There’s more to The Louvre than the Mona Lisa #Tips to Visiting the Louvre with Kids #Paris

The Louvre (Musée de Louvre) opened in August 1793, is located on the right bank  and is housed in the Louvre Palace occupying 652,300 square feet. The museum contains over 380,000 art objects and 35,000 dating back to pre-history. I’m sure when you hear ho much square footage and that many works of art, it sounds like a daunting experience for both adults and kids.

The Louvre is now recognizable due to the I.M. Pei Glass Pyramid which was added in 1989 and now serves as an entrance to the large reception hall beneath  the Cour Napoléon,

That said, it does not have to be and certainly can be a memorable and truly enriching experience that is not to be missed. And in case you did not know, French museums are free for kids under 18 so don’t worry that you need to get it all in (you can’t,  so stop worrying.)

 

Tips for Visiting The Louvre with Kids:

• Purchase advance tickets online to avoid the long lines (kids under 18 are free).
• Avoid the lines and enter The Louvre at the  Carrousel du Louvre underground shopping mall entrance.
•  Purchase a Paris Museum Pass , if you  are planning to visit numerous museums.
• Themed Visitor Trails are available for print on the website (there is one for families and kids) and  guided tours are also available.
• Download History Hero app which offers kids to adults interactive “missions” to track down key pieces of art in the Louvre. This is how my daughter and I toured the museum.
• Allow the family at least 2 hours or more,  so you can take short breaks.
• Sit down in rooms that have chair to  just sit and take in the art rather than rushing through. It’s a great way to engage your child on why they like the painting.
• Visit the louvre website to learn more about the museum and the key pieces you want to see.
• Study up on your French history – luckily I remembered enough to give my daughter some context for some of the pieces we saw
• Give your child a basis tutorial on the Greek and Roman mythology. No matter what museum you go to, mythology is a major theme.

Here a few of our favorite art objects  and the most popular from our visit to the Louvre:

Winged Victory of Samothrace

The Samothrace winged female statue is the messenger goddess Nike (Greek Goddess Victory) and  is one of the most famous statues in the world and certainly one of memorable statues  at the Louvre. The Winged Victory of Samothrace has been at the Louvre since 1884 and is made out of Parian marble and was discovered in 1863 on island of Samothrace.

I think it’s so memorable because  you have to approach it from below from the Daru staircase. Seeing a 18 foot statue that is headless and is a winged female figure would stand out especially for kids. My daughter had seen the statue before but when she saw it for the first time, she was in awe.

 

 

Venus de Milo

Another masterpiece that must be seen at the Louvre is the Venus de Milo also known as Aphrodite (a Greek goddess.)  The statue was discovered on the island of Melos in 1820 and was displayed at the Louvre soon after.

Cupid and Psyche

Antonio Canova is the sculptor who was just thirty years old when he was commissioned to make the statue.

 

Mona Lisa

La Gioconda”, famously know as the  “Mona Lisa” is Leonardo da Vinci’s most famous painting. I don’t care what anyone says, there is not one kid who is not excited or interested in seeing the most famous painting in the world. My daughter noticed immediately that no matter where you stand in the room, her eyes follow you. “That is so creepy but cool” was her response.

 Sphinx de Tanis

The Sphinx de Tanis was found in 1825 among the ruins of the Temple of Amun at Tanis (the capital of Egypt during the 21st and 22nd dynasties) and is an stunning sculpture made up of   the body of a lion and the head of a king. This completely wowed my daughter, how can it not be something amazing for kids.

I have no idea what this exhibit is- It was just a fun mirrored painting.

Have you been to the Louvre? Tell us your favorite art object. If you haven’t, what would you like to see most.

 

Musée du Louvre
The Louvre is open every day (except Tuesday) from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Night opening until 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays
Closed on the following holidays: January 1, May 1, December 25
Métro: Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7)
Tel.: +33 (0)1 40 20 53 17
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Disclosure: NYC Single Mom was not compensated for this post but did receive a press pass to facilitate this review.