Ask any artist and he'll tell you that there is no other city that embodies art like Paris. Almost everything you see is quite picture-perfect - from the sidewalk cafes and the confectioners, to the bakeshops and boutique hotels; Paris just seems to be an artist's dream!
No Escaping Art in Paris
But what if you're not quite one of those people who can name the painter of a masterpiece from ten metres away? What if you can't tell a Manet from a Monet, or a Rubens from a Reuben sandwich? Not to worry, it's no reason to stay huddled up in shame inside those avant-garde boutique hotels - Paris is one of those places that's conducive to a crash course in art history, art appreciation, and just plain art!
This lovely city is a treasure trove of masterpieces. For some reason, it seems that the Muses have made it their headquarters - almost everything is inspired. From the quaint shops to the boutique hotels, Paris seems to be a place that culturally promotes the development of a keen sense of aesthetics in everyone. If you'd like to soak up some of this kind of culture, there are a few places you could start, and top of the list is the Louvre!
It's Okay To Feel Like a Tourist Sometimes
Even if you're not artistically inclined, the world's largest and most visited museum is probably somewhere on the top of your list of places to visit - after checking into one of those quaint boutique hotels. Paris' famous repository of masterpieces from all over the world is practically a city within a city. Even an entire weekend inside the Louvre wouldn't be enough to fully appreciate and absorb the collections housed within its famed walls.
The truth is, it's just as easy (and quite understandable) to get as dazed inside the Louvre as it is to get lost in those quirky side streets if you happen to take a wrong turn in the city. The Louvre is in a constant state of flux, and even if you've been in the museum before, chances are that you'll find new additions on a return visit.
Art Appreciation, the Parisian Way
Start with a healthy breakfast first at one of those quaint cafes around your boutique hotels - Paris's gem of a museum can take up all day (or more) and you'll need the energy! While there are places to get refreshments, like the Richelieu, Denon or Mollien cafes nearby, a quaint sidewalk café is, well, more Parisian. Now you're fortified for the some 35,000 works of art and artefacts on show! Off you go!
Remember that the Louvre has eight departments housing art collections over three wings: Denon, Sully and Richelieu. You can start by entering the atrium under the glass pyramid where each wing has its own entrance, then pass internally from one to another.
Make sure you go into the glass-roofed sculpture courts on the ground floor of Richelieu, with French sculpture below and Italian Renaissance pieces in the Denon wing. Then perhaps move on to the Grand Galerie and Salle de la Joconde - where the Mona Lisa awaits. From here, proceed wherever the urge and your feet care to take you - for as long as you have the time and energy before the walk back to your cosy boutique hotels. Paris' art experience at the Louvre will leave you feeling inspired yourself and you may even feel like coming back the next day!
If you're looking for boutique hotels, Paris has a wonderful selection. Roberta Stuart is the Travel Manager for World Hotels, a company offering the best rooms at a Paris boutique hotel and a selection of unique and four and five star hotels around the world.
Article Source: Roberta_Stuart
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