How to Survive the Louvre with Kids

In college, I majored in the Arts and Humanities...which they told me I could use for any job, but which meant job prospects with a degree in the humanities were nil. I eventually figured out how to use it to my advantage professionally, but one of the things I took from my degree was the beauty of art, music, and literature. I looked forward to the day I could share that beauty with my own children...and what better place to do that then at the Louvre?

Fast forward 15 years, and I've taken my boys to several art museums. However, one thing I didn't realize 15 years ago, is how I'd feel about showing my own sons all the nudity there is in art. 15 years ago, I probably looked past it all, and I get it...the painting and sculpting masters considered the human body God's most perfect creation, so replicating it was the highest form of artistic creation one could achieve. But in today's world of immorality, and being a father of 4 boys, I must admit that I don't like the display of the human body in art--which is probably why I've always been more of a fan of the impressionist works of Monet and Van Gogh, who focused less on the body.

Taking all of this into account, I was both ecstatic and hesitant to take my boys to the Louvre in Paris.  If you've ever been there, the museum itself is more than a gallery, it's a virtual department store of the history of art. Taking it all in requires an entire day...something that even the most artistic youth would tire of.

Plus, with only a day or so in Paris, who wants to spend the whole time in an underground museum? So here's what we did:

1. Find the most memorable art pieces and only see those. I know what you're thinking...isn't that a waste of money? Well, not so. Kids under 18 are free, and you're only paying 13 euro per adult. Our choices? The Mona Lisa (which is so small, it's actually quite underwhelming) was top on our list

2. Celebrate the art that isn't undressed. The Winged Victory is a nice piece for that, as were pieces depicting the Last Supper, the Crowning of Napoleon, and Artemis.

3. When necessary, use a censor.

 Lord Byron was happy to help censor Venus Di Milo