Putovanje kroz kaldrmom popločane ulice, od ateljea Picassa i van Gogha do bijele kupole Sacré-Cœura i crvenih vjetrenjača Moulin Rougea.
Montmartre, nekada boemsko srce Pariza, a danas nezaobilazna turistička postaja, i dalje odiše duhom umjetnosti, slobode i bunta koji ga je proslavio. Smješten na najvišem pariškom brežuljku, ovaj kvart nudi jedinstven spoj bogate povijesti, zadivljujuće arhitekture i panoramskog pogleda na "Grad svjetlosti". Šetnja njegovim strmim, krivudavim i kaldrmom popločanim ulicama putovanje je kroz vrijeme, u doba kada su ovdje živjeli i stvarali neki od najvećih svjetskih umjetnika.
Povijest ispisana na brežuljku
Povijest Montmartrea seže duboko u prošlost. Ime mu, prema jednoj teoriji, potječe od latinskog naziva Mons Martis (Marsovo brdo), dok ga druga veže uz mučeničku smrt prvog pariškog biskupa, Svetog Dionizija, u 3. stoljeću (Mount of the Martyr ili Brdo mučenika). Stoljećima je Montmartre bio selo izvan gradskih zidina Pariza, poznato po vinogradima, voćnjacima i gipsanama. Na brežuljku se nekada nalazilo čak trinaest vjetrenjača koje su mljele pšenicu, a danas su sačuvane samo dvije: Moulin Radet i Moulin de la Galette.
Tek 1860. godine Montmartre službeno postaje dio Pariza. Zbog svog statusa izvan poreznog sustava grada, cijene hrane i pića bile su niže, što je privuklo siromašnije stanovništvo i umjetnike. Ovaj kvart je također poznat po svom buntovničkom duhu; 1871. godine njegovi stanovnici su proglasili kratkotrajnu, ali značajnu Parišku komunu. Utočište boema i umjetnika
Krajem 19. i početkom 20. stoljeća Montmartre postaje epicentar umjetničkog života. Niske stanarine i slobodarska atmosfera privukle su umjetnike poput Pabla Picassa, Amedea Modiglianija, Vincenta van Gogha, Henrija de Toulouse-Lautreca, Pierre-Augustea Renoira i Edgara Degasa. Ovdje, u zgradi poznatoj kao Le Bateau-Lavoir, Picasso je naslikao svoje revolucionarno djelo "Gospođice iz Avignona".
Umjetnici su se okupljali u kabareima poput Le Chat Noir (Crni mačak) i Lapin Agile, kao i u plesnim dvoranama poput svjetski poznatog Moulin Rougea, koji je otvoren 1889. godine i postao simbolom Belle Époque razdoblja. Duh umjetnosti i danas živi na trgu Place du Tertre, gdje brojni slikari i karikaturisti nude svoje radove posjetiteljima.
Nezaobilazne znamenitosti
Bazilika Sacré-Cœur (Bazilika Svetog Srca)
Veličanstvena bijela bazilika na samom vrhu brda jedan je od najprepoznatljivijih simbola Pariza. Njena gradnja započela je 1875. godine kao čin pomirenja nakon Francusko-pruskog rata i Pariške komune.
Izgrađena je od travertinskog kamena koji pod utjecajem kiše postaje sve bjelji. Unutrašnjost krasi najveći mozaik u Francuskoj, a s platoa ispred bazilike pruža se jedan od najljepših pogleda na grad. Ulaz u baziliku je besplatan, dok se uspon na kupolu naplaćuje oko 6 €.
Musée de Montmartre (Muzej Montmartre)
Smješten u jednoj od najstarijih zgrada na brežuljku, gdje je nekoć bio atelje Renoira i Suzanne Valadon, ovaj muzej nudi uvid u bogatu povijest i boemski život kvarta.
Uz stalnu postavu koja prikazuje djela umjetnika povezanih s Montmartreom, muzej ima i prekrasne vrtove s pogledom na jedini preostali vinograd u Parizu, Clos Montmartre.
Ostale atrakcije:
Moulin Rouge: Legendarni kabare s crvenom vjetrenjačom, poznat po plesu kankan, i danas nudi raskošne predstave.
Le Mur des Je t'aime (Zid "Volim te"): U malom parku Jehan Rictus nalazi se zid na kojem je ispisano "Volim te" na više od 250 jezika svijeta.
Rue de l'Abreuvoir i La Maison Rose: Slikovita ulica s poznatim ružičastim restoranom, jedna od najfotografiranijih lokacija na Montmartreu.
Place du Tertre: Živahni trg gdje umjetnici slikaju portrete i pariške motive, zadržavajući boemsku atmosferu starih vremena. Zanimljivosti i praktične informacije
Filmska slava: Šarm Montmartrea ovjekovječen je u popularnom filmu "Amélie" iz 2001. godine. Mnoge lokacije iz filma, poput kafića Café des Deux Moulins, i danas su popularne među posjetiteljima.
Stepenice: Zbog strmog terena, Montmartre je ispresijecan s čak 38 stepeništa. Za one kojima je uspon previše naporan, na raspolaganju je uspinjača (Funiculaire de Montmartre).
Rodno mjesto Renaulta: U jednoj od najdužih ulica, Rue Lepic, Louis Renault je 1898. godine konstruirao svoj prvi automobil.
Kako doći do Montmartrea?
Do ove pariške četvrti najlakše je doći javnim prijevozom :
Metro: Linija 12 (stanica Abbesses) ili linija 2 (stanice Anvers ili Pigalle). Stanica Abbesses poznata je po tome što je najdublja u Parizu, ali ima lift.
Autobus: Nekoliko autobusnih linija vozi do podnožja brda, uključujući linije 30, 54 i 80.
Pješice: Uspon pješice, iako zahtjevan, pruža priliku za otkrivanje skrivenih kutaka i šarmantnih ulica.
Za potpuni doživljaj preporučuje se posjet u jutarnjim satima kako bi se izbjegle gužve ili u večernjim satima radi romantičnog zalaska sunca i pogleda na osvijetljeni Pariz. Zbog kaldrmisanih i strmih ulica, udobna obuća je obavezna.
Na uglu Trga Saint-Germain-des-Prés, pod legendarnom zelenom tendom, nasuprot jedne od najstarijih crkava u Parizu, nalazi se mjesto koje je mnogo više od kavane. To je Les Deux Magots, institucija,pozornica i spomenik jednoj eri kada su se revolucije kovale uz zvuk žličica i miris vruće kave. Sjesti danas za jedan od njezinih okruglih stolova na terasi znači udahnuti ne samo pariški zrak, već i duhove Picassa, Hemingwaya, Sartrea i de Beauvoir. Posjetili smo ovu legendarnu kavanu kako bismo otkrili priču o tome kako je postala epicentar intelektualnog i umjetničkog života 20. stoljeća.
Od trgovine svilom do hrama intelektualaca
Priča o Les Deux Magots ("Dva Magota") ne počinje s kavom, već sa svilom. Godine 1812. otvorena je kao trgovina novotarijama i luksuznom robom, a ime je dobila po tada popularnoj kazališnoj predstavi "Les Deux Magots de la Chine" (Dva Magota iz Kine). "Magot" je francuski izraz za figuru kineskog mandarina.
Kada se trgovina 1873.preselila na današnju lokaciju, sa sobom je ponijela i dvije velike, drvene figure mandarina koje i danas, s počasnog mjesta, nadgledaju goste i svjedoče o podrijetlu imena.
Godine 1885. posao se preorijentirao na prodaju likera i kave, a mjesto je brzo postalo omiljeno sastajalište pariške umjetničke elite. Pjesnici poput Verlainea i Mallarméa bili su među prvim redovitim gostima, postavljajući temelje za ono što će Les Deux Magots postati – neslužbeni klub najvećih umova svoga vremena.
Zlatno doba – Sartre, de Beauvoir i Izgubljena generacija
Ipak, svoje mjesto u povijesti Les Deux Magots je zacementirala u godinama nakon Drugog svjetskog rata. Postala je epicentar egzistencijalističkog pokreta. Ovdje, za svojim stolom, Jean-Paul Sartre je pisao svoje filozofsko djelo "Bitak i ništavilo" i promatrao svijet. Pored njega, Simone de Beauvoir je pisala "Drugi spol", djelo koje će postati kamen temeljac modernog feminizma. Njihov prijatelj (i često suparnik u raspravama), Albert Camus, također je bio redovit gost. Kažu da je ova kavana bila njihov ured, dnevni boravak i ispovjedaonica, mjesto gdje su se rađale,razvijale i branile ideje koje su oblikovale poslijeratnu misao.
No, lista slavnih gostiju tu ne staje. Prije egzistencijalista, nadrealisti predvođeni Andréom Bretonom ovdje su kovali svoje umjetničke planove. U međuratnom razdoblju, američki pisci iz "Izgubljene generacije", poput Ernesta Hemingwaya i F. Scotta Fitzgeralda, liječili su svoje rane i pisali o njima uz čašu apsinta. Slikari poput Pabla Picassai Fernanda Légera skicirali su na salvetama, a pisci kao što su James Joyce i Bertolt Brecht ovdje su nalazili inspiraciju.
Umjetnost pariškog života i okus povijesti
Sjediti u Les Deux Magots danas je lekcija iz "umjetnosti življenja" na pariški način. Interijer je ostao gotovo nepromijenjen: crvene sjedalice od umjetne kože, tamni drveni namještaj i, naravno, dva magota koja promatraju sve.Konobari, odjeveni u tradicionalne crno-bijele uniforme s dugim pregačama, kreću se s efikasnošću i dostojanstvom koje priliči mjestu s takvom poviješću.
Iako je jelovnik bogat, doći ovdje znači isprobati klasike. Njihova gusta, starinska topla čokolada, "chocolat chaud à l'ancienne", koja se poslužuje u posebnom vrču uz zdjelicu tučenog vrhnja, nije samo piće, već doživljaj. Promatranje prolaznika s terase, s pogledom na crkvu Saint-Germain-des-Prés, postalo je kvintesencijalno pariško iskustvo.
Zanimljivosti i priče
Književna nagrada: Kako bi zadržala svoju vezu s književnošću, kavana je 1933. godine utemeljila vlastitu književnu nagradu, Prix des Deux Magots, kao svojevrsnu pobunu protiv prestižne, ali tada smatrane previše konzervativnom, Goncourtove nagrade. Nagrada se dodjeljuje i danas. Vječno Rivalstvo: Tik do Les Deux Magots nalazi se njezin vječni rival, Café de Flore. Cijela intelektualna scena Pariza bila je podijeljena – bili ste ili "čovjek od Magotsa" ili "čovjek od Florea". Prelazak iz jedne u drugu kavanu bio je znak promjene savezništva ili raspoloženja. Sartre i de Beauvoir su, na primjer, bili poznati po tome što su se selili iz jedne u drugu ovisno o dobu dana ili inspiraciji.
Turističke informacije: Vaše mjesto za stolom povijesti
Lokacija: 6 Place Saint-Germain-des-Prés, 75006 Pariz, Francuska.
Kako doći:
Metro: Najlakši način. Postaja Saint-Germain-des-Prés (linija 4) izlazi izravno na trg, ispred kavane. U blizini je i postaja Mabillon (linija 10).
Cijena i radno vrijeme:
Cijena po danu (cijena doživljaja): Ovo nije mjesto s ulaznicom, već s cjenikom. Cijene su osjetno više nego u prosječnoj pariškoj kavani, ali ovdje plaćate za povijest, lokaciju i atmosferu. Očekujte da ćete za klasični pariški doživljaj – kavu (espresso ili café crème) i croissant – izdvojiti između 15 € i 25 €.
Radno vrijeme: Les Deux Magots je otvorena gotovo cijeli dan, svakog dana u tjednu, obično od 7:30 ujutro do 1:00 iza ponoći. Savjet: Najljepše je doći u prijepodnevnim satima, zauzeti stol na terasi i promatrati kako se pariško jutro budi.
Dok jesen boji pariško nebo u zlatne i grimizne nijanse, srce europske magije, Disneyland Paris, ponovno se pretvorilo u spektakularno i "mwah-ha-ha-sretno" igralište. Ovogodišnji Disney Halloween Festival (Festival vještica) nudi savršenu mješavinu uzbuđenja, smijeha i sablasnih iznenađenja, pozivajući posjetitelje da se pridruže "Mischief Makers" (Izazivačima nestašluka) ili se suoče s "Villainous Masters" (Zlim gospodarima).
Činjenice i datumi: Vaš vodič za sablasnu sezonu 2025.
Disneyland Paris, turističko odredište broj jedan u Europi, sastoji se od dva tematska parka (Disneyland Park i Walt Disney Studios Park) te niza hotela i mjesta za zabavu. Park je otvoren 1992. godine i od tada je dom bezvremenske magije, ali i sezonskih proslava.
Disney Halloween Festival 2025. traje od 1. listopada do 2. studenoga 2025. Cijeli Disneyland Park pretvara se u scenu iz bajke ukrašenu bundevama u boji, preslatkim duhovima i vijencima jesenskog lišća.
Najvažnije zanimljivosti Halloweena 2025. Mickey's Halloween Celebration Cavalcade (Mickeyjeva proslava vještica): Pripazite na ovu živahnu povorku u kojoj Mickey i Prijatelji, prerušeni u vesele vještičje šaljivdžije, klize niz paradnu rutu. Očekujte nova lica i nove odore za 2025., uključujući Chip 'n' Dale u novim kostimima i povratak trojca The Three Caballeros (José Carioca i Panchito pridružuju se Donaldu Ducku).
Susreti s Disney Zločincima: Najhrabriji posjetitelji mogu potražiti Zle Gospodare poput Maleficent, Kapetana Kuke, Cruelle i Kraljice Srca, koji su spremni za nestašluke i savršene "zle" fotografije.
Jack Skellington i Sally: Obožavatelji Tima Burtona mogu se susresti s Kraljem Bundeva (Jack Skellington) i njegovom prijateljicom Sally iz "Predbožićne Noćne More" u posebnom prostoru u Frontierlandu. Jack navodno ima i novi izgled za 2025. godinu!
Projekcije na Main Streetu, U.S.A.: Svake večeri, Main Street, U.S.A. doslovno "oživi" na posve novi način s fascinantnim spektralnim projekcijama koje uranjaju posjetitelje u magičnu, ali pomalo nestašnu noćnu atmosferu.
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Unlucky Nugget Saloon (Nesretni Grumen Salon): Po prvi put, restoran The Lucky Nugget Saloon u Frontierlandu pretvara se u The Unlucky Nugget Saloon. Ovo je ukleta priča inspirirana legendarnom atrakcijom Phantom Manor (Fantomski dvorac), a priča govori o svadbenoj gozbi koja se nikada nije održala za Mélanie Ravenswood. Restoran nudi sablasni dekor i tematski jelovnik.
Noć Vještica (31. listopada): Na samu Noć Vještica, Park nudi produženo radno vrijeme, sve do 23:00 sata. To je jedini dan kada su i odrasli pozvani da se kostimiraju (uz ograničenja: bez nošenja maski preko lica i bez ometanja iskustva drugih posjetitelja).
Priče i povijest sablasne atmosfere
Halloween u Disneylandu nije samo dekoracija; on je duboko isprepleten s bogatom pričom parka.
Priča o Phantom Manoru i "Unlucky Nugget"
Disneyland Paris ima jedinstvenu priču za svoju verziju Haunted Mansion (Uklete vile), poznatu kao Phantom Manor. Priča se vrti oko obitelji Ravenswood i njihove kćeri, Mélanie. Henry Ravenswood je nakon pronalaska zlata osnovao grad Thunder Mesa (gdje se danas nalazi Frontierland). Njegova kći, Mélanie, trebala se udati, ali njezini su se prosci nizali i nestajali pod zagonetnim okolnostima. Mnogi vjeruju da ih je ubio osvetoljubivi Fantom.
Preobrazba Lucky Nugget Saloona u Unlucky Nugget Saloon za Halloween 2025. godine nadovezuje se na ovu priču. Navodno je u salonu trebala biti održana gozba u čast vjenčanja Mélanie, ali je neobjašnjivo propao, zbog čega su ga mještani preimenovali u "Nesretni Grumen". Posjetiteljima se nudi prilika da zakorače u ukleto blagovanje koje se nikada nije održalo.
Duh "Pumpkin Men"
Originalna povijest Halloweena u Disneyland Paris je također imala svoju jedinstvenu legendu. Na početku sezone, park je oživljavao priču o Pumpkin Men (Ljudima od Bundeve), živahnim stvorenjima koja izviru iz vinove loze i posvećena su bojanju svega u najsjajniju narančastu boju.
Ova stvorenja su koristila "Pumpkin Paint Pit" (Jam za boju od bundeve) blizu Big Thunder Mountain, boreći se s "Spooky Specter Slime" (Sablasnim sluzavim duhom) kako bi donijeli veselu, narančastu čaroliju u Park. Iako su se elementi proslave mijenjali tijekom godina, duh vesele, nestašne sablasnosti ostao je središnji dio Festivala.
Turističke informacije i kako doći do Disneylanda
Disneyland Paris nalazi se u Marne-la-Vallée, otprilike 32 km istočno od Pariza, što ga čini idealnim mjestom za jednodnevni izlet iz francuske prijestolnice ili za dulji boravak.
Kako doći do Disneylanda iz Pariza
1. Vlakom (RER A): Najlakši i najbrži način
Linija: Uzmite regionalni vlak RER A iz središnjeg Pariza (stanice poput Charles-de-Gaulle-Étoile, Auber, Châtelet-Les Halles, Gare de Lyon ili Nation).
Stanica: Krajnja stanica je Marne-la-Vallée Chessy, a putovanje traje oko 35-40 minuta.
Stanica RER A je udaljena samo 2 minute hoda od ulaza u Disneyland Park i Walt Disney Studios Park.
2. Autobusom (Disneyland Paris Express):
Disneyland Paris Express nudi direktne shuttle buseve od glavnih lokacija u Parizu (npr. Gare du Nord, Eiffelov toranj, Opéra).
Ova opcija nudi praktičnost direktnog prijevoza, često s kupnjom ulaznice za Park.
3. Automobilom:
Putovanje traje oko 40 minuta, ovisno o prometu. Dostupno je veliko parkiralište. Gosti Disney hotela imaju besplatan parking.
Savjeti za uživljavanje u Halloween sezonu
Rezervirajte Rano: Halloween je jedna od najpopularnijih sezona za posjet Disneylandu Paris. Preporučuje se rano rezerviranje ulaznica i smještaja.
Odsjednite u Disney Hotelu: Boravak u jednom od Disney hotela omogućuje vam pogodnosti poput "Extra Magic Hours" (Dodatni magični sati), što znači raniji ulazak u Park prije službenog otvaranja.
Posjetite Atrakcije s Jezivom Tematikom: Osvježite svoje strahove u atrakcijama poput Phantom Manor(Fantomski dvorac) ili The Twilight Zone Tower of Terror u Walt Disney Studios Parku.
Disneyland Paris u listopadu nije samo turistička atrakcija, već potpuno tematsko iskustvo. Bilo da volite vesele nestašluke ili susrete sa zlim majstorima, Disney Halloween Festival 2025. obećava recept za vraški zabavnu avanturukoju ne smijete propustiti.
Postoje mjesta u Parizu koja odišu poviješću i mjesta koja blistaju luksuzom. Rijetka su ona gdje se te dvije stvari spajaju u tako savršenoj harmoniji kao na trgu Place Vendôme. Ušavši u ovaj arhitektonski dragulj u obliku osmerokuta, smješten u srcu 1. arondismana, napuštate vrevu grada i ulazite u svijet tihe, beskompromisne elegancije. Ovdje izlozi ne prodaju samo nakit i satove; oni nude snove, a zrak je ispunjen pričama o kraljevima, carevima, revolucionarima i ikonama stila. Posjetili smo ovaj simbol moći kako bismo istražili njegovu burnu prošlost i blistavu sadašnjost.
Kraljev san i Napoleonov trijumf
Priča o trgu započinje krajem 17. stoljeća, s vizijom Kralja Sunca, Luja XIV. Želeći stvoriti monumentalan prostor koji bi slavio njegove pobjede, angažirao je arhitekta Julesa Hardouin-Mansarta, istog čovjeka koji je radio na Dvorani ogledala u Versaillesu. Hardouin-Mansart dizajnirao je savršeno simetričan osmerokutni trg, okružen identičnim, elegantnim fasadama u stilu francuskog klasicizma. Iako je prvotna konjanička statua Luja XIV. uništena tijekom Francuske revolucije, trg je ostao kao remek-djelo urbanističkog planiranja.
No, svoj današnji, najprepoznatljiviji izgled trg duguje Napoleonu Bonaparteu. Nakon pobjedonosne bitke kod Austerlitza 1805. godine, car je odlučio u središtu trga podići spomenik svojoj Velikoj armiji. Tako je nastao Vendômski stup (Colonne Vendôme).
Stup sudbine – uspon, pad i ponovno rođenje
Vendômski stup, visok 44 metra, nije samo spomenik; on je komad isprepletene europske povijesti.
Izliven iz pobjede: Spiralni brončani reljefi koji ga ukrašavaju izliveni su, prema legendi, od 1200 topova zaplijenjenih od poraženih ruske i austrijske vojske kod Austerlitza. Na vrhu je postavljena Napoleonova statua u liku rimskog cara.
Revolucionarni gnjev: Stup je bio simbol carstva i militarizma, stoga je postao meta tijekom Pariške komune 1871. godine. Revolucionari, predvođeni slikarom Gustaveom Courbetom, srušili su stup uz veliko slavlje. No, nakon pada Komune, donesena je odluka o njegovoj obnovi, a Courbet je osuđen da plati troškove, što ga je financijski uništilo.
Povratak Cara: Stup je ponovno postavljen 1874. godine i danas stoji kao moćan podsjetnik na Napoleonovu eru i burnu povijest Francuske.
Svjetska prijestolnica visokog nakita
Tijekom 19. stoljeća, Place Vendôme počeo je privlačiti najprestižnije svjetske draguljare. Godine 1893. Frédéric Boucheron donio je povijesnu odluku i postao prvi draguljar koji je otvorio svoj butik na trgu, odabravši najsunčaniji kut kako bi dijamanti u njegovom izlogu što jače sjali.
Uskoro su ga slijedili i drugi. Danas je Place Vendôme globalni epicentar visokog draguljarstva (Haute Joaillerie) i urarstva. Ovdje se nalaze saloni legendarnih kuća kao što su Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Chaumet, Boucheron, Breguet, Patek Philippe i Rolex.
Priče iz Hotela Ritz i susjedstva
Na broju 15 smjestio se još jedan simbol trga – Hôtel Ritz Paris, otvoren 1898. godine. Njegovi hodnici i apartmani čuvaju bezbrojne priče.
Coco Chanel: Legendarna dizajnerica živjela je u Ritzu više od 30 godina, sve do svoje smrti. Njezin apartman i danas je jedan od najprestižnijih u hotelu.
Ernest Hemingway: Pisac je bio redovit gost bara, koji danas nosi njegovo ime. Poznata je (iako vjerojatno uljepšana) priča kako je na dan oslobođenja Pariza 1944. godine sa skupinom boraca upao u hotel i simbolično "oslobodio" svoj omiljeni bar.
Frédéric Chopin: Slavni skladatelj preminuo je od tuberkuloze 1849. godine u stanu na broju 12, s pogledom na trg.
Princeza Diana: U jednoj od tužnijih epizoda moderne povijesti, princeza Diana provela je svoju posljednju večer u hotelu Ritz prije tragične automobilske nesreće 1997. godine.
Turističke informacije: Vaša šetnja kroz luksuz
Lokacija: Place Vendôme, 75001 Pariz, Francuska. Smješten je sjeverno od Vrtova Tuileries i zapadno od Opére Garnier.
Kako doći:
Metro: Najbliže postaje su Tuileries (linija 1), Opéra (linije 3, 7, 8) i Pyramides (linije 7, 14). Sve su na 5-10 minuta hoda od trga.
Cijena po danu i doživljaj:
Cijena po danu: Posjet trgu Place Vendôme je, naravno, potpuno besplatan. Šetnja, divljenje arhitekturi i razgledavanje izloga ne koštaju ništa i predstavljaju jedinstven pariški doživljaj.
Cijena ulaska u svijet koji se nudi u izlozima, međutim, priča je za sebe i mjeri se u tisućama, pa i milijunima eura.
Savjet: Posjetite trg dvaput. Jednom danju, kada sunce obasjava fasade, a izlozi sjaje punim sjajem. I drugi put navečer, kada diskretna rasvjeta stvara čarobnu, gotovo filmsku atmosferu.
Place Vendôme nije samo trg; to je izjava. Izjava o moći, ljepoti, umjetnosti i vječnoj privlačnosti luksuza. Prošetati njegovim savršenim osmerokutom znači prošetati kroz neke od najvažnijih i najglamuroznijih trenutaka pariške povijesti, osjećajući puls grada tamo gdje on najsjajnije kuca.
Visiting the Louvre for the first time can seem daunting. It’s the largest art museum on the planet, and contains everything from prehistoric statues and Egyptian sarcophagi to the world’s most famous painting – the Mona Lisa. From all the top highlights to hidden gems, this Louvre guide will give you a full idea of what to see and do at this amazing museum, as well as all the practical information you need.
What to see at the Louvre: the highlights
There are some truly unmissable things to see when visiting the Louvre. Certain works of art have become iconic for a reason. Have you ever been to a place only to miss the most crucial sights? Don’t let it happen again, and make sure you don’t accidentally miss out on some of the Louvre’s biggest highlights.
The Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
It’s estimated that 80% of people come to the Louvre to see the Mona Lisa alone. Approximately 30,000 visitors a day arrive to view this masterpiece, which can lead to some pretty big lines. As you approach the room in which it’s displayed (known as ‘the Mona Lisa room’), you’ll start noticing the crowds increase.
We’ll warn you in advance: it’s going to be busy, the painting is going to be smaller than you expect, and you won’t be able to spend an hour closely examining it. With that being said, it’s easily the most famous painting in the world, and do you really want to spend your life not seeing it?
Venus de Milo – Alexandros of Antioch
This Ancient Greek statue is generally believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty – who the Romans later conveniently decided was theirs, and renamed Venus. It was discovered in the ruined ancient city of Milos (hence the name) in 1820, after originally being sculpted between 130 and 100 BC.
Some scholars have a hot take, however: it’s not actually Aphrodite, but Amphitrite, a nautical goddess who was worshipped with particular devotion in Milos. In terms of iconic ancient statues, you can’t get much more famous than this one. It even inspired an episode of The Simpsons, over 2,000 years after it was originally created. Now that’s some serious cultural longevity.
Liberty Leading the People – Eugène Delacroix
There’s a reason we tend to think of ‘Lady Liberty’, and it’s not New York’s iconic green statue. This painting by Delacroix shows liberty personified as Marianne – basically the human form of the Republic of France itself.
It’s one of the earliest depictions of this now-ubiquitous concept, and was a direct inspiration for Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi’s famous Statue of Liberty. There’s no greater artistic representation of the French Revolution, which is also why it had such a controversial start to life.
Despite being a crowning achievement of the greatest Romantic painter of the time, it ended up spending years hidden in an attic by the government for fear of inspiring riots and – who could have predicted it – revolution. Fun fact: originally it was going to be displayed in the French throne room, as a friendly reminder to the king of what might happen if he fails to remember some core ideas like ‘liberté, égalité, fraternité’.
The Raft of the Medusa – Théodore Géricault
Displayed in close proximity to Liberty Leading the People, this iconic painting is often seen as the pinnacle of French Romanticism. Based on a true event (a shipwreck which caused the death of over 100 sailors), Théodore Géricault’s painting shows the depths of despair that the survivors – desperately clinging to a life raft – resorted to.
The Raft of the Medusa shows the effects of starvation, dehydration, and cannibalism in gruesomely realistic detail. Even more gruesome when you consider the extent to which the artist researched his topic, as he visited hospitals and morgues to study the deathly pallor of the dying and deceased in order to represent it in his work. As you might have guessed, the painting received lavish praise as well as stern condemnation upon its reception, but has since become one of the legendary staples of French art.
Winged Victory of Samothrace
As you begin to ascend the staircase, you might start hearing murmured “wow”s and the sound of camera shutters doing overtime. Why’s that? No big deal, only one of the most spectacular ancient Greek statues ever created. Winged Victory takes pride of place in the Louvre for a reason, and can be admired (and photographed) from plenty of different angles.
It depicts Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and was most likely created to celebrate a military success. Standing almost 2.5 meters high, just over 8 feet, you can almost see the trail of wind rushing in her wake. If you’re visiting the Louvre for the highlights, this one is unmissable.
Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss – Antonio Canova
While undeniably one of the Louvre’s highlights, this intricate and complex statue by Canova could also go under ‘hidden gems’ depending on who you ask. It generally doesn’t draw the crowds that other masterpieces like the Mona Lisa or Venus de Milo do (if you’re lucky, you might even be the only one admiring it), but over the years this depiction of two mythological lovers has become emblematic of romance, passion, and devotion. The statue is intended to be viewed from several different perspectives, revealing something new every time – so make sure to walk around and take it in from multiple angles!
The Law Code of Hammurabi
This imposing basalt stele, full of ancient symbols and laws, is unmissable for anyone with an interest in the past. King Hammurabi of Babylon is one of history’s most famous rulers, and this object represents what he claimed was his divine right to rule – having received the blessing of the sun god Shamash.
It’s one of the earliest examples of a legal text, and might well have been crucial in the formalizing of written laws. Look at it and imagine how it must have felt to live thousands of years ago, seeing this huge dark monolith telling the story of how your ruler spoke to the sun god himself. Pretty sweet!
The Louvre Pyramid – I.M. Pei
Architecture can be considered a form of art, especially when it’s as spectacular as the late I.M. Pei’s pyramid. Despite the Louvre being located in a Renaissance-style palace, most people will immediately think of the glass pyramid in the courtyard. It was completed in 1989, to the great dismay of some local Parisians – many saw it as too modern, incongruous, and bizarre. Since then, even the most fervent opposition has been won over (for the most part), and the Louvre’s pyramid is now as iconic as the Eiffel Tower. The best part? You literally can’t miss it – it’s the main entrance to the museum.
What to see at the Louvre: the hidden gems
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and while paintings like the Mona Lisa generally become famous for a reason, there are plenty of incredible things in the Louvre that don’t get nearly as much attention as they deserve. Here are some lesser-known treasures for you to discover during your Louvre visit.
The medieval Louvre | Pavillon de l’Horloge
Below the first floor, you’ll find the oldest part of the Louvre, dating back to medieval times. Transport yourself back to 1190, as King Philip II prepares to leave for the Third Crusade. Scarred by his defeat to Richard Lionheart, in which he lost his sacred archives, the king realized he needed to make sure the city was safe from the English in his absence – and was likely also motivated by an earlier Viking invasion that came all-too-close to successfully conquering the French capital. The solution? Build an insurmountable castle right next to the Seine. The Louvre Castle.
Despite the hyper-modernity of the pyramid and everyone snapping selfies with the sphinx, it’s easy to feel disoriented for a second as the centuries seem to roll back while walking around here. Seeing the ancient underground walls and remnants of the castle built to defend Paris between 1190 and 1215 is a humbling experience, and makes you realize just how long this place has been around.
The Intervention of the Sabine Women – Jacques-Louis David
This 1799 painting by Jacques-Louis David isn’t one of the world’s most iconic works of art, but perhaps it should be. Imprisoned during an especially volatile period of French history full of terror, executions, and revolution, the painting was intended to encourage reconciliation and understanding, representing the triumph of love over hatred and warfare. It shows the Sabine women in the middle of the action, separating warring factions, while others scramble to rescue infants and children from the battle. As relevant today as it was back in the 18th century, it’s visually striking and open to plenty of new modern interpretations.
A Forest Floor with Snakes and Butterflies – Otto Marseus van Schrieck
Potentially the most obscure artwork in this guide, this hidden gem won’t be making many top 10 lists – but there’s a reason it’s being displayed at the Louvre. Created by Dutch painter Otto Marseus van Schrieck in 1670, the combination of snakes and butterflies hovering around the undergrowth in the woods immediately draws the eye of visitors who come across it.
The striking eyes and facial features of the serpents add an ominous undertone to this darkly coloured painting, and the contrast of beauty and darkness is enough to captivate anyone who gives it more than a passing glance.
Portrait of the Artist with a Mocking Face – Joseph Ducreux
You might not recognize Joseph Ducreux’s name, but there’s a chance you’ll recognize his face. Having risen to some prominence on the internet multiple centuries after his death, Ducreux’s entertaining self-portrait has gained a new appeal in 21st-century meme format.
Seeing it on display, you’ll understand why. Is it the cheeky grin, the powerful choice of headwear, or the 18th-century pre-cursor to finger guns? It’s hard to say for sure, but there’s something about this painting that manages to entertain everyone who sees it.
Portrait of Madame Pasteur, née Madeleine Alexandre – Antoine-Jean Gros
A mysterious female figure with unknown motivations behind what appears to be the hint of a smile. No, it’s not the Mona Lisa – it’s Madame Pasteur. This portrait was painted by the young Antoine-Jean Gros, who might well be the definition of a ‘tortured artist’.
After gaining renown based on his portraits of a young Napoleon (at this time still a mere general), Gros’s status quickly rose as he became one of France’s most admired painters. Unfortunately, his success didn’t last. Over time, his focus shifted away from Napoleon, and the public criticism of his work intensified to the point of driving him into deep depression. Gros drowned himself in the Seine aged 64.
There are several fascinating things about this painting, but the main one has to be the subject’s expression and body language. It’s neither open nor closed, mildly shy but still engaging, and the overall feeling is one of light-hearted innocence. Look at the way the woman (who commissioned the painting herself) is dressed – not in aristocratic splendour, but in a relatively simple gown. Portraits were often commissioned as a form of self-expression, so how is she trying to portray herself to the world?
One last thing: Alexandre Madeleine Pasteur was around 25 years old when this portrait of her was created. Gros was around 23. While there is no indication that their relationship was anything more than professional, look closely at the painting, and see if you can detect a glimmer of something more.
Galerie d’Apollon
This spectacular gallery, which hosts the French crown jewels, is a work of art in itself. With golden decorations and paintings from wall to ceiling, it’s visually stunning and one of the Louvre’s most genuinely gasp-inducing areas. This hall was restored at the command of Louis XIV, the Sun King, and essentially served as a prototype for the famous Hall of Mirrors at the Palace of Versailles. If you can’t fit in a day trip to Versailles, visiting the Louvre and seeing this amazing gallery is the next best thing.
Henry James, the famous British-American author, visited the Galerie d’Apollon aged 13, and had the following to say: “… its supreme coved ceiling and inordinately shining parquet, a prodigious tube or tunnel through which I inhaled little by little, that is again and again, a general sense of glory. The glory meant ever so many things at once, not only beauty and art and supreme design, but history and fame and power, the world in fine raised to the richest and noblest expression.” Thanks Henry.
Boy Strangling a Goose
The last thing you might be expecting to see at the Louvre is a naked boy ferociously choking and punching a goose. That’s exactly what you’re going to see. You can basically hear the goose honking for vengeance, and the dynamism of the scene is undeniable. Just think about the fact that at some point around 2,000 years ago, a Roman sculptor devoted weeks of their life to crafting this spectacular depiction of a child fighting a bird. It’d be rude not to admire it.
It’s believed that this statue was based on an original Greek work, which was found in the ancient Asklepion (healing center) on the island of Kos. This has led some art historians to believe that the statue may be a metaphor for the struggle against disease and fevers – presumably represented here by the goose being ruthlessly pummeled. Either way, it’s one of the Louvre’s many unexpected delights.
How to get the most out of visiting the Louvre
The Louvre is massive. If you’ve never been before, imagine a very, very, very big museum. Now double that. Seriously, it’s bigger than you think. Luckily, the museum has anticipated that people might be a bit overwhelmed and has created a series of recommended routes to take.
For the quick and ambitious
If you’re interested in seeing as many top highlights in as little time as possible, try the ‘Masterpieces of the Louvre’ walking routes. There are two in total, one for the Denon Wing and one for the Sully Wing, with each lasting around 90 minutes. The first lets you see the inimitable Mona Lisa, The Raft of the Medusa, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and more. The second will take you past the Louvre’s medieval history, Venus de Milo, and other ancient artifacts and artworks.
For families with kids
Parents with teenagers rejoice: museums are cool again. Jay-Z and Beyoncé filmed an exclusive music video here, and fans of either of these pop culture icons will relish the opportunity to retrace their steps throughout the museum. This is exactly why the Louvre has its own designated walking trail devoted to the Carters. Spend 90 minutes admiring some of the artworks featured in the video, including The Intervention of the Sabine Women, The Coronation of Napoleon, and – of course – the Mona Lisa.
For the art aficionado
Honestly, you could spend days wandering around the Louvre. And that’s exactly what you should do if you’re seriously into art. Divide your visit up into two separate days, and plan out what you want to see in advance. Whether it’s a deep-dive into the Italian Renaissance or an exploration of Egyptian funerary art, the Louvre has you covered. Alternatively, spend one day making sure you get to see the highlights, and return again to do some further exploration of lesser-known gems like the ones mentioned above. This way you’ll get a comprehensive overview of the art and artists at the Louvre.
Practical information about visiting the Louvre
On the first Saturday of each month, the museum is open from 18:00 to 21:45, and admission is free.
Getting there
The Louvre is easy to get to. Plenty of metro services and buses go towards it, and it’s basically in the heart of Paris. The closest metro stations are Louvre Rivoli and Palais Royal Musée du Louvre, which are both on Line 1, also known as the Yellow Line. You can also take a scenic boat cruise along the Seine and hop off near the Louvre! If you’re coming from Gare du Nord, it’s even possible to walk – it’ll take around 35 minutes, depending on your speed and motivation. Choose whichever option works best for you.
Getting in
Here’s an understatement: a lot of people want to visit the Louvre at the same time as you. While you can’t control the crowds, you can still guarantee getting access to the museum smoothly and easily. How? By booking a designated time slot. This means you A) avoid the gigantic line of non-ticket holders, and B) know for a fact that you’ll get in around a certain time. It’s as easy as showing your smartphone ticket to the attendant, waiting for them to say “OK, merci” and walking into the iconic pyramid.
Here’s another understatement: the Louvre is big and it’s pretty easy to get lost. Make sure you download a map on your phone for easy reference (or grab a physical one at the start), or you will become one of the many lost-looking people trying to track where they are. In case you don’t like taking advice from the internet, there are also diagrams around the museum that will tell you where you are.
Every room in the museum is numbered, making navigation slightly easier. If you know there’s a sculpture you want to see in room 703, look at what room number you’re in currently. Is it 701? Great, you’re close, just keep going. Is it 305? Something has gone horribly wrong. Time to consult that map.
Getting tired
This is something you want to avoid. Travel light, wear comfortable shoes, and bring some water. You’re going to spend a good couple of hours on your feet, and those ancient Roman sculptures start looking less noble and more vindictive as you get increasingly tired. Don’t hesitate to sit down, take a break, and look at the art around you. That’s what all the benches are for!
What to add to your Paris agenda
Visiting the Louvre is a Paris must-do, but it’s certainly not the only one. For more museums, try out the nearby Musee d’Orsay or Musee l’Orangerie – both filled to the brim with Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by artists like Van Gogh, Monet, Renoir, and Cezanne.
If you’re all done with art after spending a few hours at the world’s biggest museum, try some other local landmarks. The Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe are two of the most iconic buildings in the world, and they’re waiting patiently for you to take pictures of them. Once the museums have closed for the day, it’s also worth checking out a racy Parisian cabaret show in the evening – culture has never been so exciting! But no matter what else you’re planning to do in Paris, the Louvre is a great place to start.
Wanting to visit the Louvre? Make sure you book your Louvre tickets for a specific time slot in advance, and get into the museum with minimal fuss. If you’re overwhelmed at the amount of things to see, try a guided tour of the Louvre’s highlights to take the pressure off.
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