overhyped, but worth a stop
Written: Nov 30 '99
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Product Rating:
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Pros: large collection, including some truly great works
Cons: overhyped and often overcrowded; can be overwhelming
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| Vicki's Full Review: Musée du Louvre |
The Louvre is huge, and a very popular tourist destination. I was, frankly, underwhelmed, but this may be because I'm spoiled. Yes, they have a good collection of Egyptian antiquities, but I live in Manhattan and can see an equally good one at the Metropolitan Museum of Art any time I'm in the mood. If, on the other hand, you're unlikely to find yourself in New York soon, that's not a vote against the Louvre.
If you're going to go, think first about what you want to see. Then call and find out if it will be open that day: when I went in, I discovered that an entire area, that devoted to French paintings, was closed. Fortunately, that wasn't my main reason for going. The entire museum is closed Tuesdays, by the way.
Second, use a little common sense. You probably want to see the Mona Lisa. Good. She's worth it. But if you've gone all that way, paid the admission fee, and quite likely waited on line, take the time to really *see* the painting. Edging your way to front and center, taking a quick snapshot, and leaving is pointless--but I saw a lot of people doing it. Since that's the usual approach, it's quite easy to stand a couple of feet to either side of center (still in front of, or right next to, the painting) and get a good, long look at the Mona Lisa. (Note: this was in late November, on a weekday; things may well be different in July. Even then, though, if it's worth looking at something, it's worth looking at it, not just checking it off on a list.) The same is true of the Venus de Milo.
Hint: you don't have to enter through the famous Pyramid. If you take the Metro to Palais Royale, the nearest station, there's an entrance directly from the station that bypasses one chunk of line. There's another in the Passage Richelieu. Again, this isn't a big deal in the off-season, but will be useful if you're traveling in the summer. The Passage Richelieu also provides a better view of some of the sculptures than you'll get from inside the museum, at no charge and at any hour of the day or night.
The Pyramid deserves its fame, but is best seen from the plaza outside, at night: it's lit up and beautiful, and the reflection in the surrounding pool makes it look like a perfect octahedron. If you want to see it from inside, though, use the side entrance anyway, and look at the Pyramid on the way out: there's no line at the exits.
Hint and request: your admission ticket includes a request not to take flash pictures. For everyone's sake, heed it. In the crowd, your flash is guaranteed to be in someone's eye. The extra light is bad for the art. And, the famous paintings, like the Mona Lisa, are behind glass, so using a flash is a sure way to ruin your photos. Besides, unless you're a professional, you probably can't get as good a picture as is available on the professionally produced postcards or in the art history books; save your trouble and spend a couple of francs on a postcard. And save the film for the stuff that isn't as easy to buy pictures of.
You can re-enter the same day with one ticket: if you get worn out, physically or mentally, go out for a while. Rest in the Tuilleries gardens (there are chairs around a nice fountain), or find a cafe or brasserie for a snack.
Recommended:
Yes
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Epinions.com ID:
Vicki
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Member: Vicki Rosenzweig
Location: New York, NY
Reviews written: 111
Trusted by: 39 members
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