LET DOWN AT THE LOUVRE

My entire adult life I have wanted to go to the Louvre Museum in Paris. In fact, I originally thought that I would need about 4-5 days alone just to see the whole museum. It breaks my heart to say this but I was disappointed at the Louvre.

This beautiful building was once a palace for Napoleon (and descendants) and although the ceilings in many rooms are almost more lovely than the art within the space is not designed for a museum. There are numerous half floors, confusing stairways, a maze-like map and staff so subtly dressed (and busy chatting with friends and texting) it is not obvious that they are there to assist you. Everything is in French; nothing is in English. So you can't read any of the plaques that describe the art (paintings, sculpture, antiques). The audio guide only described a small handful of things. In the 4 hours I was there only 5 of the items I was curious about where on the audio guide.

It was Friday night, the least crowded time frame, and it was a complete zoo. As I was jostled along with 500 other people crowding my personal space I did get to see some of the things I wanted but it was so loud and crowded it was difficult to focus. As I stood in front of the famous Mona Lisa painting, with at least 90 other people - each trying to get a picture of themselves standing in front of the painting posing and making the peace symbol with their fingers - I questioned why I had even bothered to go in the first place. This made me very sad.

Being the stubbornly optimistic and positive person that I am there was no way I was going to leave the Louvre with this negative experience in the forefront of my memory. What a terrible memory that would be and I could not allow that. In a fit of determination I chose to go and see something "different"; the Napoleon III apartments (located in the less visited Richelieu wing). A nearby security guard who could see that I was on the edge of a serious meltdown directed me to a short cut to the Richelieu wing.

Never before had the phrase "Saved the Day" been more appropriate. The apartments were kept as they originally were complete with opulent furniture, accessories and decor. This quiet, opulent and elaborate exhibit was beautiful and a real delight. I left the museum happy and satisfied.