Paris – Louvre Museum with Kids

The present-day Louvre has been the result of a series of successive building projects completed over the past 800 years. (Wikipedia page). It is located on the Right Bank in the 1er arrondissement between the Rue de Rivoli and the Seine River, the same river that flows to where the Eiffel tower is. Home to many notable works of art and perhaps the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre used to be a palace under the reign of Philip II.

How to Get To The Louvre

We arrived in Paris coming from Marne La Vallee via RER at the Opera Station. We transferred to Line 1 and alighted at Palais Royal Musée du Louvre.  Hubby brought his navigator so it didn’t take us much time to find the museum. We had some photo op on the way, which I will upload in the following posts. The closest Paris Metro stations to the Louvre Museum are Louvre Rivoli and Palais Royal Musée du Louvre. These are both on Line 1  which travels underneath Rue de Rivoli.

And while walking to the Louvre, we discussed how it is correctly pronounced. Loov? Louv-reh? Louver? Well it’s Loov (English) and Loov – ruh (French).

^An antique dealer’s shop opposite the Louvre. We were quite ecstatic seeing this, we actually thought that this is the musem. lol.  That’s hubby and son #1 by the Louvre’s (Half) Pyramid at the courtyard. The pyramid is the main entrance to the Louvre itself. The main lobby is actually below the ground.

Walking a bit further and to the front of the antique shop is a courtyard, turns out that is the French consulate. Opposite is the entrance to the Louvre.

The inscription at the entrance of the Louvre Museum caught my eyes immediately. The French Rennaisance style easily seen as its influence. I’ve forgotten now how much we paid for the entrance…though we had to wait a bit in line before we got in. It is best to buy in advance! (Click the link below to get your ticket.)

Book  Your Louvre 2-Hour Private Tour for Families&Kids here.

The museum is free for children under 18 years of age. It is also free for adults from the European Union under 26, just show an ID when you enter.

How to Navigate the Louvre Conveniently

It is not a surprise to find a long queue when you get to the pyramid, as mentioned, the main lobby is located there. Thus, we recommend entering through either the entrance at Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre metro station, or at 99, Rivoli Street. If you opt for a guided tour, make sure to clear out with the guide where you should meet up/start.

Cooperate with the security personnel once you get in. This will make things easier for you and other patrons or art enthusiasts.

^View from inside the pyramid, though this is when were going up already. Escalators and elevators are available for use. One could just be awed at the magnificence of this vast infrastructure whether inside or outside. The Louvre is definitely one of our favorite museums.

Antiquities

Great sphinx of Tanis

 This is one of the largest sphinxes outside of Egypt. According to archaeologists, certain details suggest that this sphinx dates to an earlier period – the Old Kingdom (c. 2600 BC).

Sculptures

Greek sculptures

Venus de Milo

Niké en chiton ionique

La Joconde

The Mona Lisa. Perhaps the most famous painting in the world, a portrait by Leonardo da Vinci of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo, that has been finally established as a fact just this month. The La Joconde has been subject to many critics and research and at one time; a robbery. Thus, it has been displayed at the museum’s Salle des États inside a purpose-built, climate-controlled enclosure behind bullet proof glass. A wooden rail prohibits the viewers from coming too near the painting. But the guards were so kind to have let us go past it, really thankful!

Painting on the ceiling…

This could be of Roman origin. The most extensive royal abode I visited with gold plated on wall edges is Vienna’s Schönbrunn Palace, its ballroom’s ceiling is also painted but without gold in it so I was in awe at this display…I sadly forgot now where this one actually came from.

The temptation of Jesus Christ

While Jesus is depicted in this painting as the long-haired guy we all came to believe, and Satan the devil having black wings and naked – this is far from what could have been their appearances per Bible history.

Having been born in Bethlehem, in Palestinian territory nowadays, Jesus would have looked like – well, Palestinian.

Satan on the other hand is a result of the era that was the Dark ages. In order to sow fear among the people, he was drawn to  inspire that. This is one of the many absurd teachings not found in the Bible…like he resides in a fiery hell to torture the bad people who died (lol).

What the Bible says of him though is: “Woe for the earth . . . because the Devil has come down to you.”—Revelation 12:12.

Sit and Enjoy

Buy Paris City Pass here (Free Admission + Travelcard) here.

By the way, Jean Reno who played Bezu Fache in the movie Da Vinci code which was set at the Louvre, did a narration: the Da Vinci code soundwalk for the museum. The audio guide gives the listener historical facts and meanings of many paintings at the museum.