If you haven't heard of this art institution, you're potentially from another planet. And if you haven't yet visited it, the best strategy is to choose the sights you most want to see ahead of time, because the Louvre is so vast, you could spend your entire Paris vacation marveling at the wonders within. Most visitors flock to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory (translation: you'll be viewing these famous works from a crowd ten deep), while the French painters, Greek and Roman, and Egyptian wings are three of the museums best. The adjacent Jardin des Tuileries is an idyllic setting for a promenade or picnic.
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High marks as museums go
One of the worlds greatest museums, wonderful collections, Mona Lisa who knew it was so small a painting. You will find it quite large and so much to see but don't rush through.
Perhaps the Most Famous Museum in the World
I've visited the Louvre twice, and I have to be honest and say that I was overwhelmed both times. It's the largest museum I've ever been in. This is the home of the Venus de Milo and the Mona Lisa, among many, many other masterpieces. The Louvre has been open since 1793, and it attracts millions of visitors every year. To avoid the long entrance lines, you can purchase a Paris museum pass in advance. What I did on one of my visits was choose a tour from a Parisian tour company--it included a brief visit to several of the museum's famous works, as well as a fascinating tour of an underground area with a medieval moat dating back to the 12th century. While the Louvre is not my favorite Parisian museum, it's so famous that I just couldn't miss it.