The Carousel Entrance
It’s a lovely morning to take an artistic stroll through the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. Taking the lesser known entrance below the pyramid of the main entrance, we will enter the Louvre, avoiding much of the tourist traffic. We had purchased our tickets in advance from the Louvre website and had them shipped to our address in the United States. One less line to wait in and a great time saver, particularly in the summer months.
Here we will see the base of the Pyramid, along with multiple shops and even a Starbucks Coffee shop.
Below the Pyramid
The hallways are filled with impressive art from the masters through the ages. Our guide, from Discover Walks takes us on a historical walk to explain the progression in the art of art. Discover Walks is a free, tip based tour service that we used twice during our weekend stay in Paris. Both of our guides were fantastic and well informed. They deserved a full fee for their professional tour services and certainly worth using while in Paris.
While walking through the Louvre, unique views were seen of the front plaza that many miss.
Can’t say that I blame them as the artwork within the walls of the Louvre are spectacular. A visit is not complete without a stop by the Mona Lisa to wonder just why she is smiling the way she is.
The Mona Lisa
Opposite the wall of the Mona Lisa is the often overlooked masterpiece hanging large on the wall. “The Wedding at Cana” was painted by Paolo Veronese in 1563.
One of my favorite sections of the Louvre are the sculpture galleries. This is where life imitates art, or rather art imitates life.
An Artists Rendition
Like Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova (1757 – 1822)
Or the well-known Venus de Milo, an ancient Greek statue.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace stands tall over the stairs that many visitors pass.
Created in the 2nd century BC, this sculpture of the Greek Goddess Nike (Victory) is prominently displayed.
On our way out from our three hour intensive tour, this gentleman stood the ready.
Oh the Louvre, so much to see, and so little time to see it. I hope that on your next visit to Paris, you get a chance to visit the Louvre. Even if it isn’t your first visit, there is always something new to discover.
Categories: Foot Prints, France, history, Paris, travel
Emily Carter ~ Nature as Art 
One of my favorite places in the world! Thanks for sharing your lovely images; lots of fond memories there!
Thank you so much Tricia. It also is one my favorites as well. I’m hoping the next visit I’ll actually get out of the more popular sections. Have you been in the basement to see the foundations?
We took the one of the lesser known entrances too and breezed right in. Not a single person in line! Definitely a nice way to start a visit to the massive Louvre!
Wow that is fantastic Shelley ! It really is amazing how few people know of that secret. Perhaps I shouldn’t have shared. 🙂 I appreciate you stopping by and commenting and hope to see you back soon!
Been there several times – love it – very well captured… 🙂
Thank you so much Drake ! Glad to bring back fond memoried for you then.
I love the Louvre, Emily. I would love to go back again, now that I’m blogging. I think I would look at it with different eyes, and take many more photos. 🙂
Isn’t that the truth Sylvia? We end up getting more of the story and better photos simply because we know we want to share the story with others. What a marvelous thing to do.
Agreed. 🙂
What Fun and a Great Place to Explore – love your captures – thanks for sharing! Happy Friday:)
Have you been Renee? I’m sure you would love it if not. Have a great weekend!
The total package! Photos and info! WE LOVE LOVE LOVE this posing! 🙂 🙂 WOOF WOOF
LOL ! Indeed it is both – posing and posting. Thanks Maggie ! Hope all is well with you.
POSTING AND POSING! LOL
Thank you so much,it was very nice a pictures
It is my pleasure Rimas, so happy you enjoyed this. How is the trip planning going?
Oh how I would like to go there someday, but I doubt that I will ever make it. Thanks for posting your excellent photos, but I’m a bit surprised that they allow photos to be taken. Maybe it’s because Grand Rapids is still such a hick town, none of our museums allow any photography inside.
Really? You don’t think you’ll ever make it to Paris ? Ah, you should really try sometime. Even in winter when prices are lower its a fabulous place. I would imagine it would be impossible for them to stop tourists from taking photos. There was one salon where the guard stopped me from filming the fantastic ceiling though.
Breathtaking!!!
Thank you so much Rebecca ! Hope you’re having a wonderful week. BTW, WOW, four blogs? You must be quite busy!
I am known to be extreme so I’m surprised that I don’t have more. Thank you again for recommending the 365/52 project. It has given me a whole new perspective on photography. What a joyful way to celebrate 2013…! You are truly amazing!!!
LOL ! Have no idea how you keep up! I have a hard enough time with one. I wish there was more participation on the group, but nope. We’ll just be our own cheerleaders then!
We are the stars!!! And we sparkle brightly….
As far as I’m concerned, your photos are museum-quality. It was wonderful to scroll through them and relive our walk through the Louvre, too.
You are so sweet ! Thank you so very much and I am so happy that you were able to relive some fond times at the Louvre.
You’ve brought the masterpiece to our home. Merci, mon amie Bella.
It is my great pleasure. The Louvre is such a wonderful place to visit.
I would love to go there someday! So precious and beautiful !!
Wouldn’t that be fun? a Girly WordPress blogger field trip? I know at least Rebecca/Clanmother and Feygirl would go with us. Perhaps many more!
Sounds like fun!!
Perhaps one day.
ah, just lovely! such a wonderful tour…. i hope you’re feeling better, poor thing!!!
Thank you so much ! Would you believe 3 months and 3 rounds of antibiotics? Crazy….
WHOA… i’ve been hearing horrible things about this year’s flu / bug / whatever devil-virus it is!! sending healing vibes your way!!
How you purchase your tickets for the Louvre is the real key to success. I found this true for all of Paris. After spending time in the museums I think I really liked the Musee d’Orsay much more and would recommend spending more time their.
I didn’t get much time in the Musee d’Orsay as my friends slept through the WHOLE MORNING in Paris ! I had only an hour then had to leave. Next time I’ll start there first. Thanks!
On my first trip to Paris 2 years ago I was so mesmerized by the Louvre that I returned everyday for the next 3 days! Definitely an amazing collection of not only European but also Ancient art and artifacts from Egypt and Sumer. Thanks for posting and sharing your beautiful photos!
Thanks for the nice tour! One fine day, I too shall go there in person… but until then, I appreciate the nice photo tour and look at such masterpieces….
Would love to spend a week there gazing at those masterpieces! Have only managed a few hours so far 🙂 great shots as usual.
Thank you for the tour Emily, I really enjoyed it. I really to one day go there myself.
Thank you so much for posting these images Bella ! Your photos are so beautiful and I really enjoyed the tour. It’s a dream of mine to go to the Louvre one day and I might go in 2 years, as I’m planning a trip to Paris with my sister ! Have a lovely week-end 🙂
You will have such a fantastic time in Paris with your sister. I am jealous as it is such a wonderful place to visit. So many things to see and experience. So happy you enjoyed my walk through the Louvre.
Exquisite!
You are truly too kind. I’m so happy you stopped by for a visit, and hopefully subscribed. Great to meet you through Seeker.
She does that to people :>
🙂
It is an amazing place for sure. You can see my experience in the below link.
https://maverickonthemove.wordpress.com/2016/08/12/louvre-worlds-largest-museum/