British Musem and the Louvre, two of the world's greatest museums
Tips on visiting these treasure-houses of art
by Henry Neuteboom
Compiling a list of the top ten museums of the world is not an easy task, but there is no doubt that the Louvre and the British Museum are pretty close to the top. In terms of number of visitors, they are actually in the top two positions, with the Louvre attracting 8,500,000 visitors a year, and the British Museum 5,850,000. (France and England have three museums each in this top ten, with respectively the Centre Pompidou, Musée d'Orsay, Tate Modern and National Gallery. The USA has three museums in the top ten, the Metropolitan and MOMA in New York, and the National Gallery in Washington. The other museum in the top ten is the National Museum of Korea in Seoul).
The Louvre, founded in 1793, has been a "museum for all" right from the start. It is home to some of the most famous works of art in the world, such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Its staff numbers 2,000 people. Its almost 35,000 exhibits - part of the total collection which numbers over 380,000 objects - run from prehistory to 1848. It is expanding to new locations in France and abroad. The Louvre-Lens will open in Lens, in the Pas-de-Calais region, in 2012, and work is proceeding on the building in Abu Dhabi that will house the Louvre Abu Dhabi. In addition, it organizes special exhibitions abroad, and in 2008-2009 shows in China, the United States and another 14 countries attracted about 6.5 million visitors.
The British Museum is a remarkable compilation of history and culture, with over seven million objects from all over the world. It originated from a single private collection, that of physician Sir Hans Sloane, who bequeathed 71,000 items to King George II. The Parliament established the museum in 1753, and over the next few years, it acquired many more pieces, principally books and manuscripts. From then on, it expanded constantly, reflecting its aspiration to be a "museum of everything," open free of charge to all "studious and curious persons". Its Greek, Roman and Egyptian antiquities were enlarged not least by the museum's own excavation projects, uncovering sites such as the Mausoleum of Kalikarnassos, one of the Wonders of the Ancient World. Buildings were refurbished and more space was added. Today, the British Museum itself has about 13 million objects, while the 70 million natural history items have become the Natural History Museum, and there are presently 150 million books at the British Library, also part of the original institution. About 50,000 items are on show.
These two museums have one characteristic in common: they are both vast! So the tips on visiting them are in some ways similar. First of all, there is no way you can see everything, so it's a good idea to work out a tactic for getting the most out your time there. For example, in both museums, it is important to take a look online first, and ideally to select a theme area, or a certain part of the museum. For example, in the British Museum, you could concentrate on Ancient Greece and Rome; in the Louvre, you could visit the first floor of the Denon wing to see the superb collection of Renaissance art.
Otherwise, you could concentrate on the museum's highlights. At the British Museum, they distribute a free museum map that lists 20 highlights. Just seeing these takes a couple of hours. At least you'll be able to see these pieces with the degree of concentration that will produce a rewarding experience.
At the Louvre, there are guided tours, including a few in English, that start from the Pyramide throughout the day. Check tour times on the board. In both museums, audioguides are well worth the money.
At the Louvre, there is an entrance charge, and this means queues at the ticket office under the Pyramide. If you buy your ticket in advance online at louvre.fr, at FNAC or other department stores, you can save time. Admission is free on 14 July and the first Sunday of each month, but this attracts even greater crowds. If you have to buy a ticket, try the Porte des Lions entrance (closed on Fridays). If you get to the museum as soon as it opens, you may be able to see the Mona Lisa without the crowds.
Follow this link to read more information on the Louvre and its halls
Follow this link to read more information on the British Museum and its halls
