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Museum
Louvre Museum
The world's largest museum with a collection of over 380,000 objects. Home to the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.
District:1st ArrondissementMetro:Palais Royal – Musée du LouvreTime:3–4 hours (main masterpieces)Price:From €22Official site:https://www.louvre.fr
Crowd indicator
Mini-calculator based on crowd levels by day and time.
When to go?
Mini-calculator based on crowd levels by day and time.
Best time at Mon — 10:00
This day is usually noticeably busy. This slot has a higher chance of a comfortable visit: fewer people and calmer pace. Weather is currently not ideal: overcast ☁️.
30–50% · Quiet60–80% · Moderate90–100% · Crowded
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Louvre Museum
The Louvre is the world's largest art museum, housed in a former royal palace on the banks of the Seine. The collection spans millennia — from ancient Egyptian artifacts to Impressionist masterpieces.
Must-See Masterpieces
- Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) — Room 711, Denon Wing
- Venus de Milo — Ancient Greek sculpture from 2nd century BC
- Winged Victory of Samothrace — The winged goddess of victory
- Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix)
Visiting Tips
- A full tour takes 3–4 days, but main masterpieces can be seen in 3–4 hours
- Wednesday and Friday — open until 21:45, much fewer visitors in the evening
- Free entry on first Sunday of the month (October–March)
- Use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance — shorter queues
Opening hoursWed–Mon 09:00–18:00, Wed & Fri until 21:45. Closed Tuesday.
BookingBetter to book in advance
Best timeWednesday or Friday evening — fewer visitors
Why include in your itinerary
Essential for art and history lovers. Even if you're not a museum fan — the Mona Lisa and the building itself are impressive.
What to know beforehand
The Louvre is impossible to cover in one day — focus on 2–3 wings. Top masterpieces: Mona Lisa (Denon, 1st floor, room 711), Venus de Milo (Denon, ground floor), Winged Victory of Samothrace (Daru staircase). Hidden gems: Napoleon III apartments (Richelieu), medieval foundations (lower ground).
Cafés and restaurants are under the pyramid and in the Richelieu wing. Wednesday evenings are the best time for photos in empty galleries.
How to get there
Nearest stationPalais Royal – Musée du Louvre
AddressRue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
How to find the entrance
1
Approach routeStart from Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Leave enough time for the final walk to the actual entrance.2
Enter the complexGo inside the main complex first, then follow the internal wayfinding to the actual entry point.Main entrance is through the Louvre Pyramid (most crowded). Alternatives: Porte des Lions entrance (lesser known, south side), Carrousel du Louvre (underground mall, entrance from Rue de Rivoli), Passage Richelieu (for ticket holders and members). The fastest entry is via Carrousel du Louvre or Passage Richelieu.
Nearest metro: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (lines 1, 7). Morning slots (9:00–10:00) fill up first — book 2 weeks ahead.
What to consider before visiting
Prohibited: tripods, monopods (selfie sticks), luggage over 55×35×20 cm (lockers available). Photography is allowed without flash in permanent collections. Photography may be prohibited in temporary exhibitions. Food and drinks are not allowed in galleries. Backpacks must be worn in front.
Pets are not allowed (except guide dogs). Touching artworks is strictly prohibited. Strollers are permitted but difficult to maneuver during peak hours.
Location and what's nearby
The Louvre is located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, on the Right Bank of the Seine. Just behind the museum is the Tuileries Garden (ideal for resting after your visit). Across the Pont des Arts bridge is the Latin Quarter and bookshops. A 5-minute walk: Palais Royal with its famous Buren columns.
10 minutes on foot: Sainte-Chapelle and Notre-Dame (Île de la Cité). Shopping street Rue de Rivoli runs alongside the north entrance. Metro station Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre is right at the entrance.
Tickets & tours
General Admission
- Price: €22 (adult)
- Includes: access to all permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
- Valid all day
Free Admission
- First Friday of the month after 6:00 PM (except July–August)
- Free for everyone under 18
- Free for EU residents ages 18–25
- July 14 (Bastille Day) — free for all
Combined Ticket: Louvre + Musée Delacroix
- Price: €22 (same price, Delacroix included)
- Valid for 2 consecutive days
Guided Tour
- Price: from €30 (group) to €250 (private)
- Duration: 1.5–3 hours
- Priority skip-the-line entry
Pricing and how to choose
Price
From €22
- €22 (adult)
Includes
- access to all permanent collections and temporary exhibitions
First Friday of the month after 6
- 00 PM (except July–August)
Price
- €22 (same price, Delacroix included)
Price
- from €30 (group) to €250 (private)
Duration
- 1.5–3 hours
A single €22 ticket covers everything — no hidden surcharges. Paris Museum Pass (2 days — €55, 4 days — €70) includes the Louvre and pays off with 3+ museums. Audio guide on Nintendo 3DS — €5 (at the desk). The free museum app replaces the audio guide for most visitors.
First Friday evenings are a great free option but crowded. Children under 18 always enter free — excellent for families. Private guides are expensive but save time: 2 hours with a guide is more efficient than 5 hours solo.
Sunset slots and quieter hours
Best time: Wednesday or Friday evenings (museum open until 9:45 PM). Monday and Thursday mornings are also quiet. Busiest: Tuesday is CLOSED, Saturday and Sunday 11:00 AM–3:00 PM. Summer (June–September) is peak season. November–February are the best months for a calm visit.
Tip: after 3:00 PM on weekdays, crowds thin significantly. The Mona Lisa and Egyptian antiquities halls are always the most crowded.
History
Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, converted to a museum in 1793. The glass pyramid was added in 1989, designed by I.M. Pei.
Facts
• Area: 72,735 m² • Objects: 380,000+ • Annual visitors: ~9 million • Corridor length: 14.5 km
Reliability & freshness
AuthorAksel Paris Team
Related attractions
FAQ
How much is a Louvre ticket?
€22 for adults. Free for under 18 and on first Sunday of the month (Oct–Mar).
Where is the Mona Lisa?
Room 711, Denon Wing, 1st floor.
How long to visit the Louvre?
Minimum 3–4 hours for main masterpieces. Several days for a complete tour.