How Long to Spend in the Louvre

Like many great museums, there’s a lot to see which gets overwhelming. The Louve has a top 10 list that is comprised of iconic pieces. Check those out then walk around with what energy you have left. It can be exhausting because the crowds are huge around those highlights.

Don’t forget to check out d’orsey and Rodan.

We spent a whole day there . It was sufficient .

4 hours is fine.

One thing you could do in the past: beeline all the way to the back to the Mona Lisa right after they open so you get past all the Chinese tourists. Then work your way back.

It’s a great museum.

Personally I preferred the D’Orsay better but that’s just more my style.

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Personally I preferred the D’Orsay better but that’s just more my style.

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Me too.

I generally look at the museum's web site to see what's in their collection, pick out the things of interest, and see those. I know it can be overwhelming, an sometimes you'll miss some interesting things that might not be on your radar, but if you don't know where to start, do that.

The French laugh at the American tourists as they zoom past masterpieces of art and sculpture to view the Mona Lisa. I have been to the Louvre several times and saw the Mona Lisa the second trip there. I kinda felt like someone at a funeral for a distant in-law, see it and then move along quickly. Famous. Small. Age-cracked. Beautiful.

Other DaVincis, Michelangelos, etc. abound. To the OP, it takes a good 2 days to see all. I don't recommend seeing all of it. Frankly, I can get "museumed out". Pick a theme, or floor, or era; then view those. The statuary was fantastic. The paintings that cover the walls as you meander toward the lines to the Mona Lisa have masterpieces galore.

As others have said, if museums are your forte, see the others too. All very good.

thanks again to all, we have 7 full days so plan on hitting all the museums and generally just rambling around Paris for the week.

Now working on food (searching some old threads here)

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My wife prefers the impressionist

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Musee D’Orsay is an absolute must. I preferred it over the Louvre.

In the middle of the Impressionists, there is a cafe where you can get anything from a coffee to a full lunch. Do yourself a favor and stop. Take a break. You will most likely need to take a breath because it has all been so overwhelming.

The second half starts you off with about two dozen Van Gogh paintings and gets better from there.

Don’t forget to look at all the nooks and crannies of the first floor, or you will miss some of the era’s most iconic paintings.

I’ve been to Uffizi & Accademia in Florence, Vatican museum in Rome, National Gallery in London, and The Louvre, but none of them are better than the Musee D’Orsay.

Stay until you get museumed out.
How long will it take you to see everything? There will not be enough time.
How long will it take you to see the big checklist exhibits? I would sat about 4 hours.

The Louvre may be the single greatest museum in the world, but there are many others in Paris such as D'Orsay, Marmottan, and L'Orangie to name a few.

Get a multi day museum pass to cut the lines.