Thank you W. W. Norton & Company for access to this arc.

Sciolino lives in Paris and knows this museum – well as much as anyone can as there are always nooks and crannies waiting to reveal unexpected wonders. As a journalist, she’s used to talking and connecting to people and getting them to open up. This is one of the joys of the book. She’s got the inside track to people of all levels who work there.

The very history of the building – begun about 800 years ago, then changed, rechanged, and rechanged some more over the centuries – leads to almost inevitably getting lost in it. Many who visit stampede straight to the big three – Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike), and Mona Lisa – and then ignore or miss the magnificent things around not only these (admittedly) great works of art but anywhere else. There are other da Vinci’s close to the Mona Lisa? Who knew?

As I said, the heart and soul of the book are the interviews Sciolino does with the staffers: the curators, directors, restorationists, night guards, architects there to help take care of the things that are in need of constant attention, and the full-time firefighters who usually take about a year to fully learn the layout. Taken around by the fire chief, she got to go into areas few get to see and up onto the roof to get a spectacular view. All of these people are so enthusiastic and delighted to tell what they know, too.

Sciolino veers into areas of controversy – how few female creators have works there, the ongoing discussions about repatriation, queer representation, the view of minorities in the art, and why doesn’t the Louvre have many artworks created post 1848. The Louvre has entered into an arrangement to loan its name and some artworks to Louvre-Abu Dhabi which has riled some people. She discusses the MNR artwork, the “orphans in the museum,” which are thought to have been looted from or taken under duress from Jews during WWII which were sent to the Louvre from Germany after the war and are now awaiting being reunited with the owners or relatives.

She also investigates frames and the fact that there’s a room dedicated to them, how the Glass Pyramid gets washed, why there are so few French Crown jewels there, and the long term planting project to bring more trees back to the Tuileries Garden. If you’re tired and can’t get close enough to the paintings you want to see, she lets us in on a secret. Go to the Flore wing where the Louvre’s engravings and drawing collection is, ignore a lot of signage telling you that you can’t enter, and then get the chance to be able to see the masterpieces there, right in front of you, which you can actually hold. Plus the people who work there appear to be ecstatic to show off the collection. Want to go through the museum by categories? You could try artwork with food or animals.

Should you arrive on a Tuesday and not realize the museum is closed, there’s still plenty of the Louvre directly outside of the Louvre. You can also get to a satellite museum – Louvre-Lens – by high speed rail. The museum can be rented out (base price 15,000 euros a night), which Beyoncé and Jay-Z did to make a video. And the Louvre has a particle accelerator which is dedicated to artistic investigations. Though it sounds as if you’d need months to wander around and see everything, Sciolino does show how to not only survive a visit there without losing your mind but makes it sound fun as she gives us a VIP tour. B

This book felt like wandering the Louvre with a passionate, knowledgeable friend. Sciolino brings the museum to life—not just the art but the hidden corners, the people who keep it running, and the fascinating history behind it all. I loved how she mixed personal anecdotes with deep research, making the whole experience feel intimate rather than overwhelming. Whether you’ve been to the Louvre or just dream of going, this book makes you see it in a whole new way.

I enjoyed this written entry to the Louvre- the art work, the history of the building, the people, all the many varied components that this book encapsulates. Having never been to the Louvre (although always having wanted to), this book was enlightening and opening. Similarly to how the Louvre Lens opened up to everyone, this book does the same.

Sciolino's previous nonfiction title, "The Only Street in Paris" is one of my all-time faves for its wonderful storytelling and travelogue qualities. This book has many of the same attributes. The Louvre is so overwhelming, but Sciolino brings her knowledge and passion for Paris and art to help you make the most of your visit. You'll want to book a trip the minute you close the book!

Published by W. W. Norton & Company and available April 1, 2025, Adventures in the Louvre is an introduction to the great French art museum, discussing its past and present and it's famous residents, like the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. I absolutely LOVED this book, as a historian and an art buff (who, alas, has never been to the Louvre, except via Nintendo 3DS Guide: Louvre). It probably took me twice as long to read this book because I kept stopping to read parts out loud to whoever was around me-- my favorite thing I learned is that people write letters to the Mona Lisa, as if she's a living person. Can you truly say you love a piece of art if you're not willing to write it letters? My one issue with Adventures is that it could use more images-- there are only a couple per chapter and they're in black and white (which may be since I was reading an ARC), meaning to fully understand what's being described, you have to look pieces up yourself, but other than that this is an incredible exploration of one of the gems of art history.

I've never been to the Louvre or even France before, and sometimes have wondered if it's worth the hype and romanticism. So I was interested in this book, which attempted an impressive survey look at one of the most overwhelming and massive museum collections in the world with lots of storied, complicated history.

This was a very journalistic style of nonfiction, not the narrative style I am used to so it took me some time to get through and stay involved. It felt more straightforward Rick Steves than sexy Anthony Bourdain, sometimes getting bogged down in lists of facts and statistics. But I admire this very detailed and impressive feat of reportage. It must have taken a year at least to document everything in this immersive reporting style.

What I liked best about this book was how many people the author interviewed, from window washers and taxi drivers to museum directors. She went beyond the publicity team of the Louvre, which I had feared, to show the many faces of the famous museum. This is a book meant for art history and museum geeks. Since it was more of a survey and a travel guide, it didn't overly criticize the museum for some of its more complicated past like cultural thefts, but nor did it flinch away from those issues, either. It was very well rounded and like the Louvre itself perhaps tried to cover too much.

But how does one even start with a museum as vast as the Louvre.

However, I felt myself conversing with the art and cultural history of the Lourve in a way that was both informative and left me with a feeling of awe. I have no idea if I'll ever be in a position to visit the Louvre in my lifetime, but this book made me feel like I had VIP privileges. One day I want to go there. This book made me feel less intimidated about trying to see the whole thing and made me feel like I could enjoy it for what I could see. It made me put this on my must-see list if I'm ever in France.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

was a pretty enjoyable read, but not quite what I expected. I loved the idea of exploring the museum through stories and personal experiences, but sometimes it felt more like a history lesson than an adventure. There were definitely some charming and insightful moments, but I wish it had a bit more warmth and flow. Still, if you’re a fan of art and museums, it’s worth a look!

Whether you've visited the Louvre or, like me, haven't, you're sure to find something to interest you here. It's full of fascinating back stories, detailed photos, history, and the author's own observations from her own countless times there. I read this one in bits and pieces over the course of some days, allowing myself time to take it all in. While not even remotely knowledgeable of the artwork's vital components, I found the history of the pieces intriguing. Needless to say, loved the idea of pulling in museum touring children with the idea of spying the various animals or whatever scattered about in the pieces. Seriously, lots to take in here, from Napoleon Bonaparte being so entranced with the Mona Lisa that he kept her (and everyone seems to refer to that painting almost as if it is a living being, a "her") in his bedroom for some four years, to the collection of royal jewels and sadness that surrounds the collection of artwork protected and cared for by the museum but not truly belonging to it as it is largely made up of artwork stolen from its Jewish owners by various high ranking officers and personnel of the Germans during World War II. You'll get to know the various artists and sculptors involved, too.

In other words, there is a huge amount of information to take in here. I applaud the author for making it all seem so effortless to read and comprehend, even for someone like me who honestly wasn't familiar with all the names. Touring the Louvre itself sounds like an adventure and it is easy to get lost. While the Mona Lisa is the star attraction, there are other galleries and amazing pieces of artwork to see. Astonishing to think it began as a fortress in 1190, Even more amazing to realize that with all the marvels to see, much still remains behind closed doors, even in draws. I certainly won't detail everything for you but will assure you that if you have any interest in art, history, or simply how human tastes have both remained consistent and changed over the years, not to mention simply love looking at detailed photos of pieces of art, you'll find something here to like.

By serendipity, ran across a news article just a few days ago about the growing possibility that the museum's star attraction, the Mona Lisa, may finally be getting its own room/gallery. Looking back in my notes, yep, I noted the author's comment about that topic being discussed. The painting may be only 30" x 30" but weighs in at some 500 pounds with all its security apparatus in place. That's discussed, btw, so no need to elaborate. I mean, 80% of first-time visitors cite seeing the Mona Lisa as their reason for being there and it has been attacked and even damaged slightly in the past, so its obviously needed. A move would certainly cut down on the bottle-neck of sorts that is created as groups pass, pause, take selfies, and such in a constant stream. I mean, it isn't even the only piece of work in the gallery room but lead many to overlook the rest. In any case, I'll be paying far more attention now to see what comes of this still in process plan to give "her" her own room, so to speak. I now understand the story behind the idea, so to speak.

Serious, I can't even begin to share all I've learned. The author writes in an easy-to-read fashion and you can almost hear her own awe, humor, and curiosity coming through as you read. Far from the dry text I feared, I enjoyed every moment of my virtual tour and thank #WWNorton&Company for allowing me this early virtual visit. I've been talking, well, messaging with some friends who have visited and expect to badger, er, ask them for more input now that I've finished. Consider this your warning, friends. Grin.

this was such a good book— i was really entertained! the prose was humorous and informative at the same time. i couldn’t put it down!

Adventures in the Louvre is an absolute delight and I had the best time reading it with my computer handy so I could look up all the artists and works mentioned. Having been lost in the Louvre myself, I loved the approachable manner with with author Elaine Sciolino steers the reader to rethink how to interact and experience the museum. With kids? No problem, have them search for animals in the works. Show up on a Tuesday? No problem, Sciolino offers tips on viewing artwork on the grounds, in a nearby metro station and a recommendation of a diversion to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France. This book makes me want to plan a trip to Paris (and Lens) to find all of the secrets unlocked within the pages.