I went to some amazing museums and galleries in Milan and Paris, and a few in the UK too. The history they hold is breath-taking. I loved learning about how people lived, and seeing iconic artwork. It’s also interesting seeing how others take it all in – lingering looking, or quick photo snaps to look at later. How lucky was I to absorb such culture and history!
I saw The Duomo in Milan – dating back to the 1300s. How the heck did they build such an enormous, detailed building with the technology at the time?!
I loved that there was a small fee for taking photos – an honesty fee. I think it was two euro – and the staff wanted visitors to take photos and share them.
As I took this photo, about 50 others stood before the window taking the same photo.
I went to the National Museum of Science and Technology: Leonardo Da Vinci in Milan – filled with planes, ships and cartography. I was in awe of how innovative inventors and designers were centuries ago and also how technology has progressed. There were some great displays of modern technology that was very hands-on for kids.
I also toured The Louvre (huge!), Musee de l’Orangerie (beautiful paintings by Monet), and the Fragonard Perfume Museum in Paris. I think I saw the museums of music and ballet too, but only went to the ballet gift shop.
Selfie with Mona Lisa.
It was Tuesday afternoon at the Louvre and it was so busy!
Surprisingly, the perform museum didn’t smell as amazing as I imagined.
No photos allowed inside Orangerie – a pity because it was filled with Monet. Amazing.
A friend and I sat outside the Tower of London. In hindsight I should have gone inside!
No photos allowed inside the Victoria and Albert Museum. Maggie and I asked a stranger to take this one outside.
Book ahead online to avoid queues
I queued for almost an hour in Milan and Paris – one time I queued longer than I spent looking at the art! There were often two queues – one for prepared people who booked ahead, and one for people who just turned up. The first queue moved very fast and I was envious! I will book ahead every time now.
I was amazed with how big the museums and galleries were! The Louvre was huge! (It’s over 60,600. And they are very busy and crowded – many are top tourist destinations. And so it was impossible to see everything in a limited time.
Save your money for the gift shops.
I measure the quality and my enjoyment of a museum or gallery on the gift shop! If it’s stocked with amazing art and craft, I am happy! You can often get replica prints in frames or on cards, magnets or scarves from gift shops. And they stock an amazing range of jewellery – which never weighs much in your suitcase on the trip home.
Have you got any advice?
Oh yes I love a good museum gift shop too! From MoMA in NYC I bought the cutest black umbrella with a white silhouette of the New York Skyline on it… when it rains the white skyline turns multi coloured!! So ace 🙂
Oh I so want to visit the Louvre, I was in Paris on a travel tour and it was shut on the day we were there.. It's amazing how big everything is and how long you need to line up to see things. I'm in awe of how they built things so long ago with limited technology too. Zoe xx
Oh Carly I'm so envious I'm lost for words!! Thanks for sharing. Armchair travel is better than no travel at all x