Six things you shouldn't miss in the Louvre

There's so much more to see beyond the museum's faithful favourites.

Happy Friday, folks.

This week on the podcast we did a deep dive into the Louvre museum with best-selling author Elaine Sciolino. Elaine is soon to release her next book Adventures in the Louvre: How to Fall in Love with the World’s Greatest Museum, which unlocks many secrets held within this Paris icon.

With over 35,000 artefacts and artworks on display, the museum can prove intimidating. As Elaine says, “the Louvre is a challenge, it’s too big…it’s too crowded, it’s an impossible museum. You have to find your way in.”

A good piece of advice on how to approach the Louvre is to make a plan of what you’d like to see. And that plan should always include visiting more than just the Venus de Milo or the Mona Lisa. In fact, you might even consider skipping them altogether…controversial I know.

What else should you include to go beyond the basics of a visit to the Louvre? Here are six things to seek out.

1) The Galerie d’Apollon

A gallery fit for a King. The Gallerie d’Apollon is where you’ll find the French crown jewels, but, frankly, they pale in comparison to the breath-taking murals on the ceiling, painted by the famed Eugène Delacroix. Commissioned by King Louis XIV, the gallery was created by the finest artisans of their age, many of whom went on to work at Versailles. So if you can’t make it out there, the magnificent Gallerie d’Apollon will give you a fantastic preview.

Pic sent in from Earful listener Scott LeGrand, who waits until the museum is set to close to take such incredible shots.

2) The apartments of Napoleon III

The most luxurious time machine imaginable. After an extensive renovation, these apartments reopened last summer and they are absolutely not to be missed. Masses of velvet, dazzling chandeliers and imposing murals convey the extravagance of the mid 19th century, also known as the Second Empire, ruled over by Emperor Napoleon III.

3) The basement fortress

A lesser known aspect of Louvre history is that, long ago, it was a large fortress serving as a fortification on the western limit of the Philippe Auguste wall. Today you can visit the foundations of this fortress and see its 12 century origins. An additional, special Valentine’s Day fact: many of the stones within the wall have little hearts carved by the original stonemasons all those centuries ago.

4) Some of Elaine’s favourite pieces

Did you know that people write letters to the Mona Lisa? Elaine explained on the pod how she had read hundreds of them. But the Louvre isn’t just about the Mona Lisa. Elaine shared a few pieces she likes to hunt down when she visits.

Setting aside the star attraction, she expressed a lot admiration for other paintings which may be lesser-known, but as impactful. Man with a glove by Titian sits in the same room as the Mona Lisa, but is sadly overshadowed by his famous neighbour. Her personal favourite is Portrait of a Man (also known as La Condottiere) by Antonello da Messina… and for what it’s worth, I am always struck by The death of Marat by Jacques-Louis David, which brims over with drama and emotion.

5) The Impressionists

Yes, you read that correctly. There are Impressionist paintings to be found in the Louvre. Whilst the majority are, famously, located a short walk away in either the Musée d’Orsay or the Musée de l’Orangerie a small collection has remained. It is located in a room far from the hustle and bustle, so you can (almost) guarantee to see them in peace and quiet. What a unique experience that would be.

6) Our full set of children’s books in the boutique

Any museum visit involves a look around the gift shop, of course. When you’re browsing for a da Vinci key ring or a Venus de Milo eraser, why not check out our quadrilogy of children’s books nestled in the bookshelves?

The perfect souvenir, if I do say so myself. (Or you can buy them from our own homepage here).

That’s it for things to find in the Louvre. For more insider tips and tricks to ensure your future Louvre visit runs smoothly, this article from our archives will prove useful.

If you missed this week’s chat with Elaine, the podcast is available below, on iTunes or via my website here.

Some Paris extras!

Perhaps you’re done with the Louvre but want even more Paris right now! Well, how about an extra podcast episode, with a side dish of an extra column about a “funny” little cafe in Paris. Well, if you’re an Earful member, then I’ve got you covered.

If you’re a Patreon member, here’s the bonus episode, here’s Lina’s column, or, you can buy the ever-updating list of all Lina’s columns for just ten bucks here.

If you’re a Substack member, just keep scrolling down, the column and the pod are embedded below, and it will unlock magically just for you.

Not an Earful member but love the show? Jump aboard! There are discounts if you sign up for the year and you’re helping your favourite to grow, hire, and improve.

(Just a quick reminder: Substack and Patreon memberships are the same, you just receive the perks on separate platforms.)

That’s it for me, thanks for reading. Oliver

“Scoop du jour” members-only column: A ‘funny’ little cafe

Once again, let me pass the keyboard to my wife Lina, for her review of cafe. This is the fourth instalment of the "Scoop du jour".

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