Louvre, Paris
Paris, France
| Sunday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| MondayToday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Thursday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
| Friday | 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM |
| Saturday | 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM |
Last entry 1 hour before closing. Rooms begin clearing 30 minutes before closing. Late nights on Wednesday and Friday until 9pm.
Upcoming Closures
- Dec 25Christmas Day
- Adults€22
- StudentsFree
- Children (under 18)Free
Free for under 18s and EU residents under 26. Online tickets cost up to 32 EUR with time slot. Free first Friday of month after 6pm (except July/August).
Free admission: First Friday of month after 6pm (18:00-21:00)
Featured Artists
15 artists in database
Best Days
Wednesday, Friday
Busiest Days
Saturday, Sunday
Best Times
09:00-10:00 or 18:00-21:00
Busiest Times
11:00-15:00
Summer months are extremely crowded. Wednesday and Friday evenings are less busy. Arrive at opening or during late-night hours for the best experience.
Average visit: 3-4 hours
Recommended: Half day minimum, full day for thorough visit
- 1Enter via Porte des Lions or Carrousel du Louvre for shorter queues
- 2The Mona Lisa is always crowded. Visit first thing or during evening hours
- 3Download the museum app for navigation. The Louvre is massive and easy to get lost in
- 4Wednesday and Friday evenings until 9pm are the least crowded times
- 5Book online tickets with a time slot to skip the security line
- 6The Cour Napoleon is accessible from 7:30am for photos of the pyramid
- 7Audio guide costs 6 EUR and is highly recommended
Location
Rue de RivoliParis 75001
FranceGet Directions
Parking: Underground parking at Carrousel du Louvre
Open· Closes at 6:00 PM35,000 Works on Display€22 Entry
The Louvre Museum isn't just the world's largest art museum. It's a palace that spent 800 years accumulating treasures before opening its doors to the public. From Egyptian antiquities to Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, from ancient Greek sculpture to French crown jewels, the collection spans 9,000 years of human civilization.
The building itself tells a story. What began as a medieval fortress became a royal palace, then a revolutionary museum in 1793. Jacques-Louis David hung his massive Coronation of Napoleon here. I.M. Pei's glass pyramid, controversial when unveiled in 1989, now defines the museum's identity. With 35,000 works on display across 72,735 square meters, you could spend weeks and still miss masterpieces.
Why Visit The Louvre
- Home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace
- The world's largest art museum with 35,000 works on display
Planning Your Visit to The Louvre
The Louvre houses some of the world's most iconic artworks. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci is the most visited, located in the Salle des États (Room 711).
Other must-see paintings include Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David, The Wedding at Cana by Veronese (the largest painting in the Louvre), and The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault.
Don't miss the Italian Renaissance collection with works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian.
Other must-see paintings include Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David, The Wedding at Cana by Veronese (the largest painting in the Louvre), and The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault.
Don't miss the Italian Renaissance collection with works by Raphael, Caravaggio, and Titian.
The Louvre began as a medieval fortress built by King Philip II in 1190 to protect Paris. It was transformed into a royal palace in the 16th century under Francis I, who began the art collection.
The palace was abandoned when Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682. During the French Revolution in 1793, the Louvre opened as a public museum with 537 paintings.
Napoleon significantly expanded the collection through conquests. The iconic glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei, was added in 1989. Today it holds over 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works across 72,735 square meters.
The palace was abandoned when Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682. During the French Revolution in 1793, the Louvre opened as a public museum with 537 paintings.
Napoleon significantly expanded the collection through conquests. The iconic glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei, was added in 1989. Today it holds over 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works across 72,735 square meters.
The Mona Lisa attracts millions of visitors yearly, making it challenging to view without crowds. Your best strategies: Arrive at 9am sharp when doors open and head straight to Room 711.
Alternatively, visit during Wednesday or Friday evening hours (6pm-9pm) when crowds thin significantly. Avoid weekends and summer months entirely. Enter through the less-crowded Porte des Lions entrance to save time.
Consider visiting in January, February, or November when tourist numbers drop. The painting is behind bulletproof glass about 6 meters from the viewing area, so manage expectations about getting close.
Alternatively, visit during Wednesday or Friday evening hours (6pm-9pm) when crowds thin significantly. Avoid weekends and summer months entirely. Enter through the less-crowded Porte des Lions entrance to save time.
Consider visiting in January, February, or November when tourist numbers drop. The painting is behind bulletproof glass about 6 meters from the viewing area, so manage expectations about getting close.
Beyond paintings, the Louvre has world-class sculpture. The Winged Victory of Samothrace (Nike of Samothrace) commands the Daru Staircase, a 2nd-century BC Hellenistic masterpiece.
The Venus de Milo in Room 346 is an ancient Greek sculpture from around 100 BC, famous for her missing arms. The Dying Slave and Rebellious Slave by Michelangelo showcase Renaissance genius.
The Egyptian collection features the Great Sphinx of Tanis, and the Near Eastern collection includes the Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest written laws.
The Venus de Milo in Room 346 is an ancient Greek sculpture from around 100 BC, famous for her missing arms. The Dying Slave and Rebellious Slave by Michelangelo showcase Renaissance genius.
The Egyptian collection features the Great Sphinx of Tanis, and the Near Eastern collection includes the Code of Hammurabi, one of the oldest written laws.
You cannot see the entire Louvre in one visit. With 35,000 artworks on display across 15 acres, spending just 30 seconds at each piece would take over 100 days.
For first-time visitors, plan 3-4 hours to see highlights like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. Art enthusiasts should allocate a full day (6-8 hours) to explore one or two departments thoroughly.
Many visitors return multiple times, focusing on different collections: Egyptian antiquities, Italian paintings, French sculptures, or Islamic art. The museum offers themed trails if you have limited time.
For first-time visitors, plan 3-4 hours to see highlights like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory. Art enthusiasts should allocate a full day (6-8 hours) to explore one or two departments thoroughly.
Many visitors return multiple times, focusing on different collections: Egyptian antiquities, Italian paintings, French sculptures, or Islamic art. The museum offers themed trails if you have limited time.
The Louvre is open 9am to 6pm Sunday, Monday, Thursday, and Saturday. Extended hours until 9pm on Wednesday and Friday.
Closed every Tuesday, plus January 1, May 1, and December 25. Last admission is 1 hour before closing, and rooms begin clearing 30 minutes before close.
The glass pyramid courtyard opens at 7:30am for photography, though you cannot enter the museum until 9am.
Closed every Tuesday, plus January 1, May 1, and December 25. Last admission is 1 hour before closing, and rooms begin clearing 30 minutes before close.
The glass pyramid courtyard opens at 7:30am for photography, though you cannot enter the museum until 9am.
General admission is €22 when purchased on-site. Online tickets with a reserved time slot cost €17-32 depending on availability and date.
Free admission for visitors under 18, EU residents under 26, disabled visitors and one companion, and teachers with valid ID.
Everyone gets free entry on the first Friday of each month after 6pm (except July and August). The Paris Museum Pass (€62 for 2 days) includes Louvre access and skip-the-line entry.
Free admission for visitors under 18, EU residents under 26, disabled visitors and one companion, and teachers with valid ID.
Everyone gets free entry on the first Friday of each month after 6pm (except July and August). The Paris Museum Pass (€62 for 2 days) includes Louvre access and skip-the-line entry.
The Louvre has four entrances with varying wait times. The Pyramid entrance (main) has the longest lines, often 30-60 minutes.
Best alternatives: The Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance (via 99 Rue de Rivoli or the metro) is covered and usually faster. The Porte des Lions (south side, facing the Seine) is the least crowded but not always open.
The Passage Richelieu is reserved for groups and Paris Museum Pass holders. Online ticket holders can use dedicated security lines at all entrances.
Best alternatives: The Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance (via 99 Rue de Rivoli or the metro) is covered and usually faster. The Porte des Lions (south side, facing the Seine) is the least crowded but not always open.
The Passage Richelieu is reserved for groups and Paris Museum Pass holders. Online ticket holders can use dedicated security lines at all entrances.
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