Step into the magical world of the Louvre in Paris! Tips and fun activities for kids of all ages, from the Mona Lisa to ancient Egyptian treasures.
THE ULTIMATE PARENT’S GUIDE
Visit The Louvre: A Family Adventure Guide
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About The Louvre:
- WHOA! The Louvre is so big that if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each artwork, it would take you 100 days to see everything – and that’s if you didn’t sleep!
- HOLY MOLY! The Louvre used to be home to actual kings and queens, and some say their ghosts still wander the halls at night!
- SUPER COOL! There are 8 curly-tailed cats that live in the Louvre gardens, and their job is to keep mice away from the artwork!
- AMAZING! The glass pyramid entrance has exactly 666 panes of glass – that’s more windows than 30 houses combined!
- INCREDIBLE! During World War II, brave museum workers hid many famous artworks in secret locations all around France to keep them safe, just like a real treasure hunt!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At The Louvre:
Mona Lisa Gallery (Denon Wing) Get Ready for the Mona Lisa Gallery (Denon Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Meet the most famous painting in the world! The Mona Lisa’s mysterious smile has puzzled people for over 500 years.
INTERESTING FACT! The Mona Lisa is actually quite small – about the size of a kitchen cabinet door! And Leonardo da Vinci carried this painting everywhere he went for years.
COOL ACTIVITY! Play the “Emotion Detective” game! Make different faces like the Mona Lisa and try to guess what she might be feeling. Is she happy? Mysterious? Thinking about a funny joke?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could ask Mona Lisa one question, what would it be?
DISCUSS: The Mona Lisa’s eyes appear to follow you no matter where you stand in the room! This special trick is called “the following eyes effect.”
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Artists use special techniques to make paintings look real. Leonardo da Vinci used a technique called sfumato, which means “smoky” in Italian, to make the edges of the Mona Lisa’s smile soft and mysterious. He layered over 30 thin coats of paint to create this effect. Some people think she looks different depending on where you stand – try moving around to see if her expression changes!
ASK YOUR KIDS: What do you think is in the background behind Mona Lisa?
DISCUSS: The landscape behind Mona Lisa doesn’t exist in real life – Leonardo created it from his imagination!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The background shows winding paths, mountains, and rivers that create a dreamlike world. Leonardo was not just an artist – he was also a scientist who loved studying nature. He included details like how water flows and how light hits the mountains. Some people think the background represents the view from Mona Lisa’s hometown in Italy, while others believe it’s a magical place Leonardo invented. Look closely at the tiny details – can you spot the tiny bridge in the distance?
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different shades of green in the background landscape.
HINT: Look at the trees and mountains behind Mona Lisa.
OBJECTIVE: Spot something that looks like water in the painting.
HINT: Look for shiny, winding lines in the distance.
Venus de Milo Gallery (Sully Wing) Get Ready for the Venus de Milo Gallery (Sully Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Meet a 2,000-year-old statue that’s taller than two kids standing on each other’s shoulders!
INTERESTING FACT! Nobody knows exactly what happened to her arms – it’s one of art’s biggest mysteries!
COOL ACTIVITY! Strike a pose like Venus! Can you stand as still as a statue for 10 seconds? Try balancing on one foot like many ancient statues do.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you could give Venus new arms, what would you have her doing?
DISCUSS: The statue was discovered by a farmer who was digging in his field on a tiny island in Greece. Imagine finding treasure while gardening!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Venus was the goddess of love and beauty in ancient times. She was so important that people would leave her gifts like flowers and sweet treats. The statue is made of marble – the same stone used to make fancy kitchen countertops! But this special marble came from an island called Paros and was considered the most beautiful marble in the ancient world. When it was first made, the statue was painted in bright colors, not plain white as we see it today.
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think people made statues so big in ancient times?
DISCUSS: The Venus de Milo is 6 feet 8 inches tall – as tall as a basketball player!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: In ancient times, people made statues huge so they could be seen from far away, like a billboard today. These statues often stood in temples where people would come to pray. The bigger the statue, the more important the person or god it represented. The Venus de Milo was so heavy that it took 12 strong people to move her when she was found! Today, special machines help move her when needed. The statue is also hollow inside, like a chocolate Easter bunny, which makes her lighter than if she were solid marble.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the folds in Venus’s dress and count how many you can see.
HINT: Look at how the fabric seems to flow down her body.
OBJECTIVE: Look for small marks or chips in the marble.
HINT: These tiny “battle scars” tell us about the statue’s long journey through history.
Egyptian Antiquities Collection (Sully Wing) Get Ready for the Egyptian Antiquities Collection (Sully Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Step into the world of pharaohs and pyramids! This area feels like a magical treasure cave filled with real mummies, colorful hieroglyphs, and ancient secrets.
INTERESTING FACT! Some of these treasures are over 4,000 years old – that’s older than 40,000 birthday cakes!
COOL ACTIVITY! Be an archaeologist! Pretend you’re exploring a pyramid and try to spot animals hidden in the hieroglyphs. Can you find cats, birds, and crocodiles?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If you were a pharaoh, what would you want to take with you to the afterlife?
DISCUSS: Ancient Egyptians buried their pharaohs with everything they thought they’d need in the next life – even toys and games!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Egyptians believed that life continued after death in a magical place. They filled tombs with food, clothes, jewelry, and even tiny model boats and houses. Some pharaohs were buried with their pets! They used special boxes called canopic jars to store important things – kind of like how we use special boxes for our treasure collections today. Each jar had a different animal head on top: a baboon, a falcon, a jackal, and a human. These jars were like magical protectors for the pharaoh’s journey to the afterlife.
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think the ancient Egyptians wrote their stories without using letters like we do?
DISCUSS: Hieroglyphs are like picture puzzles – a drawing of an owl could mean the letter ‘M’!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Ancient Egyptians used over 700 different hieroglyphs to write their stories. Some pictures meant exactly what they showed (like a sun meaning “sun”), while others were more like secret codes. They wrote on walls, statues, and special paper made from a plant called papyrus. Scribes were like ancient superhero writers who knew all these symbols! They used special reed pens and colored inks to make their writing beautiful. Even their numbers were written with special symbols – a lotus flower meant 1,000!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different animal-headed gods in the sculptures or paintings.
HINT: Look for figures with human bodies but animal heads like hawks, cats, or jackals.
OBJECTIVE: Spot a scarab beetle somewhere in the collection.
HINT: These special beetles were considered lucky – look for shiny blue-green objects shaped like bugs.
Napoleon III Apartments (Richelieu Wing) Get Ready for the Napoleon III Apartments (Richelieu Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Walk through real royal rooms that look just like they’re from your favorite fairy tales, complete with golden decorations and sparkly chandeliers!
INTERESTING FACT! The dining room table could seat 46 people at once – imagine the biggest birthday party ever!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “I Spy with My Royal Eye” – how many mirrors, golden decorations, and crystal chandeliers can you count in each room?
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: If this was your palace, what would you do in these fancy rooms?
DISCUSS: The ceilings are so tall that you could stack three giraffes on top of each other and they still wouldn’t touch the top!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These rooms were like a fancy playground for grown-ups in the 1800s. They had special parties called balls where everyone would dress up in their fanciest clothes and dance all night long. The chandeliers would sparkle with hundreds of candles (no electricity back then!), making everything glitter like stars. The furniture wasn’t just for sitting – each piece was like a work of art. Even the clocks were special, with tiny moving figures that would dance when the hour struck. Some chairs were covered in silk made from over 100,000 tiny silkworms!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why do you think there are so many mirrors in the palace?
DISCUSS: The mirrors helped make the rooms brighter before electric lights were invented, and they made the rooms look twice as big!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Mirrors were super expensive and special in those days – they were like having a giant flat-screen TV today! Rich people would show off by having lots of mirrors. The mirrors also had a clever job: they would bounce candlelight around the room to make everything brighter at night. Plus, people loved to see their fancy outfits reflected everywhere they looked. Some mirrors had secret doors behind them, and servants would use these hidden passages to move through the palace without being seen – just like a magical castle!
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the fanciest chair in the room – what makes it special?
HINT: Look for chairs with gold decorations or special symbols that might have been for the emperor or empress.
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different colors you can spot in just one ceiling.
HINT: Don’t forget to look for hidden colors in the paintings and decorations up high!
OBJECTIVE:
HINT: Look for fancy clocks with gold decorations – they might be on tables or mantels.
The Medieval Louvre (Lower Ground Floor) Get Ready for The Medieval Louvre (Lower Ground Floor) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Discover the secret underground castle! You can see the actual walls and moat from when the Louvre was a fortress 800 years ago.
INTERESTING FACT! Real knights and kings walked on these very stones – you’re walking in their footsteps!
COOL ACTIVITY! Be a castle architect! Look at the huge stone blocks and try to build your own mini fortress using your hands to show the shapes you see.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: How do you think they built such strong walls without modern machines?
DISCUSS: Some of these stones are so heavy that it would take 20 grown-ups to lift just one!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Medieval builders were like super-smart puzzle masters. They didn’t have cranes or trucks, so they used clever tools like wooden wheels and pulleys to lift heavy stones. They even used special marks – like secret builder signatures – to show which stone went where. Workers would create wooden scaffolding as tall as trees to reach the top of the walls. The stones were cut so perfectly that many still fit together today without any glue or cement – just like giant building blocks!
ASK YOUR KIDS: Why did castles need moats around them?
DISCUSS: The moat wasn’t filled with alligators like in stories – it was more like a giant puddle that made it hard for enemies to dig under the castle walls!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: A moat was like having a giant bathtub around your house – but not for taking baths! It was part of the castle’s defense system, like having a force field in space movies. The water in the moat came from the nearby Seine River. In winter, when the moat froze, guards would ice skate around the castle while keeping watch! The moat also had a drawbridge that could be pulled up like a giant garage door to keep unwanted visitors out. Today, you can still see where the chains for the drawbridge were attached.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the biggest stone block you can see in the walls.
HINT: Look at the bottom of the walls where the strongest stones were placed.
OBJECTIVE: Spot where the drawbridge used to be.
HINT: Look for big holes in the walls where the wooden bridge would have connected.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near The Louvre:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Louvre:
Tuileries Garden: Right outside the Louvre, this beautiful park has a fun playground, carousel, and in summer, a carnival with rides! Perfect for letting kids run around after museum time.
Seine River Boats: Just steps from the Louvre, hop on a boat ride to see Paris from the water! These boats (called Bateaux Mouches) give you a duck’s-eye view of the city.
Palais Royal Gardens: A peaceful garden with unique striped columns that kids love to climb on and jump between. It’s like a natural playground with beautiful flowers and fountains.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “Katie and the Mona Lisa” by James Mayhew – A magical story about a little girl who jumps into famous paintings at the Louvre.
- “This is Paris” by Miroslav Sasek – A beautifully illustrated book that introduces children to Paris landmarks, including the Louvre.
- “The Mixed-Up Museum: A Louvre Adventure” – A free downloadable activity book from the Louvre’s website that introduces kids to major artworks.
- Watch “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” – While not entirely about the Louvre, this fun movie will get kids excited about museums coming to life!
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About The Louvre:
- Welcome to the Louvre, a palace-turned-museum that holds enough art that if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each piece, it would take you 100 days to see everything!
- WHOA! The Louvre was originally built as a fortress in 1190, and you can still see parts of the original fortress walls in the basement!
- MIND-BLOWN! The glass pyramid entrance contains exactly 666 panes of glass and was super controversial when it was built in 1989 – many Parisians hated it at first!
- INCREDIBLE! The Mona Lisa has its own mailbox at the Louvre because it receives so many love letters and fan mail!
- HOLY COW! If you laid out all the Louvre’s corridors end to end, they would stretch for 8 miles – that’s longer than 140 football fields!
- AMAZING! During World War II, museum staff emptied the entire Louvre in just 3 days to protect the art from the Nazis, hiding pieces in secret locations across France!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At The Louvre:
Mona Lisa (Room 711, 1st Floor, Denon Wing) Get Ready for the Mona Lisa (Room 711, 1st Floor, Denon Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Stand face-to-face with the world’s most famous painting and discover why Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece has captivated people for over 500 years.
INTERESTING FACT! The Mona Lisa is actually painted on a piece of wood (poplar panel), not canvas, and is much smaller than most people expect – just 30 inches tall!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “Spot the Details” – Take turns finding unique details in the painting, like the winding path in the background or the subtle shadows around her eyes.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think people have been so fascinated by Mona Lisa’s smile for centuries?”
DISCUSS: Scientists have discovered that depending on which angle you look at the painting, Mona Lisa’s expression appears to change due to a technique called sfumato, where Leonardo blended colors and shadows so subtly that it creates an optical illusion.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Leonardo da Vinci spent over four years painting the Mona Lisa, perfecting every detail. He used over 30 layers of paint, some thinner than a human hair. The painting has survived theft, vandalism, and even wars, yet still maintains its mysterious allure. The woman in the painting is believed to be Lisa Gherardini, the wife of a silk merchant, though debates about her identity continue to this day.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could create a background for your own portrait, what would you include and why?”
DISCUSS: The landscape behind Mona Lisa doesn’t actually exist in real life – Leonardo created it entirely from his imagination, combining elements from different places to create a dreamlike scene.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Artists during the Renaissance period often used backgrounds to tell stories about their subjects. The winding paths, bridges, and distant mountains in the Mona Lisa’s background might represent life’s journey. The contrast between the rocky, uninhabited landscape and Lisa’s calm expression creates a fascinating dialogue between humanity and nature.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of landscapes in the background (hint: look for mountains, water, and paths).
HINT: Start from the top of the painting and work your way down.
OBJECTIVE: Locate where the painting’s edges have slightly darkened over time.
HINT: Compare the center of the painting to its borders.
Venus de Milo (Room 346, 1st Floor, Sully Wing) Get Ready for the Venus de Milo (Room 346, 1st Floor, Sully Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Stand before one of the most famous ancient Greek sculptures, representing Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty, created around 100 BCE.
INTERESTING FACT! Nobody knows exactly how the statue lost its arms! When it was discovered in 1820 on a Greek island, it was already in pieces.
COOL ACTIVITY! Strike your best Venus de Milo pose and have your parents take a photo (keeping a respectful distance from the actual statue). Try to imagine what pose the statue might have been making with its arms.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could restore the Venus de Milo’s arms, what position would you put them in and why?”
DISCUSS: The statue was carved from two separate blocks of marble and then pieced together – you can still see where they join at her hips!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Archaeologists and art historians have been debating the arm position for 200 years. Some think she was holding an apple (a symbol of beauty), others believe she was spinning yarn, and some suggest she was holding a shield. The statue originally had jewelry, and was painted in bright colors – very different from the white marble we see today. The Greeks often painted their statues in vivid colors, making them look more lifelike.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think this statue has remained so famous even though it’s damaged?”
DISCUSS: The statue stands 6’8″ tall – much taller than a real person – because the Greeks believed their gods should be larger than life!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Venus de Milo represents the Greek ideal of beauty, but these ideals have changed dramatically over time. In ancient Greece, symmetry and proportion were considered the height of beauty. The statue’s S-curved pose, called contrapposto, was revolutionary for its time, making the figure appear more natural and life-like than earlier, stiffer sculptures.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Look for the seam where the two pieces of marble were joined together.
HINT: Focus on the area around the hips, where the draped fabric meets bare skin.
OBJECTIVE: Find three different types of texture in the statue (smooth skin, rippling fabric, rough breaks).
HINT: Walk slowly around the statue (keeping a respectful distance) to see how light plays on different surfaces.
Winged Victory of Samothrace (Daru Staircase) Get Ready for the Winged Victory of Samothrace (Daru Staircase) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This incredible 2,200-year-old marble sculpture of the goddess Nike (Victory) appears to be landing on a ship’s prow, her wings still caught in the wind.
INTERESTING FACT! The statue was created to commemorate a sea battle, and the base is actually shaped like the front of a ship!
COOL ACTIVITY! Stand at different angles on the staircase to see how the statue’s appearance changes – notice how the wind seems to blow through her dress from different viewpoints.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How did the sculptor make stone look like flowing fabric caught in the wind?”
DISCUSS: The sculptor used over 30 different drills and chisels to create the illusion of thin, wind-blown fabric clinging to the goddess’s body.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Ancient Greek sculptors were masters at making hard marble look soft and flowing. They would often carve the marble so thinly that light could pass through it, creating a translucent effect. The artist spent extra time creating deep folds and ripples in the fabric to create shadows that make the movement appear more realistic. This technique is called “wet drapery” and was considered one of the highest achievements in ancient sculpture.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think the artist chose to show Victory landing on a ship rather than standing still?”
DISCUSS: The statue was originally positioned so that sea breezes would hit it directly, making it appear even more dynamic and alive.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The sculpture was designed to be viewed from below, making Victory appear to be descending from the heavens. The positioning on the ship’s prow, the billowing drapery, and the outstretched wings all work together to create a moment frozen in time. Ancient sailors would have seen this as a powerful symbol of divine protection and victory at sea.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different layers of clothing you can see in the statue’s drapery.
HINT: Look for the way the fabric overlaps and creates different patterns.
OBJECTIVE: Find the place where the ship’s prow meets the base of the statue.
HINT: Look for the triangular shape that represents the front of an ancient Greek warship.
Egyptian Antiquities (Ground Floor, Sully Wing) Get Ready for the Egyptian Antiquities (Ground Floor, Sully Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Step into one of the world’s finest collections of ancient Egyptian treasures, featuring real mummies, sphinx statues, and artifacts that are over 4,000 years old!
INTERESTING FACT! The collection includes the actual diary of a pyramid builder, written on papyrus, describing daily life during the construction of the Great Pyramid!
COOL ACTIVITY! Be an archaeologist! Create a sketch journal of your favorite artifacts, noting their hieroglyphs and trying to decode their meanings using the museum’s translation guides.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you could interview an ancient Egyptian pharaoh, what three questions would you ask them about their life?”
DISCUSS: Pharaohs often started building their tombs as teenagers and spent their entire lives preparing for the afterlife – King Tut’s tomb took 10 years to fill with treasures!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The ancient Egyptians believed life was just a preparation for the eternal afterlife. They filled tombs with everything a pharaoh might need – from gold and jewels to everyday items like board games and sandals. They even included tiny model boats, houses, and servants called ushabti, which they believed would come to life to serve the pharaoh in the next world. The pyramids were like giant puzzle boxes, with secret chambers and passages designed to protect these treasures.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think the Egyptians wrote and drew so much on their tomb walls instead of keeping blank walls like we do?”
DISCUSS: The hieroglyphs in Egyptian tombs were like magical spells – they believed that just by writing something down, they could make it real in the afterlife!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Egyptian hieroglyphs are more than just pretty pictures – they’re one of humanity’s earliest forms of writing, combining pictures, symbols, and phonetic sounds. Each wall of text tells a story, from grand adventures of gods and pharaohs to simple recipes for bread. The colors they used were symbolic too – blue represented the sky and water, green meant new life and growth, and gold was the color of the gods. Many of these pigments were made from precious stones and minerals found along the Nile River.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find five different animal hieroglyphs and try to guess what they might represent.
HINT: Look for birds, snakes, and cats – they were especially important in Egyptian writing.
OBJECTIVE: Locate the sarcophagus with the most colorful decorations.
HINT: The best-preserved colors are often on pieces that were protected from light and air for thousands of years.
OBJECTIVE:
HINT: Look for the distinctive white crown of Upper Egypt and the red crown of Lower Egypt.
Napoleon III Apartments (First Floor, Richelieu Wing) Get Ready for the Napoleon III Apartments (First Floor, Richelieu Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Experience the incredible luxury of French royal life in these perfectly preserved rooms where Napoleon III and his wife Empress Eugénie actually lived!
INTERESTING FACT! The Grand Salon’s chandelier weighs as much as a small car and contains over 500 pieces of crystal!
COOL ACTIVITY! Play “I Spy” with the gold decorations – there are over 1,000 different gold elements in these rooms. Try to find the most unusual ones!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “If you lived here in the 1800s, what would your daily routine look like in these rooms?”
DISCUSS: It took 50 servants just to prepare and serve dinner in the State Dining Room, using solid gold plates and crystal glasses that had to be hand-washed with special cloths!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Life in these apartments was like a carefully choreographed dance. Every morning began with servants opening heavy silk curtains and lighting fires in marble fireplaces. The empress would receive visitors in the Grand Salon, sitting on furniture covered in silk from Lyon’s famous workshops. Even the door handles were works of art, crafted by the finest goldsmiths in Paris. The apartments were lit by thousands of candles reflected in massive mirrors, creating a magical glow that made the gold decorations seem to come alive.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think everything in these rooms is so fancy? What does it tell us about how Napoleon III wanted people to see him?”
DISCUSS: The red velvet throne chair in the Grand Salon took eight master craftsmen six months to create, and its gold embroidery contains real gold thread!
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: These rooms were designed to show France’s power and wealth to visiting rulers and diplomats. Every detail, from the painted ceilings to the patterned floors, was chosen to impress. The furniture styles mixed elements from different French kings’ periods, showing that Napoleon III saw himself as their successor. Even the arrangement of rooms followed a specific protocol – visitors had to pass through increasingly grand spaces before reaching the emperor, building anticipation with each step.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find the hidden door that servants used to enter the rooms discreetly.
HINT: Look for panels in the walls that seem to blend in with the decoration.
OBJECTIVE: Count how many different types of precious stones you can spot in the room decorations.
HINT: Check the fireplace mantels and table tops for marble, malachite, and lapis lazuli.
OBJECTIVE:
HINT: The largest rooms usually have the most spectacular ceiling decorations, often featuring mythological scenes.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near The Louvre:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Louvre:
Tuileries Garden: Right outside the Louvre, this beautiful garden is perfect for a post-museum picnic or carousel ride. In summer, there’s a fun fair with rides and treats!
Musée de l’Orangerie: Just a 10-minute walk through the Tuileries, this museum houses Monet’s massive Water Lilies paintings in specially designed oval rooms – it’s like stepping into an impressionist dream!
Pont des Arts: This famous bridge over the Seine River offers spectacular views of the Louvre and Île de la Cité. It’s a perfect spot for family photos and watching boats go by.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “13 Art Mysteries Children Should Know” by Angela Wenzel – Perfect for getting kids excited about art mysteries and famous works they’ll see at the Louvre.
- “The Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler” by E.L. Konigsburg – Though set in New York’s Metropolitan Museum, this classic novel will get kids thinking about art mysteries and museum adventures.
- Download the free “Louvre Kids” app, which offers interactive games and stories about the museum’s masterpieces.
- Watch “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” (parts were filmed at the Louvre) for a fun introduction to museum magic.
- Visit the Louvre’s official website and explore their “Learning with the Louvre” section, which offers free educational resources and virtual tours to preview before your visit.
- Check out “This is Paris” by Miroslav Sasek – A beautifully illustrated book that includes the Louvre and other Paris landmarks, helping kids understand the city’s geography and culture.
Fun Facts
Interesting Things To Know About The Louvre:
- The Louvre began as a medieval fortress in the 12th century before becoming the world’s most visited museum.
- WHOA! The Louvre is so massive that if you spent just 30 seconds looking at each artwork, it would take you 100 days to see everything, viewing 24 hours per day!
- MIND-BLOWN! During WWII, museum staff created a complex relay system to evacuate artworks, emptying the museum in just 24 hours!
- INCREDIBLE! The glass pyramid contains exactly 673 glass panes – not 666 as urban legend claims!
- AMAZING! The Louvre’s original moat still exists beneath the museum and can be viewed in certain areas!
Must-Visit Spots
Where To Go At The Louvre:
Denon Wing – Mona Lisa Gallery Get Ready for the Denon Wing – Mona Lisa Gallery : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Home to Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, this gallery showcases Renaissance art at its finest and demonstrates how one painting changed art history forever.
INTERESTING FACT! The Mona Lisa’s frame is actually a climate-controlled case that maintains perfect temperature and humidity levels, protecting it from the millions of visitors who see it annually.
COOL ACTIVITY! Challenge your teen to analyze the painting’s famous perspective techniques by standing at different angles and observing how the Mona Lisa’s eyes appear to follow them around the room.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think this relatively small painting has become the most famous artwork in the world?”
DISCUSS: The Mona Lisa was actually considered a fairly ordinary painting until it was stolen in 1911, making international headlines and turning it into a global sensation overnight.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The theft sparked a massive investigation that included questioning famous artists like Pablo Picasso. The painting was missing for two years before being discovered in a hotel room in Florence. The thief, Vincenzo Peruggia, claimed he stole it out of patriotic duty to return it to Italy. This event transformed the painting into a cultural icon, demonstrating how value in art isn’t just about artistic merit but also about cultural significance and historical context.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “What techniques did da Vinci use to create such a lifelike quality in his paintings?”
DISCUSS: Da Vinci used a revolutionary technique called “sfumato,” which means “evaporated” in Italian, where he blended colors and tones so subtly that no lines are visible.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Da Vinci was not just an artist but also a scientist who studied human anatomy through dissections. His understanding of human musculature and bone structure allowed him to create incredibly realistic figures. He would layer extremely thin coats of paint, sometimes up to 30 layers, to achieve his signature ethereal effect. This technique influenced generations of artists and revolutionized how we think about creating depth and atmosphere in painting.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Find three other Leonardo da Vinci paintings in the same wing and compare their techniques.
HINT: Look for “The Virgin of the Rocks” and “Saint John the Baptist” – they share similar sfumato techniques.
OBJECTIVE: Identify the architectural elements in the Mona Lisa’s background landscape.
HINT: Notice the winding path and bridge structures – they’re actually based on real locations in Tuscany.
Venus de Milo Gallery (Sully Wing) Get Ready for the Venus de Milo Gallery (Sully Wing) : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? This iconic ancient Greek sculpture represents the pinnacle of Hellenistic art and raises fascinating questions about beauty standards throughout history.
INTERESTING FACT! Despite missing her arms, the Venus de Milo was considered so perfect that 19th-century doctors studied it to understand ideal female proportions.
COOL ACTIVITY! Have teens sketch their interpretation of how the statue’s missing arms were positioned – this is an actual debate among art historians!
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How has society’s definition of ideal beauty changed from ancient Greece to today?”
DISCUSS: The statue was created around 100 BCE, during a time when Greek artists were moving away from perfectly symmetrical features to more naturalistic representations.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Venus de Milo’s body type was considered ideal in ancient Greece, representing fertility and health. Greek sculptors used mathematical proportions called the “Golden Ratio” to create their works. This same ratio appears in nature and is still used in modern art, architecture, and even plastic surgery. The statue’s slightly twisted pose, called “contrapposto,” was revolutionary for its time and influenced artists for centuries.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “Why do you think this damaged statue became one of the most famous sculptures in the world?”
DISCUSS: When discovered in 1820, the statue was deliberately marketed as being from an earlier, more prestigious period of Greek art to increase its value.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The statue’s fame is partly due to clever marketing by the French government, which presented it as a symbol of France’s cultural superiority. The mystery of the missing arms has actually contributed to its allure. Various theories about their position include holding an apple, a shield, or a distaff for spinning wool. The statue’s imperfection makes it more intriguing and has sparked countless artistic interpretations.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Compare the Venus de Milo with other Greek statues in the gallery to identify similar artistic techniques.
HINT: Look for the use of “wet drapery” technique in the clothing folds.
OBJECTIVE: Find evidence of the statue’s original coloring (Greek statues were originally painted).
HINT: Look closely at the folds and crevices where traces of pigment might have survived.
Egyptian Antiquities Section Get Ready for the Egyptian Antiquities Section : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? Houses one of the world’s most comprehensive collections of Egyptian artifacts, offering insights into one of humanity’s earliest civilizations.
INTERESTING FACT! The collection includes the actual diary of an ancient Egyptian worker who helped build the pyramids, complete with details about wages and working conditions.
COOL ACTIVITY! Practice reading hieroglyphics using the museum’s translation guide and decipher actual ancient messages.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How did ancient Egyptians achieve such architectural and artistic precision without modern technology?”
DISCUSS: Egyptian architects used simple but ingenious tools like the plumb bob and water levels to achieve near-perfect alignment in their constructions.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: Egyptian mathematics was incredibly advanced, using a base-10 system similar to ours today. They could calculate complex geometric problems, area, and volume, essential for building pyramids. Their understanding of astronomy allowed them to align buildings perfectly with cardinal directions and celestial events. Many of their engineering solutions are still studied by modern architects.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “What does the Egyptian concept of afterlife tell us about their daily lives and values?”
DISCUSS: Egyptians buried their dead with miniature models of their workshops, farms, and kitchens, believing these would magically become full-size in the afterlife.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The Egyptian belief system was deeply integrated with daily life. Their preparation for the afterlife reveals details about their social structure, technology, and even diet. The quality and quantity of grave goods indicate social status, while inscriptions tell us about family relationships, professions, and personal achievements. These artifacts provide more reliable historical information than many written records.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate the sarcophagus that contains a “nested” design of multiple coffins.
HINT: Look for the coffin of Sennedjem, which demonstrates the “Russian doll” burial technique.
OBJECTIVE: Find examples of how Egyptian art broke the rules of natural perspective.
HINT: Notice how figures are drawn with the head in profile but shoulders facing forward.
Napoleon III Apartments Get Ready for the Napoleon III Apartments : Tips, Activities, and Fun Facts!
THINGS TO KNOW
WHY VISIT? These opulent state apartments showcase the height of Second Empire luxury and provide insight into 19th-century French political power and social life.
INTERESTING FACT! The apartments’ chandeliers were designed to burn special scented oils, creating a signature fragrance throughout the palace.
COOL ACTIVITY! Challenge teens to identify different architectural styles and influences in the room designs, from Baroque to Rococo elements.
THINGS TO TALK ABOUT
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How does the design of these rooms reflect and reinforce political power?”
DISCUSS: The height of each room’s ceiling was deliberately calculated to make visitors feel increasingly humble as they approached the emperor’s throne room.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The apartments were designed as a propaganda tool, combining symbols of past French monarchs with modern luxuries. Every detail, from the Napoleon bee motifs to the arrangement of rooms, was meant to legitimize Napoleon III’s rule. The excessive ornamentation wasn’t just about beauty – it demonstrated France’s industrial and artistic superiority, showcasing French craftsmanship in everything from textiles to metalwork. This same approach to “soft power” through design and luxury continues in modern diplomatic buildings.
ASK YOUR KIDS: “How do these rooms compare to modern luxury spaces, and what does that tell us about changes in society?”
DISCUSS: The apartments’ dining room could be transformed into a ballroom in under 30 minutes using innovative mechanical systems hidden in the walls and floors.
CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION: The apartments represent the last gasp of absolute monarchy in France, where public and private life were intentionally blurred. Modern luxury spaces prioritize privacy and comfort over display and ceremony. The rooms’ technology was cutting-edge for its time – hidden speaking tubes for servants, early central heating, and gas lighting. This mix of tradition and innovation mirrors today’s smart homes, where technology is often disguised behind classical facades.
THINGS TO FIND @ THIS SPOT
OBJECTIVE: Locate the secret doors used by servants to enter rooms invisibly.
HINT: Look for subtle breaks in the wood paneling, especially near serving areas.
OBJECTIVE: Find examples of Napoleon’s personal symbols integrated into the decor.
HINT: Search for bees, eagles, and the letter ‘N’ in unexpected places like ceiling corners and door handles.
Other Nearby Points of Interest
Other great things to do near The Louvre:
BEFORE YOU LEAVE – Make sure to check out more of what this area has to offer! Here are a few nearby spots that we think you’ll love just as much as the Louvre:
Musée d’Orsay: Just across the Seine, this converted railway station houses the world’s greatest collection of Impressionist art.
Centre Pompidou: A striking inside-out building featuring modern and contemporary art that provides an excellent contrast to the Louvre’s classical collections.
Sainte-Chapelle: A gothic chapel featuring stunning 13th-century stained glass windows, demonstrating medieval architectural mastery.
Read before you go
To make your visit even more exciting, check out these age-appropriate books:
- “The Da Vinci Code” by Dan Brown (while fictional, it provides an engaging framework for discussing the museum’s history)
- “Louvre: All the Paintings” by Vincent Pomarède (comprehensive visual guide)
- Download the Louvre’s official app for interactive maps and detailed artwork information
- Watch “Night at the Museum: Secret of the Tomb” for a fun take on the museum’s collection
- Review Khan Academy’s free online course “Art History: A Brief History of the Louvre”
LOCATION SUMMARY
Imagine stepping into a real-life fairy tale castle that’s filled with mysterious treasures from around the world! The Louvre, once home to French kings and queens, is now the world’s largest art museum. Did you know there’s a secret underground moat where a castle once stood? Get ready to embark on an amazing journey through time where every room holds a new adventure waiting to be discovered!