My sister and I spent a rather exhaustive day walking to and around the Louvre. Our guidebook had all sorts of tips on how to survive the Louvre; including carrying your own collapsible chair and resting frequently. However, after you have experienced the hordes thronging there, that suggestion doesn't seem so ridiculous. It's almost difficult to enjoy the artwork when you have to elbow your way through a crowd to see it. Of course, once you abandon the "famous" pieces (Mona Lisa...) things do quiet down a bit and you can tour more at your own leisure. I found the architecture of the rooms just as lovely as the pieces they featured.
It's really remarkable how buildings have been adapted over time; something you don't often see in the States due to our relatively short history. The Grand Louvre was initially a fortress built in the late 12th century, was converted into a home for Charles V in the 14th century, and was later occupied by the Académie des Inscriptions et Belles Lettres and the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture, which in 1699 held the first of a series of salons. Even when it became a public museum it was far different from what we recognize today; artists lived in residence and unlabelled paintings hung on the walls. Oh, if those walls could talk, no?
Outfit details:
vintage dress, thrifted
Tabio tights
Cheap Monday sunglasses
*pictures, blog title, courtesy of my sister
Here's a little video, which is rather shaky, but hopefully captures some sense of the day.
CONVERSATION