Anonymous wrote:I would go to the Louvre just... because it's the Louvre. Like others said, go see a few of the amazing things. This has stayed on my mind forever, and it's what I think of when I think Louvre- - she's worth a visit:

Funny photo. Where did they put the hoards of tourists?

I’d go to the Louvre to see Vermeer’s The Lacemaker.
If it’s your one and only trip, I’d g to the Louvre.
If not, and there isn’t any specific art you want to see, then I’d go to the D’Orsay.

The first time I visited Paris, it was on my own in my 20s and I spent 3 entire days visiting the Louvre. Lunch was cheese and a French loaf.
I spent 1 day visiting D’Orsay.
When I went back with my DS, we went to the Louvre and Pompidou. I don’t think he loved any of it, tbh.

Anonymous wrote:Louvre is a giant palace. It can be impressive but also exhausting. I’d be inclined to skip it unless you have specific pieces you want to see.

+1

I'd do Orsay, and possibly add Rodin and/or Picasso.

Totally get why everyone is saying Musee d’Orsay. But if you have never been to the Louvre, my vote is for the Louvre. But it is a mad house—get a private guide.

and the Napoleon Apartments. Anyone else have their spots in the Louvre?

Anonymous wrote:The Louvre is huge. I would go if there's a specific area of interest to see (Dutch masters, for example, or Egyptian art), just go do that and nothing else. Or the musee d'orsay, which is still pretty big and hard to navigate.

Other smaller museums in paris that are lovely: jacquemart andree; musee guimet; marmottan; the fondation louis vuitton often has amazing exhibitions; musee Ary Scheffer(musee de la vie romantique) ;casso museum (its ok, not amazing); Rodin museum; and for kids of all ages, the musee des arts et metiers. I also sometimes go to see things at the Musee Delacroix and Musee Bourdelle.

The Opera is fun to see as well.

I finally made it to Orsay on my third trip to Paris in April 2023. It was unpleasantly crowded, as was the Orangerie.

I went to the Louvre as a child in the summer and got stuck in a crowd. Next time I went to Paris the museum workers were on strike so I couldn't visit the Louvre.
I've also been squished into the Uffizi and Versailles.

Because of these experiences, I would agree with the poster above. I would go to the Marmottan museum to see Impression: Sunrise and also to the Montmartre Museum which contains workspaces of famous Impressionists and some interesting context. Been to both, liked both.

https://museedemontmartre.fr/

Might also try the Rodin museum.

If you can go during a quiet evening time, the Orsay is probably the right pick between Louvre and Orsay.

I also enjoy the enormous paintings in the Red Rooms

I would go to the Louvre just... because it's the Louvre. Like others said, go see a few of the amazing things. This has stayed on my mind forever, and it's what I think of when I think Louvre- - she's worth a visit:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Musee O'rsay

Between the two this is my pick too. But it really really depends what you want to see. DS really wanted to see the Egyptian stuff at the Louvre so we went specifically for that.

I'd do research on various museums ahead of time to see what you're interested in. Don't go just because you think you should because you're there. Go see the stuff that interests you

Good advice. Also recommend going on one of the nights when they are opened late. I did that last time and it was much less crowded than the previous time I had gone. Much more enjoyable.

Anonymous wrote:Musee O'rsay

Between the two this is my pick too. But it really really depends what you want to see. DS really wanted to see the Egyptian stuff at the Louvre so we went specifically for that.

I'd do research on various museums ahead of time to see what you're interested in. Don't go just because you think you should because you're there. Go see the stuff that interests you

Musee O'rsay

The Louvre is huge. I would go if there's a specific area of interest to see (Dutch masters, for example, or Egyptian art), just go do that and nothing else. Or the musee d'orsay, which is still pretty big and hard to navigate.

Other smaller museums in paris that are lovely: jacquemart andree; musee guimet; marmottan; the fondation louis vuitton often has amazing exhibitions; musee Ary Scheffer(musee de la vie romantique) ;casso museum (its ok, not amazing); Rodin museum; and for kids of all ages, the musee des arts et metiers. I also sometimes go to see things at the Musee Delacroix and Musee Bourdelle.

The Opera is fun to see as well.

Louvre is a giant palace. It can be impressive but also exhausting. I’d be inclined to skip it unless you have specific pieces you want to see.

Orangerie

Taking 15yo DD to Paris for her first time and we can probably fit in one art museum. I’m a huge fan of Musee d’Orsay and definitely prefer art from that era, but have never visited the Louvre myself. I guess I don’t know what I’m missing.

If you have been to both, esp if you’ve taken your, which did you prefer and why? I should add that neither of us want to see the Mona Lisa.