We are not art aficionados, but we do really enjoy and appreciate art. Needless to say, one should not go to Paris without visiting the Louvre. It is definitely a museum that you could visit a hundred times and always see and find something new. Of course there is the Mona Lisa, which draws huge lines to see, but there is so much more. Paintings, statues, and other works of art from all of the masters such as Michelangelo, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Giovanni Bellini, and Rembrandt, just to name a few.

Obviously, art museums should be visited whenever you go to any major city, they contain a rich heritage of our human existence.  In some ways, looking at art is like drinking wine.  It isn’t about who the artist is, what the subject is, whether it is traditional, modern, abstract, or how critically acclaimed a piece may be.  What matters is in the eye of the beholder.  As they say, drink a wine that you like, not one that is expensive or is “supposed” to go with a specific food, so should you treat your art experience, find what you like and devour that.  Art should move you on the inside and the best art pieces will leave a lasting impression on your soul.

Take time to take a look at the architecture of the Louvre.  It is a former palace, before Louis XIV moved to the Palace of Versailles, and the buildings themselves are exquisite.  If you’ve seen the movie, the Da Vinci Code, you’re very familiar with the Louvre Pyramid.  It certainly stands in stark contrast to the Louvre itself with its modern feel, but we didn’t find it to be “a scar on the face of Paris”, but again, we’re not Parisian.  It is part of the whole experience, so take time to stand in the courtyard and enjoy the grandeur of it all.

If you are an art scholar, student, art enthusiast, or simply someone who likes art, the Louvre is a must to visit.  If you have the time, sit in front of the paintings, absorb them, take in the details, just don’t rush off to the next one on the list.  For that matter, take the list of art with you so that you can be sure to see some of the more famous pieces, but don’t use that as your guide.  Stop and look at artwork that grabs your attention, that speaks to you, don’t let others decide for you which pieces you should see.  Someday soon we’ll be back to Paris, it is one of, if not the, favorite city we’ve ever had the pleasure to enjoy and the Louvre will be part of our return trip.