Visit the Louvre in Paris
The Louvre begins before the first painting. You cross a palace courtyard, pass beneath the glass pyramid and enter a building whose staircases, windows and painted ceilings keep reminding you that this was a royal home long before it became a museum. Do not try to conquer every gallery. Choose two or three collections, follow one thread that genuinely interests you, then leave space to turn a corner without a plan. The famous works matter, but so does finding a quieter room where an object can hold your attention without a crowd deciding what to look at. Use the museum's official information for opening days, timed admission, security rules and current gallery closures. Book ahead when required, arrive with only permitted bags and allow for queues. Step-free routes, lifts, wheelchairs, accessible toilets, hearing support and admission arrangements for disabled visitors and companions are available, but routes can change, so check the accessibility map before travelling. Count this complete when you have spent enough time with a handful of works to remember more than the queue for the Mona Lisa. Add it when you want one Paris day to open into several centuries of art, power, craft and argument.