Paris is one of the cultural centers of Europe and consequently, it has a number of world-class museums. Louvre Museum, the biggest museum in the world tops the list undoubtedly. The Louvre Palace holds close to half a million works of art today from all around the world, and therefore, attracts visitors and art aficionados from almost every corner of the planet. It is usually mayhem that ensues every day before the museum opens. This is why you need to know about all the entrances of the Louvre Museum before you head there. There are 4 Louvre Entrances that not too many people are aware of, so here's all you need to know about them and which entrance you should consider for a speedy entry.
Louvre Entrances - All 4 Entrances To Louvre Explained
I.M. Pei Pyramid
This is the main entrance of the Louvre Museum. It is located at the base of the famous pyramid. This entrance two separate lines. The one for people with tickets is shorter and lets you access the museum soon after the security. The one for people without tickets is long and will need you to go get the tickets after the security check.
Entrance Timings
July to September 2020, this entrance is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesdays on which Louvre remains closed
Average Wait Time
Up to 10 minutes (with tickets), Over 1 hour (without tickets)
Getting to I.M. Pei Pyramid Entrance
Get down at Palais Royal Musée du Louvre Metro station and walk to the entrance on Place du Carrousel. You can also take buses 21, 69, 72, N11, or N24 to get down at Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre bus stop and walk to the entrance.
Carrousel du Louvre
Image Courtesy : Flickr | Rog01
This entrance is often referred to as “the mall entrance to the Louvre”. This entrance is the easiest to access from the outside. This is why there is generally a crowd at Carrousel du Louvre entrance. If you are going without a ticket, be prepared to endure a long security queue, after which you can go and get your tickets. The catch with this entrance is that not always will you be granted entry through here if you aren’t coming in groups. Ask before you line up.
Entrance Timings
July to September 2020, this entrance is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesdays on which Louvre remains closed
Average Wait Time
Up to 30 minutes
Getting to Carrousel du Louvre Entrance
You can access this entrance directly from the Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre Metro Line 1 and 7. You can also enter from 99 Rue de Rivoli after getting down at Palais Royal-Musee du Louvre bus stop and take two sets of escalators underground.
UPDATE: As of 2020, this entrance is temporarily closed. Only the Pyramid Access is functional for entry/exit.
Passage Richelieu ( Porte de Richelieu )
If you happen to be going in a group or have an annual membership at the museum, this is your fast access entrance. It is located on the Rue de Rivoli that runs parallel to the Seine on the other side of the Louvres. This entrance is located close to the sculpture garden is definitely worth checking out. If you are going to try your luck at this entrance, make sure you book your tickets in advance.
Entrance Timings
July to September 2020, this entrance is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesdays on which Louvre remains closed
Average Wait Time
Up to 10 minutes
Getting to Portes de Lions Entrance
Get down at Palais Royal Musée du Louvre Metro station and walk to the entrance on Rue de Rivoli. You can also take buses 21, 69, 72, N11, or N24 to get down at Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre bus stop and walk to the entrance.
Portes de Lions
This entrance is also located in the internal part of the Louvres. Portes de Lions entrance attracts an average amount of crowd. It is close to the Louvre Pyramid, so if you want to photograph this phenomenal structure without having to endure the crowd of the main entrance, this is your best bet. Once you are inside the Louvre complex, you may find out whether the entrance is open and then opt for it.
Entrance Timings
July to September 2020, this entrance is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except Tuesdays on which Louvre remains closed
Average Wait Time
Over 30 minutes (with tickets only)
Getting to Portes de Lions Entrance
Get down at Palais Royal Musée du Louvre Metro station and walk to the entrance on Place du Carrousel. You can also take buses 21, 69, 72, N11, or N24 to get down at Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre bus stop and walk to the entrance.
UPDATE: As of 2019, this entrance is closed temporarily. Porte de Richelieu can be used for single and group tickets.
Louvre Entrances Map
Here's a map to help you understand the locations of each of the Louvre entrances.
FAQs
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Top Louvre Museum Deals & Offers
Looking to buy Louvre tickets? Here are the top recommended tickets & tours for a seamless visit to the world's largest museum.
Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum
- Irrespective of the seasons, the best day to visit the museum is Thursday. This day sees the least crowd. Avoid weekends.
- The crowds at Louvre Museum tend to clear out towards closing time and you could try to exploit this by buying a closing time entry ticket.
- Purchase Skip The Line tickets for the Louvre Museum and do not miss your time slot. This way, you will have only a few minutes of waiting time.
- If you have purchased a ticket already and plan to use the I.M. Pei Pyramid entrance, make sure you are in the orange line which is for ticket holders.
- Porte de Richelieu is the closest Louvre entrance for Headout Ticket holders ( Louis the XIV's Equestrian Statue, located in front of the glass pyramid at the Louvre)
- Going to the Louvre at night gives you more time to explore other museums and attractions during the day, optimizing your time in Paris. Check out Louvre After Hour Tickets
- Know the museum and target the important area in the museum first. Do not miss the ceiling and the King’s Crown in the Apollo Gallery.
- If you're interested in visiting the best museums in Paris, buying the Paris Museum Pass is highly recommended. Read all about planning your itinerary with the Paris Museum Pass here.
- Admission is free and closing is extended to 9:45 PM on the first Saturday of every month. However, this day also happens to be the most crowded day of the month.
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