Musee du Louvre: Is it about the Art or the Crowds?

IMG_0438

This morning, we went to the Louvre…somewhere I’ve always wanted to go…to see the World’s largest collection of art.   We arrived 30 minutes early,…skipped the lines with our pre-purchased Museum Pass…made our way inside the glass pyramids….ready to see historic treasures of art.   But before we could decide where to start, it happened.  Within minutes, MASSIVE swarms of tour groups of all nationalities, families from all over the world, couples of all ages, shapes and sizes began to spill down the escalators and fill the corridors like an invasion of insects.  I’m sure there is some time lapsed video available on line that represents this.  It happens so quickly.  Within minutes we were surrounded.  Little old grannies from Japan raised up their ipads to photograph any and every object hanging on the wall…whether it be a sign for the toilette, and exit sign…or a work of art…they don’t care…it MUST be photo documented for posterity.   And then there are the youngsters of all Nations who are required to take a selfie in front of every work of art.  And god forbid you approach a famous work of art….it is mass histeria…a recreation of the French Revolution itself!  You can’t see the work of art…you just see a sea of raised arms holding iphones and cameras…taking a picture.

We lasted about 90 minutes….but honestly, it was all we could tolerate.  The Louvre is just too big and too crowded.  The Art is almost obsolete when there are so many people surrounding it.  You can’t appreciate the details of a painting when a gaggle of grannies from Tokyo knock you out of the way to take a group shot.  It was too much for us!  But we did see some of the famous stuff….we did appreciate what we saw…and in the end…all 3 of us can see that we’ve been to the Louvre and that yes, we have seen the Mona Lisa (from about 30 feet away).

IMG_0497

The Mona Lisa…what can I say?  I really can’t.  Just take a look at this picture.  As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.

IMG_0502

I think for me, the Louvre (the building) itself was more interesting than anything.  It was, after all, the King’s palace before the French Revolution…and afterwards as well.  It’s super opulent, as is everything in Paris.  I found myself photographing the building more than anything else.

IMG_0426

IMG_0427

IMG_0450

IMG_0425

But truth be told, we did get to see some of the more famous works of art (Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory, the Mona Lisa, etc)…and we went into Napoleon the 3rd’s “Apartments” which were done in the 1860’s in the high Second Empire (super tacky) Style.

IMG_0437
Venus de Milo

IMG_0432

IMG_0493
The Winged Victory

IMG_0485

IMG_0483
Napoleon III’s apartments

IMG_0466

IMG_0471

IMG_0476

IMG_0509

IMG_0515

IMG_0510

IMG_0511

IMG_0520

IMG_0452

IMG_0450
We were already inside the museum when I took this shot…look at the line of people waiting to get in….

Up next…Josette and Lena went to the “Fair Rides” beside the Touilleire Gardens, and I took a walk down to the Pont Alexandre III to take photos.   Apparently, Lena had the time of her life and rode 4 “big girl” rides.  She is 100% ready for Disneyland on Thursday.   And I enjoyed a quiet walk down to the bridge with great views of the Eiffel Tower.

IMG_0655[1]

IMG_0656[1]

IMG_0526

IMG_0529

IMG_0530

IMG_0532

IMG_0542

IMG_0552

IMG_0556

IMG_0559

IMG_0564

IMG_0570

IMG_0576

IMG_0539

Next up was a visit to the Palais Garnier…the Paris Opera House (the setting for amongst other things, The Phantom of the Opera).   We expected opulence (it is Paris, after all) but this place was over the top…oozing with gold leaf and gilding and bling from one corner the other.  Beautiful, but in a beautiful-on-steroids kind of way.

IMG_0581

IMG_0586

IMG_0592

IMG_0596

IMG_0599

IMG_0613

IMG_0615

IMG_0619

IMG_0623

IMG_0600

IMG_0627

IMG_0631

IMG_0635

IMG_0632

IMG_0652

IMG_0655

IMG_0625

IMG_0657

And to end the day, we went to the famous Galeries Lafayette department store, right behind the Opera House.  It was built in the early 1900’s and has a HUGE round, stained glass dome over the main shopping area, which is in the round as well.  We did not do any retail damage here (the Euro is too strong against the US dollar) but we did window shop, and we rested our feet and had a nice cappuccino and a few pastries from the fancy eatery on the top floor.  Nice way to end another day in Paris.

IMG_1852

IMG_1845

IMG_1846

IMG_1854
View out of the top store windows looking up at Montmartre..and Sacre Coeur…from one of my earlier posts.
IMG_1855
Lena with a life sized Calico Critters

IMG_1856

IMG_0586

2 thoughts on “Musee du Louvre: Is it about the Art or the Crowds?

  1. How disappointing that you could not get any closer to the Mona Lisa. The crowds were insane!!!
    I like all of the photos of the buildings you visited.
    I am especially fond of the statues that line the top of so many of the buildings.
    Did you get to tour the underground lake at the opera house?
    I am sure Lena loved the life sized Calico Critters. I see that they still call the Sylvanian Families in Europe. That was the original name when they came out in the 80’s.
    I hope you rest well for your big day at Disney Land tomorrow! I can’t wait to hear what Lena thought of it.

  2. Too many..people!!! Nice pictures though!! I love the chandeliers..so beautiful!! Have fun tomorrow.. I know Lena will!!

Leave a Reply