Le Musee Louvre

Today we ventured to the Louvre. We had been waiting for a rainy day, but so far the weather has been fine and sunny every day, but very cold. The water in the fountains is staying frozen all day now (see photo), as it is in some gutters.

We arrived at 12.30 and were very impressed by the new foyer facilities, including the glass pyramids. The pyramid entry was very controversial when it was built in the later 1980's, but we think that it treads so lightly on the "place" that it does not detract from it at all, and the amenity that it adds is extraordinary compared to what was there previously. Only the French would have the daring to attempt this modernisation, and they have done it with spectacular success.

We walked in direct from the Metro station. Thank you Neryl for the ticket you gave me allowing Clare's free entry, so we only had to pay for Mike's entry. No queues, buy your ticket with credit card at a machine etc. Moreover, 9EUR for all day multi-entry such a huge and fantastic museum is very reasonable.



One real bonus of the 1980's redevelopment was the excavation of the "medieval Louvre", now a fanstastic exhibit under the courtyard of the Palais du Louvre. It was via this exhibit that we actually entered the museum proper.

This museum is so large, and of such grandeur in its buildings, and contains so much fantastic art, that it is literally overwhelming. One just cannot believe how beautiful it is, inside, outside, all over.

We stayed inside until 3.30, when serious fatigue set in. After a walk in the fresh air, and afternoon tea at Angelinas, one of the lovely tea rooms of Paris (claimed to have the best hot chocolates in Paris), we ventured back to the Louvre as it is late opening on some nights, and stayed till 8pm. We think we covered about one third of what we want to see, it is such a luxury knowing we can go back several times, at our leisure, given the length of our stay in Paris.




Last time we were staying in Paris was 1981, and the Louvre was on strike for the entire week we were there, and we (and Ben) had to make an overnight trip on the Orient Express from Munich to spend a day there, so did not see all that we will this time. We covered most of Pavillon Sully and some of Denon, including the Mona Lisa (now housed in a much larger and no doubt more secure space), Egyptology, and galleries of the very large french format paintings, mostly about the revolution. This includes the fascinating Delacroix barricade painting which featured on one of the old Franc notes.

From the Louvre, we choose to walk home along Rue de Rivoli which goes all the way into the Marais, shopping for dinner on the way, in the crisp night air. The ladies of Paris are tres chic, and Clare is looking in the shop windows with interest. The boots and coats of the Parisians are to die for, Clare is very envious, but it is never cold enough at home to wear them, although you certainly need them here in a Paris winter.

At night, the Tour Eiffel twinkles in the dark, and the beautiful lights in the trees lining the Champs Elysees flash like shooting stars. All the buildings are lit to highlight them, and they are gorgeous.