Louvre-Lens Museum — Attraction in Lens

Hidden away in this depressing town is Louvre Lens. Though the building is impressive outside and in, I couldn't warm to it. There are objects d'art through the ages but few grabbed my attention. There must be so much more hidden away. The original Louvre must have acres of more impressive items. Maybe you need to be French to be impressed? Some paintings were lovely but all were old, there was no modern art to make the brain work. A most beautiful jewelled table caught my attention but despite having what appeared to be gorgeous miniature paintings on top, at 5'2" I could barely see them. Placing it on a lower platform or with a mirror above would have made the viewing greatly satisfying rather than frustrating. Most visitors were aged from 3 years to 10, school groups must provide the largest demographic, how on earth could they even guess at the top of that table? We had planned to visit the Turkish exhibition but guests at our hotel over breakfast gave low mixed reviews and time was not on our side so we didn't go in. The museum is free for the main displays, we had quite a nice cup of tea, polite staff, and the shop made our wallets open which I always see as a way of supporting museums/culture when I buy overpriced tea cloths or in this case soaps, spectacle case and Turkish designed covered drawing book. I really wanted the silk coalmine (my father drove a Welsh lift winder) shawl, but that was too rich for my purse at €255 (I think) shame, I would have gone to €55 for a silk scarf with the design. Glad we visited but didn't make my heart sing as art...

The Louvre-Lens is on the list of the choice destinations in 2013.

I live in Houston, but took the opportunity of this detour during a trip to Europe. The location is interesting, the exhibits are of quality, but this place is mismanaged.

1/ There is no possibility to provide feedback so that this startup operation can improve.

2/ Security is weak. My husband just went through without being checked. The security staff seemed disorganized and confused.

3/ The staff are insolent. My son, a French resident had a baby stroller for our granddaughter. He was told: "Can't you read page 4 of the rules. It is clear that you cannot get a stroller in this place." Who wants to read a complete book of rules? My son still went through and nobody argued about his stroller. See item 2.

4/ There is no indication on queuing. The whole setup is rather messy.

5/ The cafeteria has not enough space.

6/ There is no special rates for seniors. Is this a conspiration to get us fast to our graves?

7/ There is too little information in English.

8/ There were a few mistakes about the naming of some artwork. This was reported to the staff. Hopefully, this will be corrected.

9/ Directions to Lille are extremely poor.

By contrast, we were VERY impressed by La...

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Louvre in Lens, and I want to take a moment to highlight an exceptional employee who truly made my experience unforgettable. This kind gentleman, originally from Hong Kong, went above and beyond to assist me during my visit.

From the moment I approached him with questions about the exhibits, his warm smile and genuine enthusiasm were evident. He took the time to share fascinating insights about the artworks and the history behind them, making me feel genuinely engaged and valued as a visitor. His extensive knowledge and passion for the museum were contagious, and it was clear that he takes great pride in his work.

What truly stood out was his kindness and willingness to help. Whether it was providing directions, recommending must-see pieces, or simply sharing a friendly conversation, he made my visit feel personal and special. It’s rare to encounter someone so dedicated and approachable in a busy environment like a museum.

Thank you for making my experience at the Louvre in Lens so memorable! Your kindness and expertise are truly appreciated, and I hope others get the chance to benefit from your...