I learned a few important things before we left to go to Paris. First, since we are technically residents of the EU, the boys are admitted to all the museums for free! (Yeah! More in the budget to shop!) Second, we were going to be in Paris the first Sunday of the month, when all the museums have FREE entry! Keeping those in mind, there was no way that we could do the 4 museums that I had on the list in one day. The boys would have revolted!
I actually felt that the entry fee for myself to all the museums to be very economical. The most that I paid was 11 Euro, and that was for the Louvre. I really think that the museums are a great value. Especially when you consider all the famous works of art that the museums hold. There is also the niggle that some of the museums in the US can be quite costly (while some are completely free).
So, after our day of Rodin and the Jardin du Luxembourg I told the boys we were headed to the Louvre. Their reaction? Well, definitely a bit of protesting. My oldest son reminded me that I had said we would only do one museum a day. I had to explain to him that I had too many museums on my list and not enough days, so we were going to have to do two in one day. The Louvre was open late that night, until 20:45 (8:45), so, we headed over.
A quick tip. If you are going to the Louvre, enter though the metro. It is easier, less lines, and there are some cute shops and eateries that you can find in the mini mall. We grabbed a bit to eat again, heading back to the golden arches (pretty shameful huh?), I HATE McDonalds, BTW, I promise! It is the language issue. I admit that I freaked because I do not know ANY French (which is again my own fault). The McDonalds had a machine that allowed you to order and NOT TALK TO ANYONE! Also, the McDonald's in France does serve tasty food. So, we are at McDonalds for the second time, meh!
After we ate we headed to the Louvre. First though we made a restroom run. If you had a receipt from an eatery, it was free. If not you paid .80 Eurocents. Here I need to add that I have a policy about paying for the bathroom. I detest it. Again, I am a spoiled American.
Then we headed to grab my ticket. I also got the Audio guides. Which was kind of a hit with the kids as it was a Nintendo 3DS. So, they used them to listen to about various art works while we wandered through the museum.
The Louvre is HUGE. We had three different options for our audio tour. Because we were going into the museum as the last part of out day, I looked at the map and decided that we would do the paintings and then call it a day. So, we headed first to the Mona Lisa.
After we saw her mysterious smile, we headed across the museum to the German, Norwegian, Danish and other artists. It was then that I realized that the Italian artists are generally not my favorites. I think more so because I prefer to see images of real life, not of what an artist has perceived a biblical story looks like. I am also a fan of the Impressionists, which is a contrast to the Germanic styles of Vermeer.
The Louvre is also great because they allow photos without flash. Some of the museums had a total ban on all photography. Not that it stopped people.... but that is a story for another post!
We only went though a small portion of the many wonders of the Louvre. The kids got their fill (and then some) and I am content with the knowledge that I will go back again and see more of the fabulous treasures!
I actually felt that the entry fee for myself to all the museums to be very economical. The most that I paid was 11 Euro, and that was for the Louvre. I really think that the museums are a great value. Especially when you consider all the famous works of art that the museums hold. There is also the niggle that some of the museums in the US can be quite costly (while some are completely free).
So, after our day of Rodin and the Jardin du Luxembourg I told the boys we were headed to the Louvre. Their reaction? Well, definitely a bit of protesting. My oldest son reminded me that I had said we would only do one museum a day. I had to explain to him that I had too many museums on my list and not enough days, so we were going to have to do two in one day. The Louvre was open late that night, until 20:45 (8:45), so, we headed over.
A quick tip. If you are going to the Louvre, enter though the metro. It is easier, less lines, and there are some cute shops and eateries that you can find in the mini mall. We grabbed a bit to eat again, heading back to the golden arches (pretty shameful huh?), I HATE McDonalds, BTW, I promise! It is the language issue. I admit that I freaked because I do not know ANY French (which is again my own fault). The McDonalds had a machine that allowed you to order and NOT TALK TO ANYONE! Also, the McDonald's in France does serve tasty food. So, we are at McDonalds for the second time, meh!
This was actually taken the next day, my camera died as we were leaving.
Then we headed to grab my ticket. I also got the Audio guides. Which was kind of a hit with the kids as it was a Nintendo 3DS. So, they used them to listen to about various art works while we wandered through the museum.
I had to take a photo of this one just because of all the crazy controversy about breast feeding! It's art!
The Louvre is HUGE. We had three different options for our audio tour. Because we were going into the museum as the last part of out day, I looked at the map and decided that we would do the paintings and then call it a day. So, we headed first to the Mona Lisa.
After we saw her mysterious smile, we headed across the museum to the German, Norwegian, Danish and other artists. It was then that I realized that the Italian artists are generally not my favorites. I think more so because I prefer to see images of real life, not of what an artist has perceived a biblical story looks like. I am also a fan of the Impressionists, which is a contrast to the Germanic styles of Vermeer.
Vermeer, The Lacemaker
We only went though a small portion of the many wonders of the Louvre. The kids got their fill (and then some) and I am content with the knowledge that I will go back again and see more of the fabulous treasures!
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