Louvre Museum, Paris
Do you believe that the Louvre is probably the greatest art museum in the world, with its vast size and overwhelming richness? If you are interested in the fruits of civilization, from its antiquities to the significant developments in the 19th century, then you must visit this wonderful place in Paris, France.
Brief History
The Louvre Museum started as a public museum in 1793, with 2,500 paintings, of which number has grown to some 30,000 today. The most popular of these artworks from antiquity include the “Jewels of Rameses II”, the “Seated Scribe”, the “Venus de Milo” and the “Winged Victory of Samothrace”. From the Renaissance Period, you should not miss don't miss Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa”, Michelangelo’s “Slaves” and works by Raphael, Titian, and Botticelli. There are also masterpieces from great French artists of the 19th century, including Géricault’s “The Raft of the Medusa”, Ingres’ “La Grande Odalisque” and the works of David and Delacroix.
The museum was then rejuvenated with many newer and renovated galleries that are open to the public, thanks to the Grand Louvre project.
Taking the Museum’s Walking Tour
A small group walking tour of the Louvre Museum helps you explore the collection of paintings, architectural works, and sculpture with an expert local guide. The number of tourist for the group is limited to a maximum of 25 to ensure that everyone will be receiving personalized attention from the guide.
Basically, this tour was designed to highlight the most famous works of the museum, entering through the original medieval structure from the 12th century. With the guide, you will embark on a journey from one breathtaking gallery to another, traveling through time and visiting works of art from 450 BCE through the 1800s. The highlights of the tour include viewing of the “Mona Lisa” and the “Venus de Milo”.
When making a reservation, make sure you do it ahead of time, so that you will not be wasting any time waiting in line.
Visiting the Louvre at Night
You can choose to take a guided evening tour in the Louvre Museum, which is an opportunity that is available for a strictly limited season. This will let you experience certain magic about the Louvre during nighttime when its corridors are quiet, its artworks are looking mysterious in low light and its atmosphere is more relaxed. Lit from below, its exterior is also breathtaking, making the old palace to appear contemporary, with the dazzling pyramid reflecting in the pond and bringing in a glamorous ambiance.
Top Highlights of the Museum
The palace of French kings is admired of the world’s finest art it displays. However, there are those that will really catch your attention. One is the Grand Entrance (the Glass Pyramid), which is a masterpiece of architecture. The pyramid floods the space with natural light, offering a better experience for the people who are waiting in line. Another highlight is the Medieval Louvre (the Foundations of the Palace), which reveals the ancient foundations of the medieval fortress. Here, you will see the vestiges of the dungeons, medieval moat and the Salle Saint-Louis, which is an interesting space full of the remains of rib-vaulted support columns.