The Louvre Travel Guide

5) The Code of Hammurabi

This is a well-preserved written legal code carved on 8-foot high monolith, believed to be the earliest of its kind. It dates back to 1772 BC and contains the ancient version of “an eye for an eye,” and is believed to be the forerunner of both Jewish and Islamic legal systems. The more merciful Talmud can be found on the same floor.

Location: Ground Floor Richelieu Wing, Room No. 3 (Near Eastern Antiquities Department/2nd and 1st millennia BC)

6) Liberty Leading the People

This painting by Eugene Delacroix is a depiction of the revolution in 1830, known as Trois Glorieuses (Three Glorious Days). It evokes the ultimate expression of French patriotism and shows the Paris uprising of July 27-29, 1830 which brought down Charles X, the last Bourbon king of France.

Location: 1st Floor Denon Wing, Room Nos. 75-77

7) The Raft of Medusa

This painting is considered a major French art work and icon in Romanticism. The artist delved into the human and political story behind his work that depicts the wreck of a frigate with 150 soldiers hoping to be rescued off the coast of Senegal in 1816.

Location: 1st Floor Denon Wing

8) The Seated Scribe

This sculpture, one of the most important monuments of ancient Egyptian art, depicts the Seated or Squatting Scribe. This impressive portrayal of a working scribe never fails to catch the attention of visitors. His eyes were intricately carved and gazes with a realistic stare from eyes made of combined copper, and polished rock. The identity of the subject or the exact period during which he lived, however, is not known. The scribe sits with numerous collections of papyrus, figurines, musical instruments, mummies and Ramses II.

Location: 1st Floor Sully Wing, Room No. 22 (Egyptian Antiquities/2700-2200 BC)

9) The Barberini Ivory

This ivory leaf comes from a Byzantine imperial diptych and represents the triumph of Emperor Anastasius (or Emperor Justinian) and the glorification of Christ. The back of the leaf lists the names of Barbarian kings and officials of the 5th or 6th century.

Location: 1st Floor Richelieu Wing, Room No. 1 (Charlemagne, Display Case 7)

10) The Diana of Versailles and other Greek and Roman Sculpture

The Louvre Roman
Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Detail_Diana_Versailles_Louvre_Ma589.jpg

This is an oversized marble statue of Diana, or Artemis to the Greeks, shown with a deer. The goddess of chastity, and an important figure to hunters, is the twin sister of Apollo. The display room is a work of art in itself, and Diana or Artemis shares it with other prominent Greek and Roman figures like the Sleeping Hermaphrodite.

Location: Ground Floor Sully Wing, Room No. 17 (Salle des Caryatides)

***Useful Tip

To avoid getting lost in the maze-like passageways, study your map of exhibits as the museum has a large array of them. To be allowed into the permanent collections, an adult will have to pay USD11 from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or USD 8 if he enters the museum after 6:00 p.m. Entrance is free to children below 18 years old or to persons with disabilities. If you wish to have entry to all exhibits, including temporary, pay for USD17. A ticket allows your multiple entries within the day. Guided tours are also available in English at USD6.50. There are three wings, the Denon, the Sully and the Richelieu. Labeled entries can be seen under the glass pyramid where a visitor goes in.

Where to Eat

The Louvre is a huge place as you will see. The grandiose display would surely fill your eyes and even your soul, but wear you out or starve you. There are cafes and restaurants where you can rest and restore yourself for another round of fascinating journey around Louvre.

1) Le Café Mollien

Right where you land from the Mollien staircase, there is this café where you can have lunch or have a quick snack. You can choose to look out the galleries of French paintings or look over the Carrousel garden and the museum’s courtyard. A sandwich of ham, cheese and tuna with a cold beverage will cost you around USD 25.

Address: Rue de Rivoli Aile, The Louvre (indoors, Denon Wing)

2) Les Cafes de La Pyramide

These are three food counters serving casseroles, grilled and steamed dishes, pizza and quiche. A slice of pizza served with tomato salad costs around USD12.

Address: at the Mezzanine beneath the Pyramid (indoors, Richelieu Wing)

3) La Terrasse de Pomone Tuileries Garden

If you wish for air and the outdoors after several hours inside the museum, take a walk to this open-air brasserie and look at Louvre from the outside. You can order some fresh produce, home-made specialties, sandwiches, pancakes, and desserts. Price starts at USD15.

Address: Northeast kiosk, Tuileries Gardens

4) Le Café de Diane

This is the ideal place to sit back, soak in the view, stretch tired legs, and sip a cup of rich hot chocolate and munch on baguette. Price starts at USD15.

Address: Allee de Diane, Jardin des Tuileries

5) La Brasserie du Louvre

Buffet breakfast will cost around USD39. Breakfast is tasty, coffee is great, and service is excellent.

Address: Place du Palais Royal, near the Richelieu entrance to the Louvre

Where to Stay

Experience the opulence of Paris by booking into one of its palace hotels. Set in a picturesque city of the graceful Eiffel Towel and the romantic River Seine are many hotels you can choose from. This list provides, along with the luxurious mansions, some reasonably-priced hotels with comfortable accommodations.

1) Hotel du Louvre

Hotel Du Louvre
Photo Credit: http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hotel_du_Louvre.jpg

This hotel is conveniently located in the middle of beautiful Paris and you will never get lost with landmarks within walking distance – the Louvre Museum, the Palais Royal, Notre Dame Cathedral, and major department stores. The price for one night in a single room starts at USD 351. For a single room with breakfast, the price is USD410.

Address: Place Andre Malraux, Paris

2) Hotel Prince Albert Louvre

If you like waking up to the view of Tuileries Gardens, and the Louvre Museum right at your doorsteps, book early to this hotel. Standard double room starts at USD 142. Breakfast is optional at USD9.

Address: 5 Rue Saint-Hyacinthe, Paris

3) Relais Du Louvre Hotel

Relais Du Louvre welcomes you into one of the most ideal locations in Paris: right in the heart of the city, yet in a very quiet little street.This hotel is best known to offer accommodations for families bringing in pets, or requiring large areas. A single room costs USD173 per night.

Address: 19 Rue des Prtres-Saint Germain l’Auxerrois, Paris

4) Hotel Best Western Louvre Saint Honore

Strategically located between the Louvre and the Royal Palais, this hotel is an ideal base for tourists. It is only several steps away from the Notre Dame Cathedral and other landmarks. A standard room costs USD220 per night.

Address: 141 Rue Saint Honore, Paris

5) Timhotel Le Louvre

A charming hotel set at the historical center of Paris, Timhotel Le Louvre is ideal for those who would like to see the city from their hotel rooms and who would like to visit the Louvre on foot as this hotel is barely 300 feet away. A single room costs USD121 per night, while a double room costs USD157.

Address: 4 Rue Croix des Petits Champs, Paris

Take the Louvre one wing, one room at a time. A receptacle of man’s art, history, laws, beliefs, and riches, it tells of civilizations buried in rubles and ruins through thousands of years but now showcased in one big fortress. At least once in your lifetime, make sure to visit man’s accumulation of genius, riches, and history at The Louvre.

 

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