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See the Great Masterpieces of the Louvre
Published by Elaine Wong, Writer
Country: France 
The Experience
For art lovers, there is something magical about the Louvre Museum in Paris. Though it is not the largest museum in the world (that distinction belongs to the Hermitage), it is the most visited. Part of the fascination stems from the unique architecture of the Louvre. Not many museums in the world were once palaces, and even fewer have the long history of the Louvre. Beginning as a fortress in 1190, the French monarchs continued to expand the Louvre, even serving as the royal headquarters until Louis XIV moved his household to the Palace of Versailles. Visitors today can still see the foundations of the original fortress, and the magnificence of the medieval French court can easily be imagined while strolling through its marbled hallways.
Another reason for its enduring appeal are the artworks hosted inside the Louvre. The museum hosts 35,000 pieces from prehistory to the nineteenth century, and has all the Renaissance masters under its roof. It is commonly said that to see every piece of artwork will take at least a month. For most tourists, a more abridged visit is a necessity, and the museum offers multimedia Louvre guides that give 2-3 hour tours.
The most famous painting in the Louvre's art collection is undoubtedly the "Mona Lisa", recently reawakened in the public consciousness (assuming it ever went to bed) by the Da Vinci Code. It's in a room of it's own, off the main galleries, but impossible to miss due to the crowds. A more tranquil viewing experience can be found in the next room where "The Virgin and Child with St. Anne", also by Da Vinci, hangs. Another Louvre painting that should not be missed is "The Coronation of Napoleon", which should really be called the Coronation of Napoleon's Empress, Josephine. The artist changed the composition after realizing that there was no one with the authority to actually crown the emperor, and had the emperor crowning his empress instead. The painting dominates by its size (ten meters by six) as well as its content.
For those interested in sculpture, the "Winged Victory of Samothrace" stands on top of the Daru staircase, welcoming visitors to the Louvre's sculpture halls, where Michelangelo's "Slaves" and the "Venus de Milo" can be seen. Where people are often surprised by how small the "Mona Lisa" is, the opposite is true for "Winged Victory". Even headless, It stands over ten feet tall. The graceful wings adds to its presence, yet everything is so perfectly proportioned that it never feels overlarge. Rather, it's the people around it that feel disproportionately small.
Once finished strolling the galleries (when all the art starts blurring together), stroll outside and look at the famous Louvre pyramid built in 1989. It's actually one large pyramid surrounded by twenty-two smaller ones that dot the grounds. Whether you agree with the architect that the pyramid unites all the architectural elements of the museum, or agree with its critics that it is a disruptive scar in the middle of the Neoclassical buildings, the pyramid is sure to arouse opinion. Finish by either shopping at the immense shopping arcade under the Louvre, or walking along the Tuileries Gardens where marble statues recline beneath trees.
Another reason for its enduring appeal are the artworks hosted inside the Louvre. The museum hosts 35,000 pieces from prehistory to the nineteenth century, and has all the Renaissance masters under its roof. It is commonly said that to see every piece of artwork will take at least a month. For most tourists, a more abridged visit is a necessity, and the museum offers multimedia Louvre guides that give 2-3 hour tours.
The most famous painting in the Louvre's art collection is undoubtedly the "Mona Lisa", recently reawakened in the public consciousness (assuming it ever went to bed) by the Da Vinci Code. It's in a room of it's own, off the main galleries, but impossible to miss due to the crowds. A more tranquil viewing experience can be found in the next room where "The Virgin and Child with St. Anne", also by Da Vinci, hangs. Another Louvre painting that should not be missed is "The Coronation of Napoleon", which should really be called the Coronation of Napoleon's Empress, Josephine. The artist changed the composition after realizing that there was no one with the authority to actually crown the emperor, and had the emperor crowning his empress instead. The painting dominates by its size (ten meters by six) as well as its content.
For those interested in sculpture, the "Winged Victory of Samothrace" stands on top of the Daru staircase, welcoming visitors to the Louvre's sculpture halls, where Michelangelo's "Slaves" and the "Venus de Milo" can be seen. Where people are often surprised by how small the "Mona Lisa" is, the opposite is true for "Winged Victory". Even headless, It stands over ten feet tall. The graceful wings adds to its presence, yet everything is so perfectly proportioned that it never feels overlarge. Rather, it's the people around it that feel disproportionately small.
Once finished strolling the galleries (when all the art starts blurring together), stroll outside and look at the famous Louvre pyramid built in 1989. It's actually one large pyramid surrounded by twenty-two smaller ones that dot the grounds. Whether you agree with the architect that the pyramid unites all the architectural elements of the museum, or agree with its critics that it is a disruptive scar in the middle of the Neoclassical buildings, the pyramid is sure to arouse opinion. Finish by either shopping at the immense shopping arcade under the Louvre, or walking along the Tuileries Gardens where marble statues recline beneath trees.
When to Go to Louvre Museum
The best time of year to experience a Louvre tour is during the spring. Paris is coming out of hibernation and into full bloom during this time of year, but is not yet overrun with tourists.
Odds n' Ends
The Louvre Museum hours of operation run from 9 am to 6 pm, except for Wednesdays and Fridays, when the hours are extended until 10 pm. It is open every day of the year, except for New Year's (Jan 1), May Day (May 1), August 15, and Christmas (Dec 25).
Louvre tickets to the permanent collection cost EUR $9.50(USD $12.50), and combined tickets to the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions cost EUR $14 (USD $18.50).
Admission is free for anyone under 18 years of age, for EU citizens under 26 years old, and for disabled visitors. Admission to the permanent collection is free on the first Sunday every month and on July 14th.
Multimedia guides can be rented for EUR $6 (USD $8) for adults and EUR $2 (USD $2.50) for children under 18. The multimedia guides are strongly recommended since they show interactive maps of the museum.
Coat and luggage checks are available for free under the Pyramid (the Hall Napoleon).
Louvre tickets to the permanent collection cost EUR $9.50(USD $12.50), and combined tickets to the permanent collection and temporary exhibitions cost EUR $14 (USD $18.50).
Admission is free for anyone under 18 years of age, for EU citizens under 26 years old, and for disabled visitors. Admission to the permanent collection is free on the first Sunday every month and on July 14th.
Multimedia guides can be rented for EUR $6 (USD $8) for adults and EUR $2 (USD $2.50) for children under 18. The multimedia guides are strongly recommended since they show interactive maps of the museum.
Coat and luggage checks are available for free under the Pyramid (the Hall Napoleon).
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