Louvre

I spent a while yesterday trying to find out how to join the shortest queue into the Louvre.  Wasted time.  I tried to buy my tickets on line. No success.  This morning I thought I was on track to avoiding the main queue, but no, I must have been following the wrong signs. Never mind, I only waited about 20 minutes, and I was reading my book and it is significantly warmer than when I arrived in Paris.

The Louvre used to be the King's palace and became a museum during the French revolution. There are 5 floors in 3 interconnecting wings - though they donot, as I found out, connect on every level. The plan is very hard to follow because it does not have all the rooms marked, and only about half the rooms have any identifying number displayed. I walked up and down many many steps. Given that I was a bit ambivalent about going in the first place it was a bit hard to maintain my enthusiasm. I went first to the Italian masters and spent some there looking at artists I was familiar with. There were 3 interesting Caravaggios.  After wandering aimlessly in the same wing for a while I thought a coffee and/or food was needed.  I found a French looking cafeteria place , next to a crowded Starbucks. I went into the French place, and was politely told  they didnot open for 15 minutes.   I said "  But I donot want to go to an American chain in Paris." , forgetting to make any attempt to speak in French. A very British voice , 1 of the staff, replied " I agree, Madam". However, needs must, but my remaining interest was rapidly decreasing. I tried another wing but gave up after a while and went to the Islamic art. I pottered peacefully for a while looking at interesting patterns on tiles, decorated bowls, etc etc  There was some interesting writing on signs but it was too dark to conveniently read. Not that I was grumpy or anything.  I gave up because it was lunchtime.