Paris - Louvre museum & afternoon tea

[username112220]

Heading to Paris in 2 weeks. Planning on visiting the Louvre Museum but this will probably be on our last day. So I was wondering how much time I should set aside for it? I've heard it is HUGE! But various sites say to allow 2-3 hours.

Also, any good afternoon tea suggestions that are within a short walk from Louvre museum or anywhere in the 1st arrondisement.

Cafe Marly is the iconic Louvre eating spot, quite lovely, and pricey but so is everywhere in central Paris.

First time I went we spent four hours there. Yes, it is huge, it used to be a Royal Palace. Three wings, I remember. It's the National Gallery and V&A times 10.

Afternoon tea isn't really a thing in Paris. Coffee, in the morning, wine after lunch. Plenty of "bars" selling both in the area. This one is rated highly: www.hyatt.com/fr-FR/hotel/france/hotel-du-louvre/paraz/dining/lofficine-du-louvre I found pastries and cakes are served at breakfast.

Think we spent 3 hours there. There was still more to see but we had museum fatigue by then! Really enjoyed the apartments which were set up with historic furniture etc.

You could spend several days going around the Louvre - I'd recommend choosing what you want to see before you start and working out an itinerary. Angélina on Rue de Rivoli across from the Louvre is the Paris equivalent of an iconic morning/afternoon tea, very popular with tourists, famous for its hot chocolate: www.angelina-paris.fr/en/226-rue-de-rivoli. There is a branch upstairs in the Louvre itself but the main café is the famous one.

If I were you, I’d just concentrate on the Denon Wing if this is your first time visiting. It’s got the most famous art and some of the galleries are pretty spectacular themselves.
My recommendation for afternoon tea nearby would be Angelina.

It is indeed huge. I think the pp recommendation that you have a plan in advance for what you wish to see is a good one. Also you might need to factor in the standing in line time. We went though a few weeks back when all of Europe seemed to be on school holidays so it was INSANE, but might not be so busy when you are there! They have timed entries now so you can book your slot which makes it easier.

In case you don’t know, the Louvre is closed all day on Mondays, but stays open til 21.45 on Fridays.

I was going to say exactly this!

When in Paris we always have tea at Cafe Le Nemours (on Rue Saint-Honoré), then walk through the nearby archway for a stroll around the Jardin du Palais-Royal.

Are you sure? I've looked on the website and it lets me book for a Monday.

@Twotothreeagain @Fivemoreminutes1

I've heard good things about Angelina but was put off as I've heard it can get very busy, and I don't fancy spending ages queueing on my final day in Paris haha.

If I book a timed entry, do I still need to queue? Or can I go in at my exact time?

If you’ve booked you won’t need to queue.

It’s massive. Pick your areas of interest.

Aperol Spritz in a cafe afterwards.

I have to agree with most other posters about Angelina for afternoon tea. Their cakes & pastries are to die for & the hot choc is sublime.

I think 3-4 hours is perfect for seeing the highlights in the Louvre. Don’t forget to look at the actual building/rooms/ceilings/floors etc. They are masterpieces in their own right!

Have fun!!

Again it was the holidays when we went but we booked a timed entry and did have to queue. We were in the 3.30 entry queue. It went quite fast though, considering. It was absolutely packed.

Oh, I’m so sorry username112220 it’s closed on Tuesdays - I had been booking tickets myself for a forthcoming trip when I saw your post and got it mixed up with the d’Orsay - apols for my confusion!

You still need to queue with a timed slot. Usually by the pyramid area. There will be separate queues for each time slot, so make sure to ask or check you’re in the right one.

The Louvre website has suggested walking tours. We did the one that included the Italian sculptures like Venus de Milo etc which eventually led us to the Mona Lisa.

For tea, of course there’s Angelina, but also Smith & Son on the rue de Rivoli. Formerly a WH Smith, they’ve got a cafe upstairs.