The Ultimate Treasure Hunt


The Louvre is an amazing museum full of almost 35 000 artifacts.  Needless to say, the 13km former palace is not something that can be visited in an afternoon!

We wanted to use some type of technology to help us navigate the museum, so we decided to try out an app called Huntz (both iOS and Android).  The app is a real world gps treasure hunt and tour guide that gives clues to the user on how to find 20 different artifacts throughout the museum.

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There are different levels of difficulty and users can select either cryptic or simple  – we decided on simple multiple choice questions to start.

The first screen tells you where the treasure is located. Once you find it, you need to answer the question correctly, and if you do – you receive gold coins and scrolls with additional information about the treasure.  If you have trouble finding it, or answering the question, you can use some of your gold coins to receive extra clues and hints.


Overall, the treasure hunt was a great way to make our way through almost all rooms and levels of the museum.  We finished the hunt in less than 4 hours and found all of the different treasures.


We now plan on using this app for many future tours as we travel. It is a free app but you can then purchase different hunts around the world.  We decided to buy the whole package as we would like to use it in different countries.  For over 20 different hunts, it cost $13.99 which is great deal for so much fun!

Each of us selected one of the treasures to write about.


Zoe


The Louvre is one of the best museums I’ve been to because it had famous artifacts and paintings that I already knew about. The Mona Lisa was really exciting to see because she is so mysterious.

Mona Lisa


There were two other sculptures that had an interesting story.  At one end of the hall was Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of beauty, also known as Venus De Milo.  Her statue was made out of marble possibly by Alexandros of Antioch between 130-100 BC. It was found in a field by a farmer in 1820.

Aphrodite or Venus de Milo
Aphrodite or Venus de Milo

At the other end is Athena, the Greek goddess of wisdom and war.  Her statue was made out of a bronze effigy and possibly created by a Cretan sculptor.

Athena/Minerva - Goddess of Wisdom and War
Athena/Minerva – Goddess of Wisdom and War

The two ladies face each other in the long hallway and are always arguing.  Aphrodite is always boasting about her beauty.  Athena says she has better things to do than listen to Aphrodite boasts.  I think this story is very interesting and funny.


Mikhaila


The Louvre had many beautiful statue and paintings, but my favourite was a white statue of the Roman god Mercury riding the legendary winged horse Pegasus.  The detail was amazing, and the carving looked like it was real.

The sculpture is called “Mercury Riding Pegasus” and was carved by Antoine Coysevox out of Carrara marble.  It was started in 1701 and completed in 1702.  This statue used to be outside at the entrance to the Tuileries Gardens where it stood with its brother statue, “Fame Riding Pegasus”.  Both statues were equestrian and featured Pegasus with a rider showing symbols of King Louis the 13th’s power.  For example, the statue of Fame was playing a trumpet to signify the king’s prowess in battle.  Today only the statue of Mercury stands in the famous museum, the Louvre, in France.

I also liked this statue because it reminds me of my favourite book series “Percy Jackson”, by Rick Riordan, because the books feature gods, goddesses, and monsters from Ancient Greek and Roman mythology

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Oliver’s favourite…


One of my favourite paintings at the Louvre was the “Wedding at Cana” by Paolo Veronese.  This painting is absolutely massive, taking up an entire wall.  The painting captures Jesus at the wedding of Cana.  As the feast continues, the wine runs out and Jesus is asked by his mother to help.  Jesus asks the servants to fill huge jugs with water and to serve it to the guests.  The result is the finest wine, usually reserved for the beginning of the feast before everyone has had too much to drink.  This is the first of Jesus’ many miracles.

Wedding at Cana
Wedding at Cana

The painting was commissioned in 1562 by the Benedictine monastery in Venice, and was finished in just 15 months!  It hung in the monastery for 235 years before it was taken by Napoleon in 1797 and shipped back to Paris.  The piece is so huge that it had to be cut in half prior to shipping and then re-stitched when it arrived in Paris.

The painting has fantastic levels of detail, particularly in a painting so large.


Katina’s thoughts….


The artifact I selected was the Code of Hammurabi from around 1770 BC. It is one of the earliest writings from the Babylonians of laws to govern society. There are 282 laws written on in which cover areas such as contracts, punishments, transactions, and obligations to name a few.  The one at the Louvre has the laws carved onto diorite stele in the shape of a finger. There are copies at other museums in the Netherlands, Germany and Iran.

I selected this piece because I thought it was fascinating to see one of the foundations for our legal system today.  It’s interesting that despite our gains in “enlightenment and technology” over the years, people are still people and need rules to help guide society in order for all to get along fairly.

Code of Hammurabi
Code of Hammurabi


We had a great time at the Louvre, so much so that we decided to create our own artwork in the fountain area.  What do you think?

 


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Comments

9 responses to “The Ultimate Treasure Hunt”

  1. RAVI PULIANI Avatar
    RAVI PULIANI

    Dear all,

    My wife and I visited The Louvre in March 2013 and spent the day seeing the artefacts. Your review has brought back nostalgic memories of our short visit to Paris. But today, what I have liked the best are the ones created by Mikhaila and Zoe. I think, I should get them framed for you all to see when you visit India.

    Happy travels,

    RAVI PULIANI

    1. Hi Ravi,

      Yes we believe the works of art of Mik and Zoe should be mounted in the Louvre for all to enjoy! It was fun to create these works of art!

      Cheers!

  2. Harriet Johnston Avatar
    Harriet Johnston

    Thanks for the tour around the Louvre – that app sounds great – you might also want to try some Geo Cacheing on your travels – that is something we try to do in different places we visit and when at home – if you like solving clues. I also love that so many things are on a grand scale at the Louvre and other museums in Europe & the UK. You could spend days at the Louvre – and still have more to explore. I love your pics Zoe & Mikhaila – very artistic use of the scenery.
    Harriet

    1. Hi Harriet,

      We love geo caching too…we haven’t done it here yet because we’ve been busy with so many places to visit – but we are treasure hunters. We did some while we were in your province of Alberta. When we were in Jasper and Banff – we found some great treasures! And you are so right…we could have spent days at the Louvre…so beautiful and lots to explore…we will have to come again another time!

      Cheers!

  3. Katina, once again I have ‘seen’ things that I once saw myself, but through your eyes and the eyes of your family, they have become more interesting.
    This has added to my interest and keenness to re visit. I also notice that you are still enjoying warm weather! I woke up to minus one! Was staying ahead of winter part of the plan?

    1. HI Herta,

      The weather in Paris has been outstanding! We’ve had warm and sunny days for all of our travels. We like to think we bring the sunshine! Sorry to hear the weather is so cool in Canada…yes this was part of our plan. We do not want to experience winter this year; our goal is to chase summer all around the world!

      Cheers!

  4. Love to all,

    Very, very interesting and all so beautiful! Great Art Work. Mikhaila and Zoe! Baba

    1. Hi Mom,

      Yes – they are unique works of art indeed:)

      Cheers!

  5. The Louvre was one of our favourite places in Paris along with the Palace of Versailles. I find your use of the Huntz app to “Treasure Hunt” an interesting way to guide your visit. We spent a week in Paris, and cannot wait to go back again some time. Enjoying your posts. Thanks for sharing.