For many travelers, a trip to Paris must include allocating a significant amount of time for viewing art. Once the research begins it becomes evident that it could possibly take a lifetime to see it all.

For instance, one could not expect to "do the Louvre" in a day, or even two. When I visit the Musee du Louvre, I choose a time when it might possibly be a bit less crowded than usual, and I go with a purpose. It might be a grey and chilly early Spring day and I might be in the mood for sculpture. In that case I would head straight for the Galerie Daru and it's stunning, sensuous pieces of Roman sculpture from the Borghese collection. The marble Borghese Vase (c.40-30 B.C.) is a massive vessel that I encircle three or four times before moving on.

However, one glance at a guidebook for the Louvre, will confirm the fact that this is an astonishingly vast collection. From Oriental Antiquities and Islamic Art, to the Mona Lisa and beyond, the whole notion of a visit becomes complex, problematic, overwhelming.

What if you had access to a bi-lingual art historian by the name of Ellen McBreen and her team of museum guides, who could provide a satisfying, edifying, and inspriational experience at one of the great museums of Paris? You might be inclined to book one of her Louvre "Big Picture Tours". Then if you want to get off the beaten museum track, sign up for a tour of a special collection such as the Musee Cognacq-Jay. This is one of my favorite museums in Paris. Read my Paris-Insider article (under the Museum category) called, " Musee Cognacq-Jay: Small Museums With Huge Appeal". By the way, it is pronounced, mew-zay cone-yak zhay.

Visits to museums should not be painful. They should be joyful.

Paris Muse has figured out how to provide clients with the kind of museum experience that is very meaningful.

www.parismuse.com