Anonymous wrote:Also, while L'Orangerie is amazing, I would only go if you are truly interested in seeing Water Lillies or do it in addition to another museum.

This post is making me want to go back to Paris immediately, LOL.

Agree with this though will note I was obsessed with Monet as a teen and would have LOVED to go to L'Orangerie just for that even if it meant not having time for the Louvre or D'Orsay, even though as an adult I would probably pick one of those over L'Orangerie if I had to pick just one.

I also would have been obsessed with the Opera as a teen for a variety of reasons that would not be true for me today (though I still think it's great).

Point being, I would take your kid's personality and interests into account. Will they feel weird if they get back and friends say "Did you go to the Louvre?" and they didn't? Would they rather see a show at Moulin Rouge than spend a full day at a museum? Are they more excited about food or seeing certain neighborhoods? Are they into ballet or music -- there are specific things I'd recommend for a kid like that in Paris.

I'd really aim to make the trip specific to your kid instead of trying to do "generic Paris."

Anonymous wrote:D’orsay, definitely! Was in no rush to go the Louvre, didn’t go til my third time in Paris and only bc ppl I was traveling w wanted to go. Def the right decision.

+1

Do what you like, not just because something is on a checklist.

Anonymous wrote:Musee O'rsay

+1

This is always my pick. Love it.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Feel free to google that version and post those photos. They exist. Same thing with the serene photos of the Taj Mahal, etc. etc.

I always wonder how resorts get those serene photos of empty pools and beaches without all the tourists.

Got to say Louvre.

Also, while L'Orangerie is amazing, I would only go if you are truly interested in seeing Water Lillies or do it in addition to another museum.

This post is making me want to go back to Paris immediately, LOL.

Anonymous wrote:I got super excited when I found Anne of Cleves' portrait in the Louvre.

Oh I would have loved to stumble upon that. The super flattering Holbein. Isn't it great what stays with you?

Anonymous wrote:

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?

Feel free to google that version and post those photos. They exist. Same thing with the serene photos of the Taj Mahal, etc. etc.

I'd do the Louvre because you're going with your 15 year old and it's their first time. I'd do the "hits" knowing my kid will probably return to Paris in their 20s and can do the next layer of the onion, but with that first trip at a young age you can't go wrong with like: Louvre, Arc de triumph, moulin rouge, Notre Dame.

Definitely be strategic about when you go and how you approach. If you have no interest in the Mona Lisa, all the better! You can avoid those crowds. I personally love the Greek/Roman antiquities galleries because the scale is so dramatic and it's so unlike any other setting. And I do like that they tend to be less crowded. I also like the French painting galleries on the second floor, which feel more intimate and have some of my favorite works in galleries that feel kind of "tucked away." Touring the second floor galleries can also be fun because there are windows that overlook the pyramid or have views toward the Tullieries and the monuments and those views are fun to discover and help remind you where you are.

If you think this will be your only trip to Paris with DD, I'd do the Louvre, just so she has that experience. If you will be back, you could do D'Orsay.

Does your DD have any particular art she'd like to see? Anything she's learned about in school? I was surprised my kids knew about so many artists and semi-famous paintings and were excited to see them. If so I'd also weigh that.

Np but Carnavalet is incredible too and had an extensive renovation a few years ago.

D’orsay, definitely! Was in no rush to go the Louvre, didn’t go til my third time in Paris and only bc ppl I was traveling w wanted to go. Def the right decision.

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

The Napoleon Apartment is my favorite part of the Louvre! I’d probably vote Louvre over D’Orsay for a first visit.

Anonymous wrote: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.

The Egyptian room was crowded. By contrast, we almost had the Greek and Roman sculptures to ourselves. There are lots of bus tours trying to knock off the big four art works as quickly as possible.

My current favorite museum is the Petit Palais. It's free.

I got super excited when I found Anne of Cleves' portrait in the Louvre.