certain amount of trips to Europe, you start to realize that you don't have to see every famous museum or cathedral--it's not a chore you have to do. Especially if you can't answer the question, "I am dying to see ____ at the Louvre," then don't!

Personally I would rather sit in a sidewalk cafe and people watch than visit the Louvre or really any museum.

Here's a trick: get to the Louvre when it opens. I was on a RS tour and as part of it we visited the museum with a guide. If you take a RS tour you'll quickly discover you don't want to stay up late at nite because they start EARLY every morning! But the point is we were inside the museum right at the start and it was pretty deserted. In fact in the room with Mona Lisa (normally packed with tourists) you could get right up to the ropes in front of the painting and look as long as you wanted; there were maybe 20 people in the gallery.

We were just in Paris last week and didn't make it to the Louvre. We had been there on a previous trip and decided to see some of the museums that we had missed, so went to the Orsay, Orangerie, Rodin, etc. We just said that we'd have to come back! Which is what we said when we couldn't see all the museums on our previous trip.
The l'Orangerie was small, but breathtaking, literally. Monet's Les Nympheas are displayed in two 4-paneled oval rooms. We were blown away and so glad we hadn't missed them.
By the way, the Louvre is open until 9:45 pm on Wednesday nights, I believe.
Just know that you'll get back to Paris and can see other things at another time...

"After a certain amount of trips to Europe, you start to realize that you don't have to see every famous museum or cathedral--it's not a chore you have to do." Beautifully stated, Christy! I remember some people giving me an odd look when, after my first trip to Paris, I stated that no, I did not see the Mona Lisa or Jim Morrison's grave (I've still never seen either). Sarah, it's your trip, see what you think you'll find most interesting.

Thanks again everyone! I've added it to my itinerary on Wednesday evening but will rework things if I decide to do something else. The beauty of this trip is I'll be traveling solo so I can change things at whim!

My personal favorites, as far as museums go, in Paris were Musee d'Orsay and the Picasso Museum. We did the Louvre - it was overwhelming and crowded, but for me - one of the must-dos (winged victory & Venus de Milo were SO worth it) Mona Lisa disappointed my husband -- I suggest doing as I did - go expecting disappointment and then you can appreciate it for the simplicity it represents.

The Orsay is fabulous. You've made your decision about the Louvre. Smart move for such a short trip. I encourage you to see the Rodin. As you wander through his home looking at his work besure to check out the small paintings in the room that looks out into the garden. Tres Bon.

My first trip to Paris, I got "museumed-out" trying to visit them all--now I try to avoid museums when in Europe! The Louvre is great, but it disappointed. (All except the Venus de Milo--my favorite!). If you're asking if the Louvre is skippable, it is. When I took my mother and sister to Paris on separate trips, neither was interested in visiting the Louvre, and we still had a great time. My favorite is the Rodin museum. The fountain outside the Pompideau is awesome, and I haven't been back to Paris since the Orangerie re-opened (so that would be my #1 choice--I'm jealous!). The Orsay is a neat building with great Impressionists. Have a great trip!

I did four days in Paris during my first visit there, and I spent a decent chunk of one day in the Louvre. I'd say it's a great place if you love art, and it certainly serves the best lunch on a tray I've ever had (ha).

But it's no good trying to jam too much into a short visit. I agree w/Rick that one should believe that they will return again to see even more of a place. So, perhaps you can do what you really want on your first Paris jaunt, and save the Louvre for your next visit.

Because as I found on my 2nd trip to Paris, I was much more relaxed because I'd gotten my newbie mistakes out of the way, and therefore felt much more comfortable getting around the city. That made it easier to take my time and enjoy the sites I skipped the first time.

We spent 4 days in Paris and never went to a single museum or art gallery. Of course it was Bastille Day and everyone was celebrating, but we just found so much other stuff to look at that we did not want to devote time walking around inside a museum. Know what else we didnt do? Go up in the Eifel tower. You could only go to the 1st level that day, so we decided we just would not go til we could go up to the top. I certainly do not feel cheated in any way and I do want to see those things, but have just saved them for another day. But we did walk up in the dome of Sacre Cour which was absolutely wonderful and gave us a beautiful view of Paris and hardly anyone talks about doing that. Oh, and if you ever have the chance to be in Paris for Bastille Day, take it. It was the best celebration EVER!!!

In a packed itiniery during my trip, I spent part of an afternoon at the Louvre, and I found the "Intro to the Louvre" tour to be very worthwhile, since it gave me some perspective about the history of the building (part of which used to be the royal palace) and provided an excellent orientation so I could find my way around. I also saw the obvious highlights like the Mona Lisa.

I returned there the night it was open in the evening, and brought my Rick Steves book with me, and stopped at some of the paintings he recommended.

I was personally a little disappointed at the Rodin and the Cluny museums.

What to see & do is really personal isn't it. I'm going to Paris for the 13th time later this month & I've never been to Versailles. I'm just not interested. Someday I'll go (& maybe wish I'd gone before). Sarah, why not devote your time to what interests you. If you're like me, some things will disappoint & some unexpected things will thrill. Travel's wonderful.

What you see and don't see is your personal choice and style. During our first few trips to Europe we had a personal policy of avoiding all but the smallest museums. It simply was a question of time allocation for us. Now that we been to many location several times, we are now doing the museums. For example -- we had probably spent three weeks in London over five or six visits but just on the last two visits have we started visiting the major museums.

It really is hard to decide what to do while in Paris. My 2 daughters and I loved the Louvre.The Venus de Milo & Winged Victory were worth it for us. We did see the Mona Lisa, just so we could giggle at how un-attractive and un-inspiring the painting was (sorry, Mona Lovers)We had a museum pass, so no linep.

Versailles, on the other hand was Incredible, BUT we all decided we would not go back.

No Matter what you see, you will have a wonderful time, It's Paris, how could you Not enjoy it. Just remind yourself that if you do not have enough time to see everything, you Just Have To Go Back !!

I hear what you are saying and I agree that your life will be the same whether or not you go to the Louvre or not. However, I would definitely not pass up the Louvre in favor of the Pompideau. I like modern art but found the Pompideau to be very dissapointing.

Maybe an online virtual tour of the Louvre would give you a feel for what you will be missing.

Sarah,

Since you have such little time, I'd suggest that you think about what kind of art you want to see. Then you can go to the museums that will give you the most pleasure. The Louvre cannot be properly done in less than a week unless all you want to see is the Mona Lisa. If you love the impressionists, as I do, I'd suggest the Orsay, and the Marmottan. The Rodin is part museum and part sculpture garden. Done thoroughly, the Orsay and the Cluny will take a half a day each, minimum. The Rodin and the Marmottan about 2 or 3 hours.The Pompidou, if you love modern art, is another half a day. BTW, including travel time, IMHO Versailles will take a long half a day.

By all means, buy a museum pass, its a great buy. It get you to the front of the line (marmottan is private so you have to pay separately). It is also good for popping in and out. Other than the area where the Mona Lisa is, the Louvre can feel almost deserted in the areas the tour guides don't go.

Have a great time, don't overdo it and remember, Paris will always be there!

Jeff