Paris - Musee de Louvre

Wednesday, 18th September

Had a bit of a sleep in this morning, probably because we lost an hour compared to London time. Set off to visit the Louvre Museum today; needed of course to stop at one of the local patisseries on the way ....mmmm, croissant and chocolate eclairs - yum yum !

 Here we are at the Louvre in Paris...

 We were being extra vigilant as we had read and heard a lot about the pickpocketing problem around and even in the Louvre.  It wasn't long before we were approached by a young girl of around 16 years, carrying a spiral-bound notebook. She was going from person to person saying "Excuse me, do you speak English?" Just as we had seen in videos ....where one of them distracts you asking for directions /offering to give directions whilst her accomplice(s) try to steal your bag, wallet etc. So we just said "No" and kept walking.  Even later, whilst in the crowds near the Mona Lisa, the security guards quickly identified a young woman who was standing near us and ushered her away from everyone.  None of this however spoiled our day - the Louvre is amazing, even if crowded.

 Now for those photos where you point, balance or hold something; in this case, glass pyramids...

 On to the Italian paintings...

 ...and finally to the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci...

 An asian gentlemen tried to slip under the barrier to take a closer photo and was pounced on by the security guards and lead away from the exhibition.

 We also spent some time perusing the collection of Egyptian antiquities...

 Walk like an Egyptian...

 The sarcophagus of Ramesses II...

 An amazing mummy...why is one hand open, the other clenched?

 Jars in which a person's body organs would be placed during the mummification process...

 The Egyptians mummified animals too - cats, dogs, birds, even a crocodile...

 Mummy of an ibis...