Louvre Records Another Record Year of Visitors

The Louvre crowd in front of the Mona Lisa

The Louvre Museum has bested 2010's record number of visitors with its 2011 numbers. Almost 9 million people visited the legendary Louvre Museum in 2011. The Louvre Museum, home to such famed works of art as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, drew more than 66% of its visitors from abroad. The countries with the most visitors to the Louvre in 2011 included the US, Brazil, Italy, China and Australia. Explore the Louvre with our Group and Private Touring options.

Free Paris Museums

There are world-class museums on (almost) every corner of Paris. Some, like the Louvre, are legendary and filled with some of the world’s most priceless art. Visiting places like the Louvre come at a price, however.  Entry tickets are 10 euro now, the museum itself is vast and the crowds can be overwhelming. There are alternatives to visiting places like the Louvre that will give you a much more intimate Parisian art experience, for free (that’s right – free!). Here are a few of the museums in Paris that never charge an entry fee:

1) Modern Art Museum of Paris – it’s hard to believe that Paris’ modern art museum is free of charge, but it is (at least, to it’s permanent collection.  The museum sometimes charges entry fees for its exhibitions). Home to works by luminaries like Matisse, Derain and Vuillard, and many others, it explores the emergence of modern art in the 20^th century.

2) Musée Carnavalet – the Paris museum of history houses and a exquisite collection of art and is a ‘must-see’. Contained in the Hôtel Carnavalet, a breath taking renaissance building in the heart of the Marais, the museum itself is an architectural wonder.

3) The Fine Arts Museum of Paris – the Petit Palais, located on the famed Champs-Elysees was built in 1900 for that year’s World Fair. It is home to an important collection of sculpture and murals created in the early 1900’s.  Works by the likes of Cezanne and Monet are kept here in the permanent collection while the temporary exhibits focus on mediums like photography, modern art and more. 

Upcoming Events in Paris

Celebrate Paris in the Fall by taking part in some of the many events happening over the next 2 months!

Montmartre Wine Festival

From Oct 6 - 11, 2011, celebrate Paris' last remaining vineyard, in the Montmartre district, during this annual wine festival. Held each October, wine producers from all over France gather for the 5 day local festival.

The 40th Festival d’Automne

The Festival d’Automne (Fall Festival) is a months long celebration of modern arts in the city of Paris. The festival includes many different art forms, including visual arts, theater, dance, music and cinema. The Fall Festival presents original works that are experimental approaches to art by over 40 commissioned artists.  

La Semaine du Goût

Explore the art of French cuisine during La Semaine du Goût (The Week of Taste) in Paris from Oct 17th through Oct 23rd. Learn more about the legendary French cuisine from the most famous chefs in Paris (and France) as they invite the public into their c

Spring Time in Paris

Spring has officially arrived in Paris, and both the locals and tourists have come out to play in droves. There is truly no city as wonderful in the spring as Paris. If you're lucky enough to be visiting the city this season, you're in for a wonderful treat. Gone are the black outfits that Parisians hide behind during the gray, cold winter. Instead, if you're very lucky, you may spy a Parisian wearing a pop of color and (gasp!) a smile.

We wanted to showcase a few of the best places to spend a sunshine-filled afternoon in Paris. Below are a few spots that are ideal for some people watching, reading a favorite book, or sipping a cafe noir.

Cafes: Paris is truly a cafe city, and the options for sitting outside and people watching at one are endless. Find yourself a spot (perhaps at Le Dome or Le Select in Montparnasse which were two of Hemingway's favorites) and settle in with a good book, a cafe noir, or a glass of pinot.  Tip Alert: A word of caution – outdoor seating usually comes at a premium, with prices 1 to 2 euros higher for each item listed versus the prices on the regular menu.

Gardens du Luxembourg: the second largest park in Paris, is gorgeous and filled with lush gardens and fountains. The perfect place to picnic with friends, or a waste away a quiet afternoon reflecting on your trip so far, the Gardens du Luxembourg never disappoint. You may even spot French politicians during your visit, as the French Senate is located on the park.  Tip Alert: Keep your eyes peeled for the Pantheon, which one can see from the Luxembourg Palace.

Parc du Champs: My personal favorite park in all of Paris is the Parc du Champs. Located at the base of the Eiffel Tower, one can watch everything from local soccer (excuse me, futbol) pick up games, to families exploring the grounds, to friends picnicking with a bottle of wine. So grab a baguette and some cheese, a bottle of red, and settle in for an afternoon.   Tip Alert: this is also a prime spot to visit in the evening, when the Eiffel Tower's light show begins.

French Open: this may be more of a personal favorite, but what could be better than watching the world's best tennis players compete at the world's premier clay court tennis event? Will Francesca Sciavone repeat at age 30? Will Rafael Nadal tie Bjorn Borg's French Open record? Will Djokovic solidify his position as the world's best in 2011?   Tip Alert: Don't have a ticket to the French Open?  Catch all the important matches on a giant screen deployed at the Hotel de Ville (Paris City Hall) throughout the tournament.

Upcoming Art Exhibits in Paris

Here at Aeon we love to keep our guests informed about upcoming events in Paris. Below are a few of the art exhibits that are open now, or opening in the next few days. Enjoy!

Paris Remembers Basquiat

Celebrate the new exhibition space at the Paris Pinacothèque, which opened on January 26, 2011. The first exhibit presents the treasures of the Romanovs, with over one hundred rare works on loan from the legendary the Hermitage Museum of St. Petersburg. Now through May 29, 2011.  LEARN MORE

The Heads of Franz Xaver Messerschmidt Come to the Louvre

Famous for his series of male heads created in the 1700's, Messerschmidt studied at the Vienna Academy of Fine Arts in 1755. Although initially rejected by art academia, his famed series of expressive male heads has since gained international acclaim posthumously. Now through April 25, 2011.  LEARN MORE

Discover Manet, the Inventor of Modern Art, at the d'Orsay Museum

Manet, famous for defying the old renaissance masters with his 'new' modern art style, challenged them with his contemporary modern day paintings. He was adamant about creating art that was “not great art, but sincere art”.   April 5 – July 3, 2011.  LEARN MORE

Essential Films About Paris

Paris is a traveler's dream - perfect museums, quaint city streets, fresh bakeries on every corner.  There's something about the famous city that enchants both first time visitors and those that have been countless times.  Unfortunately, while we may love the city, it isn't always possible to be in the City of Lights.  Occasionally, nasty responsibilities like work and family life prevent us from returning as often as one would like.

However, there are several movies that speak to us about at Paris - from romantic comedies, to dramatic indie films, it seems there is no shortage of filmmakers obsessed with the city.  Here are just a few to help satiate your Paris cravings:

1) Amelie (famous modern tale that takes our heroine Amelie through the city and Montmartre)

2) Da Vinci Code (Dan Brown's action/drama about the secrets beneath the Louvre)

3) Sex in the City (Carrie visits the fashion capitol of the world, falling hopelessly in and out of love)

4) Moulin Rouge (Appealing to those with musical taste, Nicole Kidman's performance earned her an Oscar nomination)

5) The Bourne Identity (Action packed thriller that takes place in Paris, amongst other famed European capitols)

6) Paris When It Sizzles (A classic film for those old-fashioned romantics in all of us)

7) Le Divorce (Naomi Watts and Kate Hudson sizzle in this family study)

8) Marie Antoinette (Sophia Coppola's artsy study of the legendary Queen stars Kirsten Dunst in arguably her best work yet)

9) Chocolat (a romance sure to make all of us chocolate fans, this hit stars Juliet Binoche and Johnny Depp)

10) Madeline (a family friendly flick that focuses on the child heroine)

Of course there are countless other films that take place in Paris, but these should be a good place to start.

The French Open Will Stay in Paris

After much debate surrounding the possibility of moving the legendary French Open tennis tournament to a new, more modern stadium has ended with the decision to keep it in its current location.  The most famed clay court tournament in the world had been courted by the Versailles Palace, as well as the french suburbs of Gonessse and Marne-La-Valles, but eventually lost out due to the huge expenses that would be involved with building brand new stadiums.


The French Tennis Federation had been considering a move due to the space limitations of the tennis facilities so close to the center of Paris.  The tournament continues to grow in popularity around the globe, and the federation had wanted a more modern stadium, in the likes of the US Open in Queens, New York and the Australian Open in Melbourne, Australia.


Many of the players cautioned against moving Roland Garros, because they believe the essence of the tournament lies in its intimacy and proximity to Paris.  As Roger Federer said when asked about the possible move: “How can I say?” Federer explained, “What about the soul of Roland Garros? This is what we might miss after.”