How to visit the Louvre with kids

The Louvre in Paris is the world’s largest art museum, so big in fact it would be impossible to see all 380,000 pieces the museum exhibits in one day.  Now here’s the scenario. Two kids in tow. Targeting the right pieces with a strategy to navigate the Louvre. And all before the dreaded onset of boredom. A daunting prospect for any parent.

Visiting the Louvre with kids

Watch my highlights video below of the family scavenger hunt around the Louvre.

What to see at the Louvre?

With around nine to ten million visitors a year, the Louvre museum also takes the crown as the most popular museum in the world. It’s home to some of the most famous artworks and sculptures – Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and of course the Mona Lisa, plus some phenomenal artefacts from the Egyptian and Greek epoch. When you have young impressionable minds to nourish, missing out on these would be a pity.

Something to bear in mind are the signs on the Louvre paintings are obviously all in French. Not a problem for those fluent in French of course, but I hate not being able to answer a ‘What’s this mummy?’ question. The museum does provide audio guides, but it’s not always the best way to visit a museum with young children. Zero interaction is a surefire way of hearing the two ghastly words – ‘I’m bored!’

So what do we have now – A gargantuan area to cover. Over-crowded. Parental knowledge inadequacy. Visions of a great first visit fading fast into oblivion.

With all this in mind, it was a no-brainer, a tour guide was conducive to a successful first trip. We booked a private two-hour family tour with Paris Muse. It certainly became a highlight of our Parisienne adventure. Here’s why this is one of the best ways to visit the Louvre with young children:

Skip the lines Louvre

No need for your heart to sink when you see the huge queue outside the glass pyramid entrance waiting for their Louvre museum tickets. Although, there is no escape from the security checks which may have queues; with a Louvre tour guide, you can fast-track your way past the line.  All kids (and most adults) will agree waiting patiently is the pits.  

TOP TIP: Don’t bring any large bags. They won’t fit in the lockers provided in the cloakroom

Louvre private tour

We met our guide Henry outside the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel opposite the Louvre. Whilst stood outside the impressive building he engaged the girls with questions and gave us a short recap on its colourful history – From its origins as a fortress in 1190 to a royal palace in the 16th century before opening as a museum at the end of the 18th century.

Henry presented both girls with their own case detective workbook. Their eyes lit up at the fact they’d be on a scavenger hunt around the museum for treasure. The tour is designed to give kids aged 6 – 12 years old an entertaining insight into the history of the masterpieces whilst playing a sleuth detective. Their answers to the clues finally lead them to an educational prize hidden under the Louvre’s glass pyramid.

Focused

The scavenger hunt took us through a broad range of collections from Ancient near East, Egyptian, Greek and Roman through to Renaissance Italian and French.

On a first visit, it gives you a real sense of the vastness of the museum and touched on all the major masterpieces you’d want to see.

Relaxing

Time to be honest parents. When was the last time you visited a museum with the kids and actually found it relaxing? We’re all super keen to ensure our kids are cultured and hopefully share some of our passion for the arts. Although the days of mooching around and immersing yourself fully in the art are long gone. Well, until you hire a private tour guide.

Mr S and I shared a knowing look as we walked behind our enthused girls on the scavenger hunt. We revelled in being able to wander around stress-free. There were even proper adult conversations in between polishing up on our own knowledge. Priceless!

All the best bits!

The first clue bought wide eyes aplenty when it took us to the Code of Hammurabi Plinth. It’s the world’s oldest written Babylonian law from ancient Mesopotamia dating back to the 2nd century BC!

Although excited to finally see the Mona Lisa, like most people the girls found it rather underwhelming in real life when you see it’s only a little larger than an A2 piece of paper. The hordes who surround it daily make it tricky for little ones to catch a glimpse. I promise you she’s in front of the crowd behind bulletproof glass.

Of course, I’ll always find a way for a camera click!

Next to entice their young minds was the inspiration behind a world-famous sports brand. The Winged Victory of Samothrace is also known as Nike of Samothrace. It’s one of the most celebrated sculptures in the world and conveys action and triumph as well as a sense of incredible movement.

One of the most famous works of ancient Greek sculpture is Venus de Milo. Created around 100 BC it’s believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess…the summit of beauty and love. And Venus was her name. She’s got it – yeah baby, she’s got it…Sorry slight digression back the tour.

The department of Egyptian Antiquities is home to one of the largest sphinx sculptures in existence outside of Egypt.

The 26 ton Great Sphinx of Tanis had to be pushed through a hole in the wall when there was no machinery available to lift such a weight. Believe me, it’s big.

And finally…

I was quite impressed with the level of enthusiasm our guide retained through the course of the two hours with the girls. It’s something we could never have achieved and wonderful to watch them fully immersed in the hunt.

The Louvre can be overwhelming for an adult, never mind a child. This guided family tour is a fantastic way to combine entertainment and education in the world’s most famous museum.

At €320 for a family of 6 or fewer, these tours aren’t cheap. In my opinion, if you’re going to splurge on anything maybe pass on another electronic device and instead go for culture and memories that will last a lifetime.

READ MORE: 11 Unmissable Experiences in Paris

For more information on the family Louvre tour and other tours Paris Muse runs, please head to their website here.

Disclaimer: We received a complimentary family tour, however, all views, opinions and photos unless otherwise stated are my own and remain a copyright of the Curious Pixie.

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