The main attraction of the Louvre? No, not the Mona Lisa, Napoleon. Well it is when you are visiting the Louvre history obsessed children. Our first stop was, of course, the Mona Lisa where a selfie had to be taken. Then it was off to find Napoleon.
Our route then took us back across the main staircase with great views of the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Onwards to more Greek sculpture and the famous most famous of the lot; Aphrodite, better known as Venus de Milo.
Unsurprisingly we were not the only ones with these two on our list and the galleries were quite crowded. Now the Junior CW’s fascination with all things Napoleon took hold and suddenly we were alone. In one of the furthest corners of the Louvre are the set of rooms that Napoleon III lived in. Not the man himself, but his extravagant nephew. Gold leaf and sparkling chandeliers were the dominant themes of the décor.
We did get to see many pictures of Napoleon Bonaparte and his Empress Josephine but most special of all (and most importantly the final stop of our tour) was his actual throne. Or rather one of his thrones. This one looks rather cosy with its fine upholstery.
Our Napoleon route took us to far flung parts of the museum. The Louvre is so large that you could spend weeks wandering around and still not see it all.
LOUVRE MUSEUM, PARIS
Admission: €22 adults, under 18’s free (free for all on the first Sunday of the month)
Open: Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 9am – 6pm
Wednesday, Friday: from 9am – 9.45pm
Closed on Tuesday
Whilst we were in Paris we stayed at the Novotel Les Halles which had the advantage of being a short direct Metro trip away from Gare du Nord where the Eurostar comes in and being walking distance from many of the things we wanted to see.
I remember being so disappointed to finally see the Mona Lisa and seeing how small it was and how big the crowd was trying to snap a picture! But, it’s worth to visit at least once! #CityTripping
We had warned the boys that she was small, so much so that they were shocked she was so big!
GreAt pics and tips – will bear in mind for the future #citytripping
Thank you!
When I last went to the Louvre, we didn’t use the audio guides. They definitely sound like a great way to explore the museum. If I ever return, I’ll be sure to check them out. :)
We have to plan for the next year to visit the Louvre with children. Your tips will be useful. Thank you!
The guide is such a great idea. That definitely didn’t exist when I last went. Such a vast museum makes sense to use technology to help visitors out. #citytripping
And that it was a 3DS as well!
How old are your children? I wouldn’t have thought Louvre would be suitable for my 2 and 4 year old though haha I think they will be hurrying me out of the door as soon as we enter! You wrote about Bonaparte! I know a Bonaparte in Singapore! She must be a descendent of Napoleon and what do you know? After so many generations, she’s a Singaporean now! #citytripping
My boys are 13 now, we did take to galleries from when they were babies but when they were tiny we always looked out for activity packs!
The guide sounds a great way to see the Louvre- there is so much to see it can be overwhelming. Having seen Mona Lisa years ago (it was rammed even then) I usually head to the Egyptology section as whoever I’m with inevitably wants to see her. I don’t think I ever realised you could see the Napoleon rooms though. Thanks for linking up with #citytripping
Our youngest is desperate to visit the Louvre and the Mona Lisa so maybe this is something we need to do next year x
I’ve been looking forward to this post! Gadgets really help when you’re taking kids round museums and galleries, don’t they? #citytripping
Hey do especially when the boys know more about using them than their mother does!
Napoleon’s throne looks wonderful – comfortable, stately and ornate. I’d love to do this tour and I think when technology is well deployed it can definitely engage children (and adults) and help them appreciate art and history. I’ll be looking out for the Louvre guides next time we are in Paris. Another great find on #FarawayFiles. Thank you Catherine
What a fantastic idea, Catherine. I love how museums do so many things to make culture more accessible for children and these audio guides sound so much fun. My two would love to do this. Thanks for sharing this on #FarawayFiles
I had no idea! FANTASTIC incentive to get modern kids engaged in art history! Definitely doing this next time in Paris! Thanks for sharing with #FarawayFiles, Erin
Awesome idea on the Louvre’s part to make the audio guides in the form of a Nintendo 3DS! I can’t wait until I get the chance to visit!
I love the idea of the 3DS audio guide! I think I might have had as much fun with it as the kids! I went to see the Louvre as a teen, but look forward to seeing it again as an adult.
what a great idea having a 3DS, I guess the kids get more interested :D
In Madrid, the museums are also free on the Sunday evening, so a good excuse to go there for just one hour or two.
Renting the Louvre Nintendo 3DS was the best decision that we made when visiting the Louvre. It really helped the kids to get interested, and it made navigating so much easier. We didn’t get to see the Napoleon throne, though. As you pointed out, that museum is quite big.
I’m impressed the Louvre has such a modern kid friendly device as a Nintendo, that’s just brilliant. In general I’m afraid French museums are years behind the UK in inventiveness so this really cheers me to read. I’d definitely pay for it if taking the kids. Thanks for linking up to #AllAboutFrance