Published on Monday, 1 December 2014 dans Museums & Expos - Hôtel des Métallos
A trip to France will be a great cultural experience in art and in history, through the various and numerous French museums.
But visiting Paris’s museums can also be overwhelming. Long lines and the huge volume of artworks to be seen might decrease your excitement. Please find below some tips that can help you have more enjoy your stay at Hotel des Métallos, and avoid boredom and troubles…
Before going to the museums, try to:
Buy Tickets in Advance
Museum lines are very long, especially during weekends and holidays. But there are usually distinct lines for ticket buyers and people who bought their tickets in advance.
· If you’re European and under 26, entrance is free for you in all national museums such as Le Louvre or Orsay.
· Entrance for national museums is free the first Sunday of each month for everyone.
Arrive There Early (or Very Late)
Check what the opening hours and get there from half an hour to one hour earlier. Museums are also less crowded two hours before closing time. But remember that in this case you will have less time left to see everything.
Take Something to Pass the Time While You’re in Line
Just in case you end up having to wait in line, take something with you to pass the time, like a book or your iPod. Plus, it’s a great opportunity to do some people-watching!
Check out the theme of the Museum
Before going to a museum, it is useful to do a little research on what kind of artworks the museum displays. You can find this information in tourist guides, online travel forums or on the museum’s website. Make a list of the artworks you wish to see, so that you won’t miss out your favorite painting or sculpture while there.
Check the Museum’s Requirements
Some smaller museums request that you schedule your visit by phone. Others forbid you to enter with shorts or miniskirts. Many people, included myself, learn all this the hard way: I paid quite a sum for a so called international student ID that wasn’t accepted in none of the museums I visited. Many tourists have to buy expensive scarves to cover their bare shoulder just to enter the museum. Knowing the museum’s requirements might save you time and money.
When you’re at the museum:
Prioritize
Museum collections are very big. It’s perfectly fine to spend more time at the items you like and quickly browse the ones you are not so interested in.
Use Every Resource Available
Take your time and read those small explanations next to the paintings and the big ones in the beginnings of the exhibitions.
Don’t dismiss the audio guides. They are not free, but they are incredibly helpful and interesting. I used an audio guide in every museum I went to in Europe and they are worth it.
Take the explanatory flyers from the exhibition (and read them afterwards!). Go on guided tours and ask questions.
Art can be tough to understand so take advantage of every single resource the museum has to offer.
Write Down Your Impressions
Take a little pad and pen with you and write down the names of the artworks or artists you liked the most (or even the ones you absolutely hated).
Visit the Temporary Exhibitions
Most major museums have a permanent collection and a temporary exhibition. Paris always offer a wide range of temporary exhibitions for art lovers, renowned all around Europe, often presenting major masterpieces. Check the programme of temporary exhibitions of the Grand Palais, the Pinacothèque, the Musée du Jeu de Paume, the Musée d’Orsay…
Whatever you do, just don’t go to a museum as if it were an obligation. Go to a museum to learn and enjoy art. You might end up having a lot of fun. Hopefully these tips might help you do that!
If you need any information on how to get to a museum or opening hours, just ask us, the staff of Hôtel des Métallos will be glad to help you.
If you need help on how to use Metros and Buses, check our blog for tips.