The Louvre recently shut down due to staff being overwhelmed with guests, part of a larger trend in Europe. But it’s still possible to see good art without the crowds.
Tourists are currently overwhelming parts of Europe, including Paris, where the Louvre briefly closed early this month when staff could not handle the number of visitors coming through.
Overtourism is affecting many areas, but the Louvre in particular has felt its effects. Last year, the museum had 8.7 million visitors, which is more than twice what it was built to accommodate.
French President Emmanuel Macron recently unveiled a plan to help reduce the strain on the building. The eventual renovation would give the Mona Lisa her own room and add another entrance, among other improvements.
But until that 10-year plan is complete, visitors will likely have to deal with overcrowding at the Louvre and at other popular art museums across Europe.
It is possible to still see great art, though. You just need to consider the timing of your trip and perhaps broaden your horizons, says Diana Arcadipone, a visual artist, arts administrator and lecturer at Northeastern University.
“As a spectator, I have made the decision not to go to a museum because it’s too crowded or the viewing experience isn’t relaxing,” she says. “There are many smaller museums throughout Europe and America that you can go to and have an amazing viewing experience.”
If you are set on going to a noted museum like the Louvre or the Vatican Museum, Arcadipone recommends seeking out a private guide who might be able to help you dodge the lines and get through different galleries to avoid the crowds.
These local guides may also offer walking tours of other artistic sites around the city. Arcadipone said Airbnb sometimes allows visitors to book these local artistic experiences with their accommodations.
Planning your trip during the offseason will also make things easier. Consider a late fall or winter trip if you really want to avoid crowds, Arcadipone says.
But if you’re OK skipping the crowds altogether, try going off the beaten path. Arcadipone says to do research before your trip if you have your heart set on seeing a certain style of painting or artist. You may find their works on display in smaller museums or other cultural institutions.
“You can see Giotto paintings outside of Florence … in different places in Italy,” she says. “It’s just a matter of research and personal preference.”
This might require traveling to smaller towns that have lesser-known museums or churches that are full of frescoes and artworks. Universities and other historical monuments might have their own museums and galleries with art on display as well.
If you would like to see the work of a particular classical artist but prefer to skip the international trip, there are plenty of museums in the U.S. that feature rotating exhibitions. Many of these displays showcase renowned artists for a limited time. Just avoid visiting on opening day or within the first few weeks, Arcadipone advises, as that’s typically when the crowds are heaviest.
If your goal isn’t to seek out a specific artist, but to just see some art while traveling abroad, Arcadipone suggests checking out local galleries.
“I think people are afraid to go to galleries because they feel pressure to purchase artwork, and galleries can be very intimidating. And so people feel uncomfortable if they aren’t in that market. (It’s worth) demystifying that a little bit if people want to see art and particularly contemporary art. Galleries want people to come in and just get over that intimidation factor,” Arcadipone says.
For an even closer look at art, there’s also the possibility of visiting an artist’s studio. Arcadipone says most cities have open studio days where people can go around to where artists are working and meet with them as a chance to really immerse themselves in the art.
“You can just wander around and go into artist studios and galleries in the arts district of any given city,” she said. “Research where the arts district is, which is where artists live and work and show their work.”