The Louvre Palace, or simply, the Louvre is an iconic Parisian landmark, one frequented by almost 10 million visitors a year. Housed in part of a large palace in Paris, and tucked between the Tuileries Gardens and the church of Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois, the Louvre from the outside is a vision in itself. The iconic Louvre Pyramid in the main courtyard is another easily recognizable highlight, one that demands to be photographed when at the Louvre.
But a visit inside the Louvre Museum is a must. It is an attraction shrouded in history and mystery, and, of course, as you peruse past the perfectly-chiseled Venus de Milo or the exquisite painting of Mona Lisa, you might just fall in love a little bit. Dare to give it a try? Take a walk with us inside the Louvre Paris for a peek at what you’ll find!
Why You Must Go Inside the Louvre
Visit one of the world’s largest museums: With over 15,000 visitors a day, the Louvre is super popular. It is believed that you could spend 2/3rds of a year exploring the entirety of the Louvre: every one of the 550,000 works on display.
The Louvre is housed inside a palace: Ever heard of the Louvre Palace? Originally built as a fortress, it became the place to display the royal collection before it officially became a museum during the French Revolution. Why wouldn’t you want to take a stroll through a palace?
An endless sea of time periods: The number of time periods you’ll find in this one museum is mind-boggling: from the Egyptians to the Greeks to the Romans- you’ll see it all.
Home to world-renowned highlights: Be it the Venus de Milo- one of the world’s most famous greek sculptures, or Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the world’s most famous painting, rest assured you’ll be face-to-face with iconic artworks of our age.
Well-preserved, heavily-adorned interiors: Each artwork is placed perfectly and maintained in tip-top shape. A walk through the Louvre is exciting in itself: from the marvellous ceiling paintings to glorious sculptures, the Louvre falls nothing short of palatial!
Don't miss out on the world-famous art pieces like the Mona Lisa.
Take your time to admire the hundreds of thousands of art pieces.
Don't forget to take a picture by the iconic Louvre Pyramid!
Pick Up Louvre Paris Tickets
There are many different types of Louvre tickets available for purchase online. Here are our personal recommendations:
Skip The Line
Guided Tours
Combo Guided Tours
Choosing The Right Louvre Entrance
The Louvre has 4 entrances: the Pyramid, Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, Carrousel du Louvre, and Porte de Richelieu. The main entrance to the museum is the Pyramid- and it is usually swarming with tourist crowds. The best way to enter the Louvre Museum is to enter using any of the other three entrances.
That said, don’t leave the Louvre without visiting the Pyramid. The best route involves entering using any of the other 3 entrances and exiting through the Pyramid. This way, you can avoid the crowds while taking pictures of the Pyramid: a win-win situation for all.
Certain artworks at the Louvre have survived the test of time and play a huge role in art history. Their influence runs across cultures and borders, are revered by experts, and admired by all. Take the Louvre Masterpieces route if you wish to explore the world's most iconic paintings, sculptures, art objects, and architectural elements.
Take a stroll through the ancient artworks from the royal collections. Originally a ballroom designed by architect Pierre Lescot in a striking classical style, the Salle des Cariatides is a great place to start your tour.
Exit the Salon Carre through the wooden doors and find yourself in the Grande Galerie. The key attraction is the corridor-like gallery that runs alongside the Siene.
Take the first right into the room where the greatest attraction of the Louvre is housed: the portrait of Lisa Gherardini, otherwise known as the Mona Lisa.
Head into the next room and head into the long gallery on your left. Continue down the wall until you find the Raft of the Medusa, originally named 'Shipwreck Scene'.
Take the large staircase downstairs to level 0, and walk up to the 2 large male statues located in the center of the room. Gaze up at two of Michelangelo's stunning sculptures.
Take the large staircase downstairs to level 0, and walk up to the 2 large male statues located in the center of the room. Gaze up at two of Michelangelo's stunning sculptures.
Take the spiral staircase on your left and continue straight to the pyramid: the Louvre's most photographed highlight (right after the Mona Lisa). Admire this transparent controversy to your heart's desire before taking a break.
The Carters took things to the next level in their 2018 'APES**T' music video by shooting it at the Louvre Palace (talk about royalty!) Take this trail to see all the Louvre highlights featured in the music video, including the Egyptian Sphinx, Greek gods & goddesses, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and then some.
Enter the Denon Wing and take the spiral staircase- opposite the Pyramid, turn right and walk into the gallery. A large staircase will reveal the the statue of a winged female figure: The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Walk between the columns next, past the glass door, and into the Grande Galerie. After the first window on your left, you'll find the Virgin of the Green Cushion.
Leave the room and walk into the room on your left: the large gallery with red walls. On the left wall, a little ways down reveals the Raft of the Medusa.
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The Shades of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta
In the same room, on the right (at the top of the wall), you'll find The Shades of Francesca da Rimini and Paolo Malatesta Appear to Dante and Virgil: find out about this tale of 2 legendary lovers and their powerful, immortal love story.
Exit using the same way you got in, and enter the next room: the one after the gift shop. On your left, you'll be greeted by The Consecration of the Emperor Napolean.
Right opposite The Coronation of Napoleon lies the Portrait of Juliette Récamier- a 23-year-old influential figure who commissioned this portrait from Jacques-Louis David.
On the same wall to your left, you'll find The Oath of Horatii- by Jacques Louis David, an experienced painter who invited a new style, inching him forward in the neoclassical movement.
Look right opposite the Oath of Horatii to find yet another classic by Jacques Louis David: the Intervention of Sabine Women. This masterpiece was created 15 years after Horatii.
Leave the room and find the Winged Victory of Samothrace ahead of you. Walk up the staircase and take a left at the statue. On your right, go into the rotunda and into the Galerie d’Apollon. Gaze up at the ceiling and prepare to be amazed.
Go back to the Winged Victory of Samothrace and down the stairs. At the bottom of the staircase, turn right and continue down the stairs. Go through the rotunda (room 408) and into the next room, 347. As you enter the red marble walled-room, check out the famous Venus de Milo.
Take the stairs to the left of the Sphinx, past the department of Egyptian Antiquites, up the spiral staircase, into rooms 931-935. Gasp at the work of one Marie-Guillemine Benoist, a former pupil of Jacques-Louis David.
The Louvre showcases one of the world's largest ancient art collections of Egyptian art. If you've always wondered about Pharaohs and the intriguing lives they lived, this is your best chance to explore further. Find sarcophagi, furniture, games, and jewelry from ancient Egypt along this historical route.
Enter the Sully Wing and go between the two staircases. Head into Medieval Louvre on your left until you see the Great Sphinx- a highlight made of pink granite- easily recognizable at the entrance of Egyptian Antiquities.
Walk up the stairs on your left and go into the first room- 336. You'll find a long case stocked with small boat models. Learn about the role boats played in everyday life in Egypt.
On the right of the display case, opposite the windows, you'll find a door- take it and find paintings from the tombs of Wensu. Find here, the importance of farming in ancient Egypt.
Exit the room and enter the room on your left. Check out the display case with the cross-legged scribe. Find out what their roles back in the day entailed, including preparing papyrus scrolls.
Go into the next room, take a right, and enter the room with furniture. Notice Chair, built in 1550-1186 BC, a piece of furniture invented by the Egyptians 3000 years ago.
Leave the room and walk into the next. Notice the display case filled with jewellery and accessories. Notice the necklace decorated with fish and gold, representing a rich woman's accessories in ancient Egypt.
Go into the next room and explore the display case of musical instruments. To your right, you'll find a window with board games. Make sure you check out the hippo-shaped playing board with 58 holes.
As you exit the room, you'll find the Sphinx in the middle. Walk through the narrow corridor of sphinxes. Take a right and enter a large room where you'll find Yuyu: the high priest of Osiris. This statue of him presenting a chapel will definitely catch your attention.
Take the staircase downstairs to the Crypt of Osiris. Walk straight past the central sarcophagus. Walk upstairs and stop at the tub-like sarcophagus of Abu Roash. Learn about the Egyptian tradition of preserving life after death.
Walk along the line of sarcophagi, and find the mummy covered in ‘cartonnage’. The mummified body is surprisingly intact, even on its journey to "the land of the dead".
An eerie touch to your visit to the Louvre awaits next to the display case of mummies. Find jars with heads of animals on their lids- try to keep your lids on!
Make your way back to the white stone sarcophagus anenter the next room. In front of the great staircase, find the display case on the right. Here, you'll find ancient Egyptian gods and goddesses.
Go up the grand staircase, past the columns, and through the left door. Get to room 635 and find the seated scribe- the most famous Egyptian at the Louvre!
Additional Louvre Highlights
Here are some other rooms you don't want to miss!
Room 705 – Denon Wing, First Floor - Apollo Gallery – This is the Louvre's best hall as it houses the precious Crown Jewels. The hall further contains paintings, tapestries, statues, frescoes, gilded embellishments, and a high-vaulted ceiling.
Room 133 – Sully Wing, Minus One Floor – The Pavilion de l’Horloge – It's time to head underground to the stone moat that served as the foundation for the ancient fortress. You'll find out the history of the Louvre: how it turned from a fortress to a medieval castle to a royal palace, and finally, the world-famous museum it is today.
Room 324 – Sully Wing, Ground Floor – The Temple – Find the colossal statue of the Ramses II here, which stands tall at 3 meters high. While you're at it, stroll through rooms 317 to 338 for a venture through Ancient Egypt.
Want to find out more about the must-see attractions at the Louvre? Explore our list of the must-sees at the Louvre Museum here.
Wednesday - Monday: 9 AM - 6 PM
The Louvre Museum is closed on Tuesdays and the following holidays: January 1, May 1, December 25.
Getting There
The Louvre Museum is situated in Paris’ 1st Arrondissement, on the right bank of the Seine. You have the following public transport options available to get to the museum:
Metro - The closest metro station to the museum, and the one where our ticket redemption center is located is the Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre station on Line 1. Bus - 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95
Louvre: Insider Tips
Ages 17 and under, residents of the EU aged between 18 & 25, visitors with disabilities (and the person accompanying them), teachers of art & art history- all enjoy free admission into the Louvre!
The Louvre is always crowded, so you'll never have the museum all to yourself. However, early mornings, late evenings, or the lunch hours are your best shot to avoid massive crowds.
It is always advisable to buy your tickets is advance. If you wish to further curb your waiting time, buy skip-the-line tickets.
Use the Passage Richelieu and Galerie du Carrousel entrances to enter the museum, as these are less crowded than the main Pyramid entrance.
Keep in mind that the Louvre is massive: there is a lot of walking involved so make sure you wear comfortable footwear. Walking sticks and foldable chairs are available to borrow for free from the Museum Centre.
Best Safety
Louvre Museum: Skip the Line Tickets
from
€17
Best Safety
Louvre Museum : Best of Louvre & Mona Lisa Guided ...
from
€54
Free Cancellation
Skip The Line Louvre Tickets with Audioguide
from
€43
Best Safety
Louvre Museum : Masterpieces & Royal Palace Guided...
Fancy heading out to some other must-visit Paris attractions? Take inspiration from our list of the best things to do in Paris here. Use our comprehensive Paris Travel Guide to explore the rest of Paris in a hassle-free fashion with all the need-to-know information in hand.
FAQs
Can I book Louvre Museum tickets online now?
Yes. It is recommended that you buy your Louvre Museum tickets online. You can book your Louvre tickets online here.
What is Louvre Museum best known for?
One of the world's largest art museums, the Louvre Museum is best known for housing the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa.
What are the safety and hygiene measures in place at the Louvre Museum?
Several measures have been put in place at the Louvre Museum in light of COVID-19. Entry is limited to those with online tickets, the use of masks that cover the nose and face at all times is mandate and visitor's temperature will be checked by thermal scanners before entry. Guided tours now permit only groups of 10.
What are the opening hours for Louvre Museums?
Louvre opening hours post-COVID-19 are: Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM (last entry at 5:30 PM). The museum remains closed on Tuesdays.
Do my Louvre Museum tickets and tours include skip-the-line access?
Yes, both your Louvre tickets and guided tours include skip-the-line-access. With this, you get fast-track access to the museum without having to wait in long lines.
Is Mona Lisa in Louvre the real deal?
Yes, you'll find the original Leonardo Da Vinci's Mona Lisa in Louvre, Paris.
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