An Evening at the Louvre

One could spend eons viewing all of the artwork, but you can see highlights in about three hours, which many guidebooks will outline for you. Too imposing? Consider one of several guided tours from Context Travel, which last 2.5-3 hours. The Mona Lisa is always crowded, but there are many rooms which you will have to yourself, such as the sculpture room pictured here on our Friday night visit. Entry included in the Paris Museum Pass; €15 without pass.

To extend your evening at the Louvre, make a late dinner reservation at Café Marly, the only restaurant with exceptional views of the Louvre both inside (the Cour Marly room of French sculptures) and outside (I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid). Snag a table on the terrace and gaze away. Open daily 8am-2am. Photo credit: Peter K Burian