Days out diary - child friendly and family activities

Family days out Swing ride at The Big Sheep Family days out fun with boats Family days out Baby Elephant at Twycross Zoo Family days out Magna Science and Technology Centre Family days out childrens farm Family days out Thomas land and children railways Family days out London area

Musée du Louvre in Paris

28 February 2011

Musee du Louvre, ParisLike the rest of my day out reviews this is a review on how family friendly the site is, but unlike the others on this occasion I didn't take the kids. The reason was because I didn't have my children with me, but as I found out this was probably a good thing.

Musée du Louvre is a museum in Paris focusing primarily on art. The biggest collections are of European paintings (mainly French and Italian), but there are also large collections of sculptures, Egyptian artefacts and some furnished rooms. It is most famous for Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, although personally I preferred some of the other paintings, there is no disputing it's popularity with a large crowd gathered in front of the painting.

The museum is free for children (proof of age required) and €10 for adults for the main museum. Additional charges are made for temporary exhibitions and audio guide.

My favourite parts of the museum were the Napoleon III's suites and the Egyptian Antiquities. I'm not much of an expert when it comes to art, but it was certainly interesting looking around the paintings.

Napoleon III dining hall at Musee du Louvre, Paris

If taking children then it's worth knowing that a significant number of the paintings and sculptures feature nudity. This seams to be very common in French and Italian art, which is something that is not seen so much in British art. I don't think this should put you off from taking children, but it's better to be forewarned.

Unfortunately there didn't appear to be anything specifically for children at the museum. All the exhibits were of the "do not touch" variety. I wouldn't take much to add some interactive terminals or some other kind of interactive activity. This could even have been just in a single zone designated as being more interactive. The lack of anything specifically for children means that I'd not recommend it as somewhere to take children unless they had a specific interest in art.

British art: Constable painting at Musee du Louvre, Paris

Later this year we are hoping to go to take the children to another art museum in Europe which I believe will be more appropriate.