Two of the most popular museums in Paris are the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Nurture Happiness Today TRAVEL shares some pictures and tips for planning your own visit to the spectacular museums.
Louvre
The Louvre is the most visited art museum in the world and it is also the largest museum in the world! The official website indicates there are over nine million visitors per year who visit the museum.
The museum covers an area over 650,000 square feet (approximately 61,000 square meters). The historical site is home to famous works such as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
Despite advance tickets for a specified time, we still had to wait in a lengthy line to enter. There are security checks and ticket confirmation required for entry. Nonetheless, the Louvre is a must-see attraction during your visit to Paris, filled with masterpieces, treasures, and collections to explore!
Plan Your Visit
If you book a guided tour, check if they already include the admission tickets with the tour. Also, museum admission tickets and time slot reservations can be booked online directly at the Louvre’s official online sales site.
At the Louvre, visitors can rent an audio guide at the museum. Alternatively, guided tours are available directly with the museum or with external tour providers. Guided tours can definitely provide ease for such an extraordinary, large museum, as well as valuable insights on the masterpieces. Of course, choose what is best for you…we choose a combination of guided tours and self guided tours on our travels depending on the activity and venue.
The museum is open daily except Tuesdays. It is not possible to see all the museum has to offer in one day! Therefore, you may want to take some time to plan your visit as the Louvre is extensive. There is so much to see and explore!
Some popular guided tours available, with over one thousand reviews:
- Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour with Venus de Milo & Mona Lisa
- Louvre Museum Paris Exclusive Guided Tour With Reserved Entry
Also, options for private tours, with reviews, for the Louvre:
- Paris Louvre Museum Must See Skip the Line Private and non Private
- Kids and Families skip the ticket line Private Louvre Tour Paris
Louvre Collections & Famous Works
The Louvre has a vast collection of art from around the world that includes paintings, sculptures, artifacts, jewelry, documents and more. In addition, there may be temporary special exhibits available during your visit.
Some of the famous works that we made sure to see at the Louvre included the following:
• Mona Lisa – expect crowds and a line up to see one of the most famous paintings in the world. We did wait in line to see the masterpiece up close, painted in the sixteenth century by Leonardo da Vinci! The Mona Lisa is in the biggest room in the museum and displayed in a protective glass case.
• Venus de Milo – the large marble sculpture was discovered in 1820 in Greece. The statue is believed to be Aphrodite, the goddess of Love, known to the Romans as Venus.
• Winged Victory of Samothrace – the large Greek statue at the top of the Daru Staircase, represents the goddess of victory and is made of white marble.
• Great Sphinx of Tanis – the sculpture is a sphinx, a creature half human, and half animal. It was discovered in the ruins of a temple in Egypt and is made of granite.
There are many more masterpieces and collections that we saw that are not listed here. The Louvre is an extraordinary museum that we hope you enjoy exploring too!
Be sure to visit the area in the evening as well to take photographs! The Louvre illuminated is stunning!
Location: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
Website: www.louvre.fr/en
Musée d’Orsay
The beautiful museum displays art mainly from the period ranging from 1848 to 1914. It is the second most visited art museum in France, after the Louvre. Although much smaller than the Louvre, it was a must visit for me particularly as I love the works of Monet and Renoir!
Although you can purchase tickets on site, we recommend buying tickets in advance. Nonetheless, we still had to wait in a lengthy line. A security check and ticket confirmation is required prior to entry.
At the entrance, be sure to stand in the appropriate line. There are four different lines for visitors (e.g. visitors with tickets with time slots, visitors buying tickets on site). The museum is closed on Mondays.
Guided tours are also offered directly and by external third parties if interested. A few popular tours available for the museum, with hundreds of reviews:
- Musée d’Orsay – Skip-the-Line Impressionists Guided Tour
- Musée d’Orsay – Semi-Private 8ppl Max Reserved Entry Included!
The museum includes displays of paintings, sculptures, photographs, architectural art and more.
The building was originally a railway station. The interior is just as beautiful as the grand exterior.
The museum has one of the largest collections of Impressionist art in the world. Works include art from Claude Monet, Auguste Renoir, and Vincent van Gogh.
In addition, there is a bookstore near the entrance for souvenirs. There are food options available inside the museum including a restaurant and cafe.
The Musée d’Orsay is definitely a worthwhile visit for art lovers. As such, plan to spend at least three hours here to explore the amazing works of art!
Location: Esplanade Valéry Giscard d’Estaing 75007 Paris
Website: www.musee-orsay.fr/fr
Ticket office of the Musée d’Orsay: https://billetterie.musee-orsay.fr/fr-FR/accueil
Also, for free admission details, please confirm with the official websites for requirements at the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay. Details, times, and information may be updated and change.
The Louvre and Musée d’Orsay are stunning museums in Paris that showcase masterpieces and extraordinary collections! Have a wonderful visit!
Additionally, for a guided tour that combines the Louvre and Musée d’Orsay, with hundreds of reviews:
- Combined small group: Louvre Museum & Musée d’Orsay (Reserved Entry Included) – Semi-Private 8ppl Max
The visits described in this article were self-funded. The views and opinions expressed through this website are from personal experience(s). Our content and this article is informational only, not facts, and cannot be construed as professional advice. We always give our honest opinions on topics, experiences or products, made in good faith. Any product or service claims, made by the product or service, should be verified with the manufacturer or provider in question. There may be potential errors on our website, for example due to changes and unintentional mistakes. Thank you.
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