For many years, whenever someone mentioned the Louvre, I thought of the Mona Lisa.
That was the picture in my mind every time. Of course, I knew that the Louvre held thousands of other treasures. But it wasn’t until I visited that I could fully appreciate that there are 35,000 works of art on exhibition there.
I was also struck by the beauty of the museum’s architecture including the original twelfth century building and subsequent additions surrounding I.M. Pei’s Pyramid, completed in 1989. Now when I think of the Louvre, the Mona Lisa is just one in a gallery of pictures in my mind.
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I bet we’re the only people who have been to Paris and not visited the Louvre! 🙂 I love it when architects really think about what they’re doing with new additions to an old building. The pyramid is great. I also like Sir Norman Foster’s dome on the Reichstag in Berlin. THAT we did manage to see. 🙂
Julia
I understand that there was some controversy over the pyramid about architecture as well as symbolism, but I think it’s a perfect complement to the old buildings.
Nice angle, Catherine. The pyramid looks even more interesting from a higher plane. You are right, there is so much more to the Louvre than Mona Lisa, but she seems to be the most touted.
Thanks, Renee. I really liked this particular shot. The more I’ve looked at it, the more aspects of it I like. I’m glad that others are enjoying it, too!
When we visited we were shocked by how small the Mona Lisa was. Cool piece, but….. there’s just so much more to see at the Louvre! The pyramid was one of my favorite parts. 🙂
I was surprised by how small the Mona Lisa was, too. I was lucky to be there on a fairly quiet morning, so was able to get up front.
This is a terrific photo, Cathy! I love the juxtaposition of the old museum with the modern pyramid. I really need to get back to Paris 🙂
Thank you, Michael! Hope you get back there soon — me, too!
Beautiful shot of the Louvre! Fantastic museum and one you could spend days in!
Lovely shot – especially with the old & new in 1 frame. The human element adds a nice touch too. Would actually like to spend more time in the Impressionist museum – the name of which escapes me right now.
Ah, one of my favs. I love the Orsay too, but there’s nothing quite like your first time in The Louvre. We saw the Mona Lisa but really just stopped around the crowds and then walked away. There was so many other areas that we liked more without all the people. I also love the National Treasure movies where they were solving puzzles around the Louvre!
Whoa, 35,000 pieces of art? I’d think you would need a week to take it all in.
Nice photo, it brings back some great memories of our visit. We were able to do a bicycle tour of Paris that included riding through the Louvre’s outdoor spaces at dusk when hardly any people were around. It was one of the best travel moments I’ve had.
I’m not really one to visit museums much, but I loved the Louvre! The giant Pyramid at the entrace is the first thing I think of when I when someone talks about the Louvre.
I haven’t been to Paris since I was a child, I would love to go back and check out the Louvre again, now that I appreciate art!
After reading your heading I just had to read more!! I want to write a book “What’s the big deal about Mona?” I regularly visit the Louvre and have so many favourites it’s ridiculous, but sorry Mona’s not on the list!!! I might have to share with you some of my favourites on FB!!!
Way more than the Mona Lisa. Your photos have made me decide, I’d pass right by her !
That’s a nice shot Cathy! I haven’t been to Paris yet, but every time I think of the Louvre I kinda do the same thing you did… think about The Mona Lisa and I.M. Pei’s pyramid. 🙂 The Louvre, and Paris, are definitely in my bucket list.
The Mona Lisa is so tiny and wee and blocked with gawkers! It’s beautiful, but you are right — there is so much more to see…
I haven’t been to the Louvre, I heard the Mona Lisa is so popular that you get to see it very quickly and always surrounded by a lot of people. Certainly there are so many other beautiful paintings to see at the Louvre!
My major memory of the Mona Lisa is how small it is. You expect it, somehow, to be bigger. And there it is, behind the glass, all tiny.
You caught that beautifully. When visiting Paris, I missed the Louvre too, so Turkeys for Life aren’t the only ones.
I have visited The Louvre each time I’ve been to Paris and will continue to go back time and time again. There is so much to see there! You’re right, the architecture inside of the building is wonderful.
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