By Karin Beuerlein

The Louvre in Paris, France. Photo: Eric Pouhier

1. The Louvre — Paris, France
www.louvre.fr

The Louvre is the granddaddy of all world art museums: arguably the greatest and most famous, and certainly among the largest. One of its many strengths is its unparalleled collection of French paintings from the 13th to the 19th centuries.

Be kind to yourself: Allow yourself more than one day in the Louvre. It's simply too vast to appreciate in a hurry. Also, if this is your first time, avail yourself of an audio or book guide to help you navigate.

Expect lots of people and lines of varying length. Admission is free on Friday nights for those under 26, a deal that tends to attract lots of young visitors, so decide on whether you prefer company with your masterpieces. The rest of the world can get in free on the first Sunday of the month and on July 14, Bastille Day.

Because the Louvre was a primary setting for The Da Vinci Code, several companies offer tours tied to Dan Brown's bestselling novel. The Louvre itself offers a Da Vinci Code audio guide. Considering the museum has enjoyed sizzling-hot tourism since the book's release in 2003, and the film version came out in 2006, it may be a while before the hoopla dies down.

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