The Louvre is one of the most defining aspects of Paris. The museum sits at the center of the city, overlooking the Seine river from its right bank. Unlike many other museums, the exhibits at the Louvre are not limited to pieces of art from the medieval and Renaissance eras alone. Around 38,000 intriguing works of art and other fascinating objects are housed in this museum. Philip II built the Louvre in the 13th Century to serve as a fortress.

As the city expanded far beyond the bounds of the Louvre’s walls, it did not make sense to continue using the Louvre as a purely defensive structure. It went through multiple upgrades and extensions, and was eventually chosen as the perfect location to hold timeless sculptures and paintings. Louis XIV decided to display ancient Roman and Greek sculptures in the Louvre in 1692. As the popularity of the museum steadily grew far beyond the borders of France, it was officially opened on 10th August, 1793. The collection of art grew with the popularity of the museum, especially during Napoleon’s rule.

Once you meet your host near the Louvre Pyramid, you will be taken for a stroll outside the museum. Your host will give you a brief 30-minute introduction to the museum before accompanying you all the way to the entrance.

There are approximately 460,000 works of art to see in the Louvre. While it would take a lifetime to truly admire the profound elegance of every masterpiece inside the museum, you can certainly learn about a few of the famous exhibits like Venus de Milo and Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Experience the atmospheric illusionism and subtle artistic details of this iconic painting.

There is much to witness in this exquisite museum. This is your opportunity to skip the line and head into one of Paris’ most iconic sites.