cost to visit the louvre museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris: A Complete Guide for Visitors

One of the Globe's Great Artistic Treasuries

 TripSavvy / Taylor McIntyre 

Louvre Museum

As museums go, the louvre is quite simply a mammoth. the word "museum" may even be insufficient: the collections are so vast, diverse, and breathtaking that visitors may have the impression of navigating a maze of distinct artistic and cultural worlds..

Housed in the Palais du Louvre (Louvre Palace) , the former seat of French royalty, the Louvre emerged in the 12th century as a medieval fortress, slowly evolving toward its status as a public arts museum during the French Revolution in the late 18th century. Since then, it has become the globe's most-visited museum, and an enduring symbol of French excellence in the arts.

Spanning eight major thematic departments and 35,000 works of art  dating from Antiquity to the early modern period, the museum's permanent collection includes masterpieces by European masters such as Da Vinci, Delacroix, Vermeer, and Rubens, as well as unsurpassed Greco-Roman, Egyptian, and Islamic arts collections. Frequent temporary exhibits often highlight particular artists or movements, and are almost always worthwhile.

Read related: See early modern and impressionist masterpieces at the nearby Musée d'Orsay

Location and Contact Information:

General Access (individuals without tickets): Musée du Louvre, 1st arrondissement -- Porte des Lions, Galerie du Carrousel, or Pyramid entrances Metro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (Line 1) Buses: Lines 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95, and the Paris Open Tour bus all stop in front of the glass pyramid (the main entrance to the museum.) Information on the Web: Visit the Louvre's official website

Sights and Attractions Nearby:

• Jardin des Tuileries
• Musée d'Orsay (Orsay Museum)
• Musee des Arts Decoratifs (Decorative Arts Museum)
• Designer Shopping in the Rue Saint-Honoré district

Opening Hours:

Open Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, 9 a.m.-6 p.m.; Wednesday and Friday 9 a.m.-9:45 p.m. Admission is free for all on the first Saturday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. 

The museum is closed Tuesdays and on the following dates:

For more detailed information on opening hours for current exhibits or events at the Louvre, consult this page.

Admission/Tickets:

For up-to-date details on admission fees to the Louvre Museum, consult this page at the official Musee du Louvre site . The Paris Museum Pass includes admission to the Louvre. (Buy Direct at Rail Europe)

Louvre Museum Tours:

Guided tours of the Louvre are available for individuals and groups and can make a visit to the museum degrees less overwhelming. Find out more about Louvre museum tours on this page .

Collections, Exhibits and Events at the Louvre:

The following guides will help you navigate the Louvre museum's collections and exhibits and make choices about what you'd like to see ahead of your next visit:

• Louvre Museum Permanent Collections Guide
• Information on temporary exhibits at the Louvre
• Special Events at the Louvre

Accessibility & Services for Visitors With Limited Mobility

The Louvre is generally recognized as being adequately accessible to visitors with physical disabilities. Visitors with wheelchairs have priority access to the museum's main entrance at the pyramid and do not have to wait in line. Wheelchairs may also be rented free of charge at the museum's information desk (an identification card will be required as a deposit.) Visitors with guide dogs, tip canes, and other aids have full access to the collections.

• Find more information on Louvre accessibility  (scroll to the bottom of the page)

Visitor Tips and Advice Ahead of Your Visit:

Read our guide on How NOT to visit the Louvre  to find out how to avoid burnout and make the most of your visit. It's so easy to do too much and feel overwhelmed. Read my expert advice on taking in the museum's collections at a comfortable and enjoyable pace, and absorbing more details. Less really can be more!

Pictures of the Louvre:

For an overview of some of the museum's most important works and details, or for some artistic inspiration, take a look at our Louvre Pictures Gallery .

Read More About the History of the Museum:

Consult this page for an in-depth look at the Louvre Museum's rich and tumultuous history.

Shopping and Dining:

The museum houses several restaurants and snack bars in addition to a cafeteria:

• Just below the Pyramid , the restaurant Le Grand Louvre offers gourmet specialties in a classic setting. Open from 12 a.m. to 3 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 12 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
• On the lower ground floor , the Cafe Denon offers snacks and casual meals. Open from 9:30 am to 5:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. during evening openings).
• On the second floor (European "first floor") , the Cafe Richelieu offers more casual dining possibilities: sandwiches, salads, cold and hot drinks, etc. Open from 10:15 am to 5:00 p.m. (7:00 p.m. during evening openings).
• For books and gifts, head to the Louvre bookshop in the "Hall Napoleon" under the Pyramid. The bookshop boasts France's largest selection of art history titles, in addition to a wide range of guidebooks in various languages, childrens' books, and engravings. Open from 9:30 am to 7:00 p.m. (closes at 9:45 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday).
• The Carrousel du Louvre is a popular shopping center housed within the Louvre palace and accessible via the Rue de Rivoli entrance. Open seven days a week, the Carrousel du Louvre offers designer fashion, home design shops, fine gifts, and other shops you'd expect to find in an upscale shopping center. An extensive upstairs food court is a notch more gourmet-- and also a notch more costly-- than standard mall counterparts.

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Louvre museum in Paris: tickets, prices & opening hours

Visiting the Louvre museum in Paris? Even people with little or no interest in museums or art should put a visit to the Louvre in Paris on their to-do list. The glass pyramid of the Louvre is one of the most famous museums in Paris and the world, with some of the greatest works of art that you must see. And then we are without a doubt talking about Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Besides the Mona Lisa, the Louvre museum offers a wealth of other masterpieces. From the ancient Egyptian collection with the imposing Sphinx of Tanis to the Greek and Roman sculptures, such as the Venus de Milo, the museum embodies the grandeur of the ancient civilizations.

Visitors can also enjoy Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Titian, Raphael, and Michelangelo. In addition, the museum houses an extensive collection of European paintings, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Delacroix.

The Louvre is a large museum, so seeing everything in one day is not possible. That is why it is good to think in advance about what you want to visit & see in the Louvre. Buy your tickets for a visit to the Louvre online in advance. By ordering your tickets in advance, you can avoid the queue and enjoy a visit to this beautiful museum in Paris much faster. Also read our frequently asked questions about the Louvre: where to buy tickets, the price of a ticket, opening hours/times, address of the pyramid and when the museum can be visited for free. In this article the best tips for a flawless visit to the Louvre in Paris.

• Fun to do:   Louvre Museum Priority Entry Ticket + Guided Tour (3h) →

1. Prices & tickets for the Louvre museum in Paris

How much does a ticket cost to visit the Louvre in Paris? The price for a ticket to the Louvre with a fixed entry time is around 17€ per person (€22 from January 15, 2024). You can buy your tickets to visit the Louvre at the box office and tickets can of course also be ordered online. The Louvre is immensely popular. So you can imagine that the queues are sometimes very long. One way to avoid these queues is to buy your tickets for the Louvre online in advance, where you can then book entrance tickets for a specific time slot. Every half hour a new group of visitors is admitted to the Louvre museum.

Good to know: the Louvre museum can be visited free of charge for everyone under the age of 18, young people up to the age of 25 from the European Union and the disabled. Did you know that many museums in Paris, including the glass pyramid of the Louvre, can be visited for free every first Sunday of the month (from October to March)? You must of course take into account large crowds. Buying a ticket for the Louvre in Paris at less busy times usually turns out to be the best option if you want to enjoy the museum in peace.

• Tickets Louvre + guided tours →

2. Visiting the Louvre museum: history history of the glass pyramid

Are you planning to visit the Louvre museum in Paris? A bit of history before visiting the Louvre glass pyramid is definitely a must. The origins of the Louvre in Paris date back to the 1200s. Once a royal residence, it was decided to turn it into a public museum during the French Revolution. The museum opened its doors on August 10, 1793 and is now known as the world’s largest art museum. With more than 35,000 works of art in eight different departments. Beautiful masterpieces from antiquity to about the middle of the 18th century from different cultures across Europe.

The Louvre museum is the cultural symbol of Paris with a number of world famous works of art such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci or the Venus de Milo. The works of art cover a history period of no less than 5000 years. The Louvre is also the most visited museum in the world, receiving more than 10 million visitors every year.

3. What you must see in the Louvre: unmissable works of art

– The Mona Lisa, the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, is of course not to be missed. One of the most famous works of art in the world, it attracts millions of visitors to the Louvre each year. – Another must-see work at the Louvre is the Venus de Milo, a statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Created in the 2nd century BC and is considered a symbol of classical beauty. – There is also the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a statue of the goddess Nike. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, this statue is a wonderful example of Hellenistic art. – Finally The Raft of the Medusa, a painting by Théodore Géricault from 1819. This painting is one of the most impressive examples of French Romanticism and tells the story of a shipwreck in which many people died.

4. Practical tips for visiting the Louvre

– Thursday is usually the best day to visit the Louvre museum. Avoid visiting during the weekend. – Plan the day and time of your visit to the Louvre well in advance. During peak hours (11am to 4pm) it can be very busy. So come as early as possible in the morning or towards the end of the day, then it is also a bit quieter in the museum. – Make a list in advance of what you want to see. The Louvre has different sections with art collections from certain periods or areas and there are also a number of temporary exhibitions to admire. Choose certain departments or you can consider only visiting the highlights such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. – A map is available at the box office to make your visit as smooth as possible. Be sure to take advantage of this. – Did you know that the Louvre museum has several entrances? In addition to the main entrance, there are 3 other entrances that are often much less busy. Therefore, choose the entrances Passage Richelieu, Porte des Lions or Carrousel du Louvre. – Do you want to do some shopping before or after your visit to the Louvre? This is possible at the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping center with beautiful handbags, perfumes, clothing and nice gadgets. – Are you planning to visit several museums in Paris? The Paris Museum Pass offers access to 60 museums in and around Paris. You then have direct and unlimited access for 2, 4 or 6 days.

•  Tickets Louvre + guided tours →

5. Opening hours of the Louvre museum in Paris

The opening hours of the Louvre are every day from 9am to 6pm. The museum is open longer on Fridays. Closed on Tuesday. Good to know: the museum is closed annually on 1 January, 1 May, 8 May and 25 December.

Below is an overview of the opening times of the Louvre: • Monday: 9 am – 6 pm • Closed on Tuesday • Wednesday: 9 am – 6 pm • Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm • Friday: 9am – 9.45pm • Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm • Sunday: 9 am – 6 pm

Visiting the Louvre glass pyramid in Paris is a must-do during your Paris city trip. It is best to buy tickets for a visit to the glass pyramid of the Louvre in advance to avoid waiting times. Enjoy a visit to the Louvre museum in Paris with these tips. Discover here the other highlights in Paris that you should not miss.

Frequently asked questions about the louvre museum in paris & tickets.

You can buy tickets to visit the Louvre in Paris at the box office. Entrance tickets can also be ordered online in advance and this way you can also avoid the queues.

Tickets Louvre + guided tours →

The price for a ticket for the Louvre with a fixed entry time starts at 17€ per person. You can also opt for guided tours with a guide.

Opening hours of the Louvre: every day from 9am to 6pm. The museum is open longer on Fridays. Closed on Tuesday. Good to know: the Louvre museum is closed annually on January 1, May 1, May 8 and December 25.

The Louvre Museum is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

The museum is free to visit for everyone under the age of 18, for young adults up to the age of 26 from the European Union and also for the disabled.

Admission to the Louvre is free every first Sunday of the month from October to March.

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15 Tips & Tricks for Visiting the Louvre Museum in Paris (2024 Info)

By Author Jurga

Posted on Last updated: February 4, 2024

Planning to visit the famous Louvre Museum in Paris and wondering what to expect? When to go, what to see, and how to make sure you don’t miss any of the ‘musts’? Or maybe you are more worried about the practical aspects of the visit, such as how to skip the lines, which entrance to take, or what you can bring inside?

This guide should answer all your questions and help you plan a truly memorable experience when visiting the Louvre. Find out!

The Louvre Museum in Paris, France, is one of the most famous and largest museums in the world, housing a vast collection of art and artefacts that span over 9,000 years of history. Louvre is also the world’s most visited museum, attracting millions of visitors every year.

As you can imagine, visiting the Louvre can be overwhelming, especially if this is your first time in Paris , your time is limited, and you want to make the most out of your visit.

So here are some of our top tips and tricks for a better experience and to make sure that you get the most out of your visit to the Louvre Museum . At the bottom of the article, you can also find answers to some frequently asked questions about visiting the Louvre. Take a look!

Top Paris Experiences to Book in Advance:

• The Louvre .
• Eiffel Tower .
• Sainte Chapelle .
• Versailles Palace .
• Moulin Roug e .

Good to know: This guide is written with the help of Steven from Art History Co . Passionate about famous paintings from art history, he visited the Louvre many times. Based on his recommendations and our personal experience, in this article, we bundled all our top tips and the most important info for your first visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris.

Here are some of our top tips for visiting the Louvre:

1. Plan ahead

As already mentioned, Louvre is the most visited museum in the world. Just before the pandemic, they welcomed almost 10 million visitors a year. The moment restrictions started to ease, tourist numbers skyrocketed again…

This led to Louvre capping the number of daily visitors, with timed-entry slots, and it seems that this practice is here to stay. The lines at the Louvre have always been notoriously long, but these days, you are no longer guaranteed to get in even if you decide to wait it out.

So if you want to visit the Louvre Museum, you’ll have to plan – and book your tickets – ahead. You can find more information about the tickets and tours below.

Good to know: The Louvre is open daily except on Tuesdays. Opening hours are from 9 AM to 6 PM, except on Fridays when the museum is open longer – until 9.45 PM. The Louvre is closed on Christmas Day, January 1, and May 1, and remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday.

READ ALSO: Tips for Visiting Paris (First-Timer’s Guide)

2. Decide if you’ll go on your own or with a tour

Before you rush to book your tickets for the Louvre, you should consider whether you want to try to tackle the museum on your own or would rather go with a local guide.

There are advantages and disadvantages to both approaches. Here are a few things to consider.

• If you have at least half a day (4-5 hours) and are prepared to do your own research, then consider going on your own. The main advantage of going on your own is that you can decide which works you want to see (you’ll need to find them though – more info below) or how long you want to stay admiring them. Needless to say, this is cheaper than going with a guide.

Here, you can reserve a timed-entry ticket if you decide to visit on your own. Without a guide, you may want to opt for a ticket that includes an audio guide . If you go on your own, be sure to read all our practical tips for visiting the Louvre Museum further below!

• If you are short on time (2-3 hours) and want to see all the famous artworks at the Louvre in just a couple of hours, consider going on a guided tour. Going with a local guide will save lots of time, research, and stress. Not only will you not have to worry about the tickets, which entrance to take, or where to go, but you’ll also be sure to see all the most important masterpieces that Louvre is famous for. And if you like to (and depending on the hour of your tour), you can decide to stay inside the museum after the tour and explore a bit more on your own.

Here, you can find a big selection of tours . You can opt for group tours, small-group tours , or private tours . There are tours that go early in the morning and others that try to avoid the biggest crowds by visiting just before closing time.

TIP: We have been to the Louvre several times over the years, and just once without a guide (and it was overwhelming!). Recently, we visited the Louvre with this small-group ‘Closing time at the Louvre’ tour and it was a great experience. We didn’t have to worry about any practicalities, saw a lot more than ever before, and learned so much info and interesting facts about the museum and the art. Recommended!

You can find additional information about tickets and tours below. But first – one more thing to consider before you book your Louvre tickets.

3. Avoid peak times

It goes without saying that your experience visiting Louvre will highly depend on when you visit. If you come here on a Monday in February it will be incomparably quieter than on a Saturday before Easter… But the Louvre is always busy.

As a minimum, try to avoid the weekends (even more so the first Sundays of the month when most Parisian museums including the Louvre are free), public holidays, and French school holidays. It’s busy. Really, really busy. The museum is also at its busiest in the middle of the day (+- 10 am to 3 pm).

One of the best days to visit is Thursday. Mondays and Fridays are also good, also because the museum is open until late on Friday evenings.

The best times to visit the Louvre are either very first thing in the morning (but only if you manage to get in the moment it opens and quickly run to the most popular rooms (Mona Lisa)) or late in the afternoon, a few hours before the museum closes.

Good to know: The last entry to the museum is 1 hour before the closing time, but you really should come at least 2-3 hours before that if you want to see some of the main pieces of art. They start clearing all the rooms over half an hour before the closing time.

For example, the earlier-mentioned ‘Closing time tour’ that we did , brings you to Mona Lisa at its quietest – just before the rooms get cleared. The tour starts 3 hours before the closing time, so you have enough time to see the other pieces of art first.

4. Book your tickets in advance

We cannot stress this enough – if you want to be sure to visit the Louvre, you really have to book your tickets in advance. If the maximum capacity isn’t reached, they might allow walk-ins, but you cannot count on it. Not even to mention that you’ll waste a lot of time waiting in line.

You don’t have to (in fact, you can’t) book months in advance, but we recommend reserving the tickets at least 2-3 weeks before your travel date. Usually, the museum releases the tickets about 5-8 weeks in advance (usually, at the start of the preceding month – so in the beginning of May for the entire month of June, etc.). If you want to have a specific time slot, it’s best not to wait too long (even more so if visiting during the peak season).

Good to know: Children under 18 can visit the Louvre Museum free of charge. EU residents under 26 years old are also free (but don’t forget your ID!). You will still need to reserve a timed ticket in advance even if entry is free for you.

TIP: You don’t have to print out the ticket as the email you receive will have a link to a barcode which they will scan on entry. However, note that the mobile reception isn’t fantastic inside, so after you make your purchase, simply screenshot the barcode on your phone for easy access.

Note about the Louvre tickets. You can buy them on the official website of the museum , and also on reputable websites that are official resellers, such as Tiqets or GetYourGuide .

The official website has somewhat cheaper rates and also the very first time slots of the day. Official resellers add a small administrative fee. However, despite a few euros difference, we normally book all our Paris tickets via Tiqets or GetYourGuide . It’s just so much easier than having to create separate accounts and deal with different systems of each museum/attraction. Plus, often you can even save more money by getting combination tickets they offer (see below).

5. Save money by getting ticket bundles

If you are planning to visit several sites and attractions in Paris, you can sometimes get better deals on bundles .

Here are some of the most popular ticket bundles that include the Louvre tickets:

• Louvre + Seine Cruise .
• Louvre + Eiffel Tower .
• Louvre + Eiffel Tower + Seine Cruise (with Eiffel Tower Summit tickets.
• Louvre + D’Orsay Museum .
• Louvre + Opera Garnier .

Good to know: Paris Museum Pass also includes the Louvre tickets. However, you will still need to reserve a specific time slot yourself and that can be a hassle if you don’t think of it in time.

READ ALSO: Best Museums in Paris

6. Skip the lines by avoiding the main entrance

While the famous Louvre Pyramid is iconic, equally iconic is the sight of the long lines waiting to get in. Not many tourists know that there are several other entrances.

One of the best entrances for individual visitors to the Louvre is the underground entrance at Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall . It can be accessed directly from the metro station. It’s incomparably quieter here than at the main entrance at the Louvre Pyramid!

If you are arriving by metro, simply follow the directions to the museum through the shopping mall without heading upstairs. If you are coming on foot, locate the Triumphal Arch on the eastern end of the Tuileries Garden. Facing the Louvre on both sides of the Arch, you’ll see stairs going down (see the exact location on the map ).

Not only is this entrance undercover (great if it’s raining), but it’s also air-conditioned (a life-saver when it’s hot). The line here is usually incomparably shorter than at the main entrance; just make sure you are in the general admission line.

7. Prepare for an airport-style security check

Security check at the Louvre is similar to an airport, so prepare in the same way. Except that here you can bring a bottle of water.

First, don’t bring anything you don’t absolutely need. No sprays or sharp objects, so leave your nail cutters, Swiss knives, and hairsprays at the hotel. Also, no big bags are allowed inside the Louvre. The maximum size is 55 x 35 x 20 cm (21 x 14 x 8 inches).

By the way, this is not only important when visiting the Louvre, but everywhere in Paris. All the main tourist attractions have similar security checks, so carry as little as possible in order to save time and hassle everywhere you go.

As you wait, take all items from your pockets and place them into a handbag or backpack to make your entrance smooth. Be patient as you will see many wonderfully confused and unprepared visitors in front of you going through security as they have never done it before.

Good to know: While the entry tickets are timed, there is actually quite a good ‘grace period’. So if you are half an hour early they will still allow you to enter, and the same goes if you are late. I wouldn’t stretch it too far though. Try to arrive at the security check at least 30 minutes before your time slot. This is if you use the entrance that we recommend; if you use the main entrance, you will need much more time.

TIP: While waiting in line, connect your mobile phone to the Wifi. It’s free and fast whereas the mobile signal is patchy inside the museum.

8. Don’t overpack, but know that you can bring whatever you need

If you are sightseeing the whole day, you’ll likely have some things with you that you don’t absolutely need at the museum, but want to have with you for other reasons. Don’t stress about it.

You can bring what you need and small backpacks are allowed at the Louvre (see the maximum dimensions in the above section). However, keep in mind that backpacks and large bags might not be allowed in the galleries.

Good to know: If you have a heavy jacket or a backpack, you can simply store it in the free self-service lockers. You can find more info about lockers below.

Here are some tips for what you may want to bring with you:

• A sweater, a jacket, or a scarf (depending on the season). While the busy areas of the museum are generally quite warm, it can be much cooler in some galleries than in others.
• Headphones. If you are planning on getting an audio guide (which we highly recommend if visiting without a guide), consider bringing your own headphones with a standard jack. The headphones that come with the audio guides are quite clunky and uncomfortable and you will have a much better time with smaller headphones. If you have wired noise canceling headphones, you may want to bring them as the museum is loud. But I wouldn’t buy new headphones just for this.
• Small snacks/lunch. If you are planning on spending more time at the Louvre, you can bring some snacks or your own lunch if you wish. The food at the Louvre isn’t that expensive, however, on the busier days at lunchtime it can sometimes be hard to find a seat to sit down! Please note that you are not allowed to eat or drink in the exhibition rooms.
• Camera/phone. If you are taking pictures with your phone, you may also want to pack a power bank (and a long cable)! Please note that you are not allowed to use selfie sticks or flash. In general, you can take pictures everywhere, but some temporary exhibitions may not allow photography.
• Credit cards. You don’t need to bring any cash.
• Face masks. At the moment of writing, face masks are not mandatory. However, some rooms at the Louvre can be extremely crowded and full of tourists. So if you feel uncomfortable with that, you may want to bring a face mask.
• ID. You will need this for reduced entry if under 18 or 26 as an EU resident. Any national card is accepted, you don’t need a passport. You will also need an ID if you want to rent an audio guide or borrow any kind of equipment (they have baby carriers, pushchairs, walking sticks, folding stools, wheelchairs, etc.).

TIP: Check the official site for more information about all the available amenities. The Louvre also offers free Wi-Fi and phone chargers.

9. Pick up a map

Once you are through security, the natural instinct is to head straight for the paintings. A few more minutes to prepare will go a long way!

First, pick up a map . While the staff are very good (they all speak English and French) and there are signs everywhere, you will really need a map when visiting the Louvre on your own. Paper maps are available in the lobby as you first get into the Louvre and will come in very handy as the museum is massive.

There is also a visual map on the audio guide screen with geo-tracking. But it’s actually quite difficult to use. So we really recommend that you pick up a traditional paper map.

10. Get an audio guide

If you want to learn at least a bit of background information about the works of art that interest you, make sure to get an audio guide . (Obviously, you won’t need this if going with a guided tour.) It can be a bit confusing at first, but once you know how to use it, it’s really helpful.

There are well-labelled kiosks upon entry where you can buy an audio guide (or skip this step and get a ticket with an audio guide already included). The machine prints a receipt with which you can pick up your audio guide from the service desk next to it.

On busy days, you will see lots of tourists trying to buy audio guides from the desk directly, this can sometimes create unnecessary queuing. Just hold up your receipt and somebody will swap it for an audio guide. Remember to have your ID card ready.

11. Use the lockers

You’re in, you have a map, an audio guide, and are good to go. One final stop. Head downstairs to the lockers and drop off everything you don’t absolutely need . This will make your visit so much more enjoyable!

You will see lots of people around and a lot of unavailable lockers. Head right to the back of the room and there are always plenty of available ones, even on busy days.

There are lockers of all sizes. They are FREE and easy to use and you’ll find the instructions on the lockers. Just don’t forget the code that you choose! Lockers are free and secure. Btw, they have glass doors, so you will still recognize your locker even if you forget which one it was. However, it makes it easier to simply snap a photo of the locker number on your phone.

Make sure you take everything with you when you leave. After you leave, you cannot re-enter the museum.

Good to know: There are bathrooms next to the lockers. They are typically the cleanest and the least busy of them all.

12. Be prepared to push in

Regardless of what day you visit, or even the season, the Louvre will be busy. The main halls and galleries will be full of people and it will be loud. There will be large tour groups where the guides will push in (they are trying to do their job).

You have to realize that not everybody at the Louvre will speak English or French, and that people come from different cultural backgrounds. A simple ‘excuse me’ or ‘do you mind’ can go a long way, but it can also lead to a confused stare or even get people upset.

Good to know: The famous works will have a large gathering of people around them and if you want to get to the front for a closer look, you won’t have much luck waiting for your chance. Push in, do what you need to, and get out. Just don’t expect to be able to stand in the center of a world-famous painting for several minutes without disturbance.

If you want to try and get a selfie or even just a picture in front of famous works, don’t expect it to be perfect. There will always be people around you.

Also, remember that there are plenty of other paintings in the Louvre which are just as good and substantially less busy than the famous Mona Lisa. In fact, there are a couple of amazing Leonardo da Vinci paintings that you can see without the crowds (and take a selfie with them if you like).

Talking about famous masterpieces, read on for more tips!

13. Research what you want to see

With almost half a million pieces of art, the collection of the Louvre is massive. At any given time, there are about 35,000 artworks displayed in more than 400 rooms of the museum. You would need several weeks or even months if you want to properly see everything…

So don’t expect to see ‘everything’ in a day, let alone in a couple of hours. Do some research, decide what you absolutely want to see, and take a look at the map to plan your visit.

Some of the most famous pieces of art at the Louvre are:

• Mona Lisa (La Gioconda) by Leonardo da Vinci.
• Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch.
• Winged Victory of Samothrace.
• The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault.
• Slaves by Michelangelo.
• Great Sphinx of Tanis .
• The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David.
• The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Veronese.
• Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix.
• Death of the Virgin by Caravaggio.

TIP: Most first-time visitors head to the Denon wing of the Louvre. It’s here that you will find some of the most famous masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and many others listed below. See below for more info.

Good to know: You can use the interactive map on the website of the museum to help you plan (although it helps to know the room numbers before you start). On the website, you can also find several suggested itineraries for a first visit. Just remember that it all looks so much simpler on paper than in reality. The museum is huge, it’s busy everywhere, and it’s not simple to stick to a plan, even if you are extremely well prepared. This is the reason why we personally much rather go with a guide…

14. Know where to find the most famous works

The Louvre is made of three areas, called Richelieu, Sully and Denon wings . They can all be accessed from the lobby and are very clearly labelled. Consider them as individual museums or buildings; you can’t connect from one to another without coming back to the center of the museum.

Know what you are looking for in each wing. Below is some information about the famous paintings and sculptures you won’t want to miss in each wing:

The Denon Wing is made up of mostly Spanish and Italian paintings, along with the famous 19th-century Neoclassical paintings from France.

It’s here that you will find the most famous Louvre painting of them all – the Mona Lisa . It’s located in Room 711 and there are signs everywhere in the museum with a picture of the painting and an arrow pointing you towards it. If you go straight to the painting, it’s about a 3-4 minute walk from the entrance to the Denon wing.

Be prepared for big crowds here. There can be a line to get in and two lines to get closer to the painting – one to the left and one to the right. Just join it, it likely won’t get any better. Use this time to flick through the map and familiarize yourself with the Louvre and check out the other paintings around you. The line usually moves pretty quickly, but on busy days you may be waiting around 30 minutes. It’s often quieter first thing in the morning and at the end of the day.

In addition, make sure to check out the other paintings in the room. Don’t miss the famous Paolo Veronese painting The Wedding at Cana which is incredible and often overlooked due to its proximity to the Mona Lisa.

TIP: Just nearby, in the hall of the Grande Galerie, there are also other da Vinci paintings : Saint John the Baptist, Virgin of the Rocks, La Belle Ferronnière, and The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne. These are usually very quiet and overlooked by most visitors.

Rooms 700-702 of the Denon Wing also contain most of the famous French Neo-Classic paintings such as Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People , Théodore Géricault’s The Raft of the Medusa , and both The Coronation of Napoleon and Oath of the Horatii by Jacques-Louis David among many others. These rooms are very close to the Mona Lisa painting and can also get extremely busy as most tour groups come here as well.

Richelieu Wing

The Richelieu wing houses many of the older northern paintings in the Louvre, from the 14th century right through to the 17th century. The paintings here are mostly of German, Flemish and Dutch origin.

There are two masterworks in Room 38 by Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer which are quite small in size and often overlooked, The Lacemaker and The Astronomer .

The famous Bathsheba at Her Bath by Rembrandt is right around the corner in Room 844, along with many of his other paintings.

The Richelieu wing also contains a room filled wall to wall with enormous Peter Paul Rubens paintings depicting the life of the Queen of France Marie de’ Medici. It’s a quiet corner in the Louvre so doesn’t get many visitors. You can find it in Room 801. It’s a wonderful place to sit down and relax as there are many seats in the middle of the room so you can take a load off and immerse yourself in the paintings.

TIP: One of the most impressive sculpture halls of the Louvre Museum – Cour Marly – can also be found in the Richelieu Wing (Room 102). It’s located right under one of the glass pyramids and can be seen from several levels.

The Sully wing of the Louvre contains the famous ancient Greek, Egyptian and Roman art. It’s very well laid out so you can walk through it naturally without missing anything, however, be sure to see the main highlights:

• Great Sphinx of Tanis is in Room 324, a granite sculpture from the 26th century BC.
• The Venus de Milo is arguably the most famous statue in the world. This ancient Greek marble sculpture from the Hellenistic period is larger than life at 7 feet tall and stands in Room 345.
• The Seated Scribe is an often overlooked tiny limestone statue in Room 635.
• Don’t miss the original fortress in the basement, a part of the old Louvre Castle wall.

15. Check out the Louvre Pyramids

When you are finished with your visit, don’t forget to head back to the locker and collect your bag. Return your audio guide if you hired one, and collect your ID.

Also, before you head out to the door, head downstairs and have a look at the bottom of the Louvre Pyramid.

Take the escalator and exit through the main door. Then, take some time to walk around the main square of the Louvre and admire its famous glass pyramids. Yes, there is more than one. In addition to the main large pyramid, there are three smaller pyramids and nice fountains.

You can take some beautiful pictures here. But for that, you may need to come back later at night (or visit very early in the morning) when the light is better and there are fewer people.

Louvre Museum FAQ

The Louvre Museum is so big that you could spend a week and still not see everything inside… That being said, most visitors typically spend 2-3 hours at the Louvre. If you plan well (or go with a local guide), you can quickly see ‘the musts’ in about 2 hours.

While it’s possible to get Louvre Museum tickets on the spot, only a very limited number of tickets are available for purchase at the entrance (and only during off-peak times). So if you want to be sure to visit the museum, you really should book timed-entry tickets in advance.

Louvre Museum tickets are timed and valid for one entry. So you cannot use the same ticket to come back to the museum. Once you leave the Louvre, you will not be able to enter with the same ticket again.

Yes, small backpacks are allowed at the Louvre. The maximum size of the bags you can take inside is 55 x 35 x 20 cm (21 x 14 x 8 inches). However, bigger bags and backpacks may not be allowed inside some galleries, so you will have to use (free) lockers to stow your bags during your visit.

The three most important works that you really have to see at the Louvre are the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, Venus de Milo by Alexandros of Antioch, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

The Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the most famous museums in the world. So yes, of course, it’s worth a visit and you will probably not want to miss it on your first visit to the city. That being said, if your time in Paris is limited, we recommend planning not more than 2-3 hours for the Louvre, to quickly see the main sights. And if you decide not to visit inside, be sure to at least see the exterior of the building, the pyramids, and the park.

So, these are some of our top tips for your first visit to the Louvre Museum in Paris. We hope that it gives you a good idea of what to expect and helps you plan an unforgettable visit.

Yes, the Louvre is crowded, and yes, some artworks are so overhyped that it’s difficult to appreciate how truly remarkable they are. But no visit to Paris would be complete without catching a glimpse of some of the most important paintings and sculptures in the world.

So whatever you do, don’t miss it!

More tips for visiting France:

• French Food (Best Dishes to Try)
• Paris Travel Tips
• 1 Day in Paris
• How to See the Best of Paris in 4 Days
• Best Things to Do in Montmartre
• Best Views in Paris
• Paris in October
• Best Towns of the Alsace Wine Route
• Best of Strasbourg
• Best of Colmar
• Mont St Michel

If you found this post helpful, don’t forget to bookmark it and share it with your friends. Are you on Pinterest? Pin these images!

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Friday 2nd of February 2024

Hello, first let me say how helpful your site has been as I've planned our first trip to Italy and Paris, thank you! Q: I'm trying to book tickets at the Louvre for April 4th and it's not showing any availability that far out. Is it due to the timing or are they truly sold out that far? Thank you

Saturday 3rd of February 2024

Hi Terri, at this moment, you can only book Louvre tickets until the end of March, so you are a bit too early. Try again at the beginning of March. I think they only release them for the current and next month.

Wednesday 15th of March 2023

Thanks for all the useful tips on your blog. We are going to Paris in May and can't decide if Louvre is worth it or if we should go to d'Orsay museum instead? Or should we try to see both? We have 3 days.

Friday 17th of March 2023

Hi Lisa, if this is your first time in Paris, then I think that the Louvre is really a must. But the d'Orsay museum is also very interesting and well worth a few hours. I would try to see both. :) With three days in Paris, you should be able to find the time for both museums. You may want to take a look at our Paris 4-day itinerary for ideas on how to plan it all. It has some lesser-visited places listed and an amazing food tour that we did, but if you skip those and just focus on the 'musts' then you should be able to do all that in 3 days. Have a great trip! PS Book your tickets for all the main sights in advance - that way, you are sure that you can actually see everything that you want to without wasting time.

Home > Paris Attractions > Louvre Guide 2024: Best Way to See the Louvre, Louvre Must-See, Map, and Top Louvre Tips by a Local

Louvre Guide 2024: Best Way to See the Louvre, Louvre Must-See, Map, and Top Louvre Tips by a Local

Louvre museum guide.

All about the Louvre: must-see, map of the Louvre entrances, and top tips for planning your Louvre itinerary.

If you ever find yourself in the French capital, don’t miss the Louvre Museum , one of the top things to do in Paris .

Located on the Seine River’s right bank, in the first Arrondissement, the Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums, home to incredible artworks. From Ancient Egypt statues to Baroque portraits, there’s something for everyone in the Louvre!

After visiting the Louvre Museum many times (at least twice a year), I have put together this Guide to the Louvre Museum  to help visitors with the latest information and my most precious Louvre tips. Use this Louvre Guide to decide what to see at the Louvre and plan your Louvre itinerary. Enjoy!

Table of Contents

• Why Visit the Louvre Museum
• Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit the Louvre Museum
• How to Visit the Louvre Museum
• Map of the Louvre Entrances [2024] & Best Louvre Entrance 2024
• A Peek Inside the Louvre (Take a Louvre Map!)
• Best Way to Visit the Louvre
• What to See at the Louvre (Louvre Highlights)
• Other Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is one of the top sights to visit in Paris. We recommend visiting the Louvre in the following Paris itineraries:

• 2 days in Paris itinerary
• 3 days in Paris itinerary
• 4 days in Paris itinerary
• 5 days in Paris itinerary
• 6 days in Paris itinerary
• 7 days in Paris itinerary

Related Articles

1. Why Visit the Louvre Museum

Haters will tell you to skip the Louvre because it’s expensive and the lines are long. But the 10 million people who visit the Louvre Museum annually are no fools, carried along by clichés. Come to visit and experience this incredible Museum for yourself!

The Louvre Museum is the world’s largest art museum and also the most visited.   The Louvre Museum houses a collection of more than 35,000 works of art spread over 60,000 square meters that range from ancient civilizations from the 6th century BC to the 19th century. If you have minimal interest in the arts, you will find something you like when visiting the Louvre!

Thanks to the Louvre’s Glass Pyramid , designed by the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei, the Louvre Museum is also one of France’s most iconic monuments and one of Paris’s top photo spots for photographers. When it gets dark, the illuminated Louvre Pyramid is a must-see of Paris at night .

You will find some of the world’s most famous paintings and sculptures in the Louvre. The Mona Lisa , the Venus of Milo , the Code of Hammurabi , the Regent Diamond , and Napoleon I’s Coronation are just a few examples.

The Louvre is also part of the history of France.   The Louvre was built in the 12th century by King Philippe Auguste II as his royal palace. Over the years, the Louvre Palace symbolized the French monarchy’s wealth, power, and decadence, and its rooms and halls are stunning.

2. Opening Hours and Best Time to Visit the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesday to Monday. The last entry is one hour before the closing time, and they start evacuating the rooms at 5.30 p.m.

The Louvre is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.

Before the pandemic, the Louvre held night sessions on Wednesday and Friday from 6 p.m. to 9.45 p.m. Currently (2024), the night session is only on Fridays.

2.1 The Louvre is Free for All Visitors on the First Friday of the Month (after 6 p.m.)

The Louvre Museum is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month, night session (except in July, August, and 14th of July).

Given the interest in visiting the Louvre for free, only online reservations guarantee free entry to the Museum on Friday night. Reservations for the free Louvre Friday nights open a few days before the end of the month. Your booked ticket will cost 0€ and will be valid only on the selected date and time slot.

2.2 Best Day and Best Time to Visit the Louvre

The table below shows the estimated visitor flow in the Louvre Museum, and it is divided into days and time slots for the low season and high season. The  green  colour means fewer visitors while the  red  colour means more crowds. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.

» The best day to visit the Louvre Museum depends on the season (low season or high season). Generally speaking, visiting the Louvre during the week rather than the weekend is a good idea.

»  Since the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, Wednesdays see more visitors. Therefore, the best days to visit the Louvre are Mondays and Thursdays.

» What is the best time to visit the Louvre?  Arrive early in the morning, before the Museum’s opening.

3. How to Visit the Louvre Museum

How to visit the Louvre? While most people opt for a Louvre self-guided tour, a Louvre guided tour (private or with a small group) is an excellent idea if you are visiting the Louvre for the first time. Benefit from the special Louvre entrance for groups, with 0 waiting time, and see the major Louvre highlights with the explanations of a certified and passionate English-speaking guide.

• Priority Entrance Ticket + Small Group Guided Tour
• Priority Entrance Ticket + Private Guided Tour
• Other Louvre Guided Tour Options

If you prefer to visit the Louvre on a self-guided tour, you can buy your Louvre ticket with an audio guide for the best Louvre experience.

3.1 Book Your Louvre Timed Entrance Ticket Online

Due to the current circumstances, the Louvre has reduced the number of daily visitors. This means that there are fewer Louvre tickets to sell each day.

We strongly advise buying your Louvre tickets online in advance , as only online booking can guarantee your entrance to the Museum on a specific day. When you purchase the tickets online, you choose a specific date and time slot, ensuring a quick entry to the Museum in less than 30 minutes.

Visitors entitled to free admission also need to use the online booking system. At the end of the process, the cost will be 0€. This allows the Louvre to fully control the number of daily visitors — Click here to buy your Louvre tickets

3.2 Leave Your Coat and Backpack in the Cloakroom

Under the Glass Pyramid, a Cloakroom provides you with lockers and places for umbrellas free of charge. Remember that suitcases and bulky bags are prohibited. In case of difficulty, you can contact the help desk next door.

4. Map of the Louvre Entrances [2024]

There are five official Louvre entrances, shown on the Louvre Map here below:  Glass Pyramid , Porte des Lions , Carrousel du Louvre , and  Passage Richelieu .

The  Glass Pyramid , Carrousel du Louvre , and  Passage Richelieu are always open, while the Porte des Lions is closed on Fridays.

» The  Glass Pyramid   is the main Louvre entrance, and anybody can use it. It is also the most impressive access to the Louvre.

» Passage Richelieu entrance is for guided groups or visitors with a membership card (Amis du Louvre, Louvre Pro, Ministère de la Culture, Pass Education, ICOM).

» Galerie du Carrousel  (99 Rue de Rivoli) is another entrance to the Louvre Museum that anybody can use. The advantage of this Louvre Museum entrance is the direct access from the Parisian Metro (metro station Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre, line 1, take exit #6). Also, this is the best Louvre entrance to wait in line during rainy days in Paris or when it is too cold outside. 

» Porte des Lions is another option, but it’s a bit eccentric and only available for visitors with a ticket. There’s no Cloakroom nearby, so you will be denied access if you carry bulky objects. Please note this access is closed on Fridays, and sometimes the Museum management closes it without notice.

4.1 Best Louvre Entrance 2024

The best Louvre Entrance is Passage Richelieu , with zero waiting time. This entrance, however, is reserved for guided groups or people with membership cards.

The Louvre Glass Pyramid is the most popular entrance, and you can see long lines in the high season and on weekends. That said, in January 2024, I entered the Museum through the Glass Pyramid with a timed entrance ticket and only had to wait 10 minutes (low season, weekday).

The Carrousel du Louvre entrance is less crowded than the Pyramid, and you avoid the hazards of the weather. Personally, I find it a bit claustrophobic when it is overcrowded.

Porte des Lions can be a good entrance, but it’s a bit hit-and-miss, as sometimes it is closed without any previous notice.

4.2 Entering the Louvre through the Glass Pyramid

The Louvre Glass Pyramid has different lines marked with different colours:

• Yellow line  for visitors with special passes, such as annual visitor cards or tourist cards
• Orange line  for visitors without a pre-purchased ticket
• Green line  for visitors with tickets with a specific time slot
• Blue Line  for disabled visitors, pregnant women, visitors with strollers, or visitors with mobility issues. These visitors have access to the lift down to the Main Hall.

The green line is split into two lines, and each line is for different time slots. Before waiting in line, check that you are in the line for your time slot!

The Louvre Glass Pyramid is the Museum’s main entrance. To access the Louvre Museum through the Pyramid, you will find several controls:

• Before joining the line to access the Museum, there’s a first ticket control to ensure you are on the right day, time slot, and line (picture above).
• Right after entering the Glass Pyramid, you will be asked to use the hand sanitizer, and then, there’s the security control (scanner).

After the scanner, you will take the stairs down to the Main Hall, with the Information Desk, Cloakroom, Visitors’ Assistance Area, one of the restaurants and Paul’s bakery. You can see the entrances to the three different Louvre Wings from the Main Hall: Denon, Sully , and Richelieu . They are located on the Mezzanine.

Choose the Louvre Wing that appeals to you most and take the stairs up to the Mezzanine. Here, you can pick up the audio guides (on the desktop right before the tripods), and there’s the second ticket control. If you are entitled to free admission, you will be asked to show proof of free admission at this moment.

5. A Peek Inside the Louvre (Take a Louvre Map!)

5.1 Louvre Sections

The Art Treasures of the Louvre Museum are grouped into eight curatorial departments or Louvre sections: 

• Egyptian Antiquities
• Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
• Near Eastern Antiquities
• Islamic Art, Paintings
• Decorative Arts
• Prints and Drawings

5.2 Louvre Layout

The Louvre’s treasures are exhibited in the Museum’s three interconnected Wings: Richelieu Wing , Denon Wing , and Sully Wing, clearly marked on the Louvre map.

In addition to these Wings, the Museum’s inner courtyards display the biggest sculptures.

On the Louvre map, you will find the Denon Wing facing the Seine River. Denon Wing is named after M. Denon (1747-1825), the first director of the Musée du Louvre. In Denon Wing, visitors find important artworks such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci or The Winged Victory of Samothrace.

If you want to concentrate on one Louvre Wing only, we suggest the Denon Wing.

The Sully Wing is located between the Denon Wing and the Richelieu Wing and is named after M. Sully (1559-1641), Chief Minister of King Henri IV. In the Sully Wing, visitors can find the Medieval Louvre, the Egyptian Antiquities, and the Venus of Milo.

Richelieu Wing

On the map of the Louvre, you will find the Richelieu Wing facing Rue de Rivoli. The Richelieu Wing is named after Cardinal Richelieu (1585-1642), Chief Minister of King Louis XIII. In Richelieu Wing, visitors can find French paintings and sculptures, Napoleon III apartments, and Near Eastern Antiquities.

5.3 Take a Louvre Map (with Highlights)

Taking a map of the Louvre Museum is paramount for visiting the Louvre. You have paper versions (Louvre map with highlights) in the Information Kiosk in the Central Hall, and there are also some QR codes with the Louvre Museum map to flash while you are waiting in line to enter the Glass Pyramid.

The Louvre map comes with the plans of the four floors, and you can find all the Louvre sections by floor and Wings and some of the Louvre highlights.

6. Best Way to See the Louvre

With 403 rooms, 14.5 km of rooms and corridors, and 72.735 m2 of exhibition spaces, visiting the entire Louvre in one day is impossible . If you spent one minute seeing each Louvre artwork, it would take 64 days to see everything in the Museum!

How to navigate the Louvre? There’s no right or wrong Louvre itinerary. You can decide to visit just one Wing, all floors, or walk through the different Louvre Wings. If you return to the Central Hall and then head to another Louvre Wing, you will have to show your Louvre ticket again.

Any exit from the Louvre Museum is final, and you won’t be able to come back with the same ticket.

Five Ways to Visit the Louvre

In our opinion, there are five ways to visit the Louvre:

1- Enter the Museum and start walking through galleries and galleries randomly. This is not the best option in a vast museum like the Louvre.

2- Follow the experts at your own pace with a Louvre Museum audio guide or a phone app. You can buy your skip-the-line Louvre ticket + audio guide online in advance and pick up the audio guide when you arrive at the Museum. Remember to grab the Louvre must-see map at the Main Hall.

3- Join a Louvre guided tour and visit the Louvre highlights with a professional guide. After the tour, you can visit other artworks, but you’ll surely have covered the basics.

4- Write down a Louvre bucket list , study it at home with the help of this Louvre Map , and try to make a Louvre itinerary that makes sense from a logistics point of view to avoid walking unnecessary kilometres.

TIP: Do you need some help for a quick visit? Click here to see how to visit the Louvre in 2 hours or less

5- Pick a specific department (e.g., Italian Paintings) and focus on this department only to get the most out of it. This is my favourite way to visit the Louvre because I am local in Paris and can visit the Louvre whenever I want. This way of touring the Louvre is also perfect for frequent Paris travellers or people interested in a specific subject.

Whatever you decide, grab the Louvre highlights map upon your arrival , take a break from time to time and use the restrooms when you see them (I never find the restrooms when I need them most, lol).

7. What to See at the Louvre (Louvre Highlights)

If you are wondering what to see at the Louvre in one day, we can help. Everybody has a different Louvre must-see list, but some Louvre artworks appear on everybody’s bucket list.

7.1 Louvre Must-See Guide By the Louvre Museum

The Louvre has a selection of masterpieces  that you can check on its website. This is the Louvre best route if you don’t have particular interests and want to cover the basics. There are 11 artworks in total :

• The Caryatids
• Venus de Milo
• Winged Victory of Samothrace
• Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman (Botticelli)
• La Belle Ferronière (Da Vinci)
• Sainte Anne (Da Vinci)
• Mona Lisa (Da Vinci)
• The Raft of the Medusa (Gérciault)
• Liberty Leading the People (Délacroix)
• The Slaves (Michelangelo)
• Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss (Canova)
• The Glass Pyramid

7.2 Louvre Must-See List by CNN 

To honour the Louvre’s 220th anniversary, CNN asked its users through its Instagram account about the Louvre highlights. Here is the Louvre must-see list by CNN:

• The Winged Victory of Samothrace
• Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci)
• Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss (Canova) is one of the famous Greek Mythology stories .
• The Louvre Building
• The Consecration of Emperor Napoleon and the Coronation of Empress Joséphine on 2 December 1804 (David)
• Venus of Milo
• The Young Martyr (Delaroche) – depicts the sacrifice of a young Christian woman into the Tiber River.
• The Virgin of the Rocks (Da Vinci) – another of Leonardo’s masterworks.
• The Lacemaker (Vermeer) – with this painting, the achievement of Vermeer’s maturity is complete.

7.3 Louvre Highlights (World in Paris’ List)

My Louvre must-see list is a combination of the two lists above plus some other Primitive Italian artworks (Duccio, Cimabue), The Wedding Feast at Cana (Veronese) – sharing the room with the Mona Lisa, – and something by Caravaggio.

On this bucket list, there’s also the oldest exposed item: the statue of Aïn Ghazal , dated around 7000 BC! (Sully Wing, Ground Floor, room #303).

I complete my personal Louvre must-see guide with the most bizarre item exposed, The Hermaphrodite (Sully Wing, Ground Floor Salle des Caryatides #348).

8. Other Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum

8.1 the louvre ticket is a combined ticket.

Few people know that in addition to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of the Louvre, the Louvre ticket gives you to the Musée Eugène Delacroix (6 Rue de Furstenberg, Paris 6) within 48 hours of first use. To visit the Musée Eugène Delacroix for free, you need to purchase and visit the Louvre Museum first.

8.2 Louvre Dress Code: Dress Like an Onion!

What to wear in the Louvre?   There is no Louvre dress code; you can wear what you want when visiting the Louvre. Just keep in mind that you will walk A LOT. Wear comfortable shoes. And dress in layers, like an onion!

Wearing layers is perfect in wintertime, when it is cold outside and warm inside.

8.3 Carry a Power Bank

A power bank is essential if you want to take pictures and navigate the Louvre with your phone all day. The last time I visited, I entered the Louvre at 9.30 a.m., and two hours later, my phone was dead.

Remember that you must show your Louvre ticket whenever you want to access the rooms from the Main Hall, so keeping your phone charged is essential if you have your ticket stored in it. Print out the ticket if you don’t want to carry a power bank.

8.4 Accessibility in the Louvre

The Louvre is accessible to disabled visitors, with various elevators and wheelchair lifts and even a Tactile Gallery. If you have mobility issues, look for the disabled symbols in the Louvre Museum map and adapt your Louvre itinerary accordingly.

At the Glass Pyramid , there’s a line (blue line) for disabled visitors or visitors with mobility issues. These visitors have access to the lift down to the Main Hall.

Walking sticks, folding bags, strollers, baby carriers, and wheelchairs are available free of charge for visitors at the Visitors Assistance Area , located in the Main Hall (level -2), behind the Information Area and next to the Cloakroom. An ID card will be requested as a caution.

8.5 Bring your Snacks and Water

Inside the Louvre are a couple of restaurants, but they are overpriced, and the food is so-so. Bring your snacks, sandwiches, and water if you travel on a budget. There are no restrictions on bringing your refreshments to the Louvre.

Eating inside the Louvre exhibition rooms is forbidden, but there are some benches in the Central Hall (Mezzanine), just before the ticket control, and nobody will bother you if you are eating a sandwich or a snack there.

Once you are done and have some energy back, show your tickets again to return to the exhibition areas. You can drink water wherever you want.

TIP: fans of Angelina Paris tearoom will be happy to know that there is an Angelina inside the Louvre with no line! Angelina Louvre is located in the Richelieu Wing, 1st floor, between the Napoleon III Apartments and Decorative Arts galleries.

8.6 Beware of Pickpockets

I never had any problem when visiting the Louvre, but it seems that pickpockets are an issue in this Museum. Never leave your bag unattended, and if somebody comes to you asking for your email or a donation, ignore him and walk away. It is a scam.

TIP: travel safely; use an anti-theft shoulder bag or an anti-theft backpack

8.7 Visit the Louvre Museum More than Once (If You Can)

If you are interested in the Arts, you will have to revisit the Louvre Museum to enjoy other paintings and sculptures that you missed during the previous visit. Paris is always a good idea , and another visit to the Louvre may be the perfect excuse to come back to Paris 😉

And there you have it, a quick Louvre Museum guide with the best tips for visiting the Louvre Museum. Use these Louvre tips to find your best way to see the Louvre, to get the shortest lines and the best experience inside!

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How to visit the Louvre: 16 tips for a perfect time there

Home » France » How to visit the Louvre: 16 tips for a perfect time there

The Louvre is probably one of the most famous museums in the world. Almost everyone knows the iconic pyramidal construction and it’s a spot visitors to Paris always have on their list. But, the Louvre is also one of the biggest museums in the world, with more than 35,000 works of art and 300 rooms it’s sometimes overwhelming for the people visiting it. So if you’re thinking about how to visit the Louvre and enjoy your time there, fear no more! Here are some tips so you have the perfect visit to the Louvre.

1. First of all, you don’t have to visit the Louvre

Yes, it’s one of the most important museums in the world but if you’re not that into art or you feel like you’d rather visit other important spots in Paris, simply don’t go. Every visitor is different and everyone has different interests. It’s valid to skip places you’re not interested in. Really, if you’re just going so you can get a picture of the Mona Lisa, just skip it, you’ll probably enjoy more doing other things.

2. You won’t see everything, even if you visit it many times

The Louvre is HUGE so you’ll never be able to see everything in one visit (not even in two or three). Accept that you won’t see all of it and stop rushing it. I’ve seen so many people going from room to room, rushing it, trying to see everything. My guess is that they get out of the museum tired and cranky. Remember you’re probably on vacation, enjoy what you can in the time you have, don’t rush it.

3. How to visit the Louvre depends on you

With so many works of art and rooms to offer, the best thing to do is to plan beforehand what do you actually want to see in the Louvre. Before visiting, check the plans of the Louvre. Take your time to check the interactive map (I spent hours there before visiting) on the website of the Louvre. This interactive map will give you a better idea of where everything is. You can also print or save in your computer a map with all the information on the wings and rooms .

To have a general idea of the artworks housed in the Louvre check also the 8 curatorial departments the museum is divided in  Egyptian Antiquities ; Greek, Roman and Etruscan Antiquities ;  Near Eastern Antiquities ; Islamic Art ; Decorative Art ;  Sculpture ; Paintings ; and Drawings & Prints .

4. Know how to get there

Since the Louvre is so famous, there are many ways to get there. You can use public transportation (which is better) or get there by car (there’s an underground place to park on Avenue du Général Lemonier). Most of the times it’s better to use the bus since the metro lines serving the Louvre can be crowded. Also, there are Vélib’ bike stations near the museum.

5. Buy your tickets in advance

If you want to avoid lines, buy your tickets in advance. Go to the official website of the Louvre to buy them. Another option is to have the Paris Pass , which gives you access to several museums around Paris and you can also take the fast track lane.

6. Know where to enter

Most visitors enter the Louvre through the glass pyramid of the museum. Once you’re there, you’ll see signs like these:

This entrance is good if there’s no line but it’s safer to go into the museum through the Carrousel du Louvre . This is an underground shopping mall and you can enter the Louvre near an inverted glass pyramid that’s near the Apple store. There are almost no people in this line so it’s quicker. The Métro line 1 station is connected to the Carrousel du Louvre.

7. If you’re not sure, get a guide

Maybe you’re not that into art but you’re interested in seeing what the Louvre has to offer. In that case, the best option is to get a guide. There are guided tours in English every day at 11 am and 2 pm. These tours will take you to the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and a great selection of masterpieces. Book your “Welcome to the Louvre” tour here  for 12 €.

The audio guide can be frustrating to use, instead, download the official Louvre app for iOS and Android . This is a free app but you can also buy additional information.

8. Get there early or during the evening

Most guides recommend getting to the Louvre super early to beat the crowds… and since most guides do this, most people do this too. It’s true that there are fewer people at 9 am when the Louvre opens but also consider getting there after 3 pm (right after Parisians have their food ). And for the best experience, visit the Louvre for the late-night opening: arrive after 6 pm on Wednesdays or Fridays and enjoy the museum up until 9:45 pm.

9. Wear comfortable clothing

Especially, wear comfy shoes. Avoid bringing big bags or backpacks, you won’t be able to move as freely as you’d want.

10. Respect the art

If you’ve gone to enough museums, you know how this works. Don’t smoke, drink, eat, raise your voice, touch artworks or run inside the museum. You can be asked to walk out in case you don’t follow these rules (and really… why would you even smoke inside the Louvre?).

Taking pictures and videos are permitted in the permanent collection exhibition rooms, don’t use flash or other lighting equipment. In the temporary exhibition rooms, you can’t take photos or videos.

11. Be careful of pickpockets

Since there are many tourists (and people in general) it’s a place where you may get robbed. Just be careful of your belongings and exercise your common sense .

12. Use the bathroom

Before entering the wings there are restrooms, don’t miss the chance to go. Believe me, you wouldn’t want to miss on something just because you want to go to the bathroom… not that it has happened to me.

13. Use the elevators

Save time and energy with these. If you check the map beforehand, you’ll see the elevators marked there so you don’t get lost.

14. Get out of the museum if you need to

The ticket you buy to enter the Louvre is good all day and for multiple entrances. If you’re planning on visiting different wings, a good idea is to exit the wing and cross through the entrance hall to enter other wings It’s faster and you don’t have to walk through the museum again.

15. Enjoy the building itself

The Louvre was originally a fortress but then it became one of the main residences of French kings. In 1793 (!) it became a museum so the building itself it’s worth a look. Don’t miss:

• Apollo Gallery (first floor, room 66) which seems to be covered in gold
• Islamic Galleries (ground floor and lower level) that is one of the newest wings of the Louvre
• Napoleon III Apartments, Richelieu Wing (first floor, rooms 82 to 92) where you can see the high style of living Napoleon had
• Marly Court, Richelieu Wing (ground floor and lower level), a white marble and stone courtyard full of sculptures
• Summer Apartments of Anne of Austria, Denon Wing (ground floor, rooms 22 to 28) where you’ll be able to see breathtaking ceilings commissioned by King Louis XIV in 1655.

16. Visit the Tuileries Garden

A nice place that also the kids will love . These gardens are between the Louvre and the Place de la Concorde. This is the largest and oldest public park in Paris and you’ll love its landscape art, sculptures, and a relaxing vibe. After relaxing there, have a nice hot chocolate in Angelina (a true Parisian thing to do!).

We hope these tips were useful, enjoy your visit to the Louvre!

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Louvre Museum Tickets Price – All you Need to Know

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Do you want to know the best way to get your Louvre Museum tickets? Find out all about tickets price, how to skip the line, who is eligible for discounts, special combos including other attractions and more!

The Louvre Museum is the most visited museum in the world, receiving millions of visitors every year. If you want to see this exceptional palace-turned-gallery on your trip to Paris, getting your tickets will guarantee you can visit the Louvre and discover some of the world’s most famous artworks, from the Venus de Milo to the Mona Lisa.

How much do Louvre Museum tickets cost?

Tickets to enter the world-famous Louvre Museum vary slightly depending on the specific option chosen and whether you wish to enjoy a guided tour as part of your visit in order to obtain additional information and insight.

Fortunately, a visit to the Louvre is a fun and informative day out that does not break the bank.

Louvre Museum standard ticket

Purchasing a standard ticket for the Louvre Museum costs €22 per person for adults.

It should be noted that queues at the entrance are often incredibly long, and so it is advisable to book your ticket in advance.

You can book the ticket on the official website. Sometimes, during public holidays and peak season, the tickets can be sold out. However, there are several websites that still sell Louvre Museum last minute tickets for a slightly higher price (usually €2 to €3 more). You can compare the prices through TourScanner.

• Louvre Museum tickets

Louvre Museum audio guide booking

An audio-guided tour of the Louvre costs an additional €6 per person on the official website of the Louvre. This is purchased as an additional booking to the individual ticket, but can be purchased at the same time.

This is an excellent option for those travelers who wish to receive more information about the exhibits they are viewing without the cost of a guided tour.

• Louvre Museum tickets with audioguide

Louvre Museum guided tour booking

A visit to the Louvre is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and so it makes sense that those with some level of interest in history or the arts would like to enjoy the expertise of a guide whom they can ask questions.

For an in-house guided tour of the Louvre, a booking costs €12. For a combined ticket including entrance to the Louvre and a guided tour, the cost is €31. Guided tours are discounted at €9 for people who are eligible for entry.

You can choose between tours that take you to masterpieces of the Louvre, lesser-known artworks or family-friendly tours. There is also a plethora of guided tour options available that are offered by tour operators outside of the Louvre Museum.

Standard and express tours lead groups of tourists around the museum’s most notable highlights, private tours offer personalized, bespoke options and themed tours offer different perspectives or focus on classic pieces.

Those traveling with children also have the option of doing a family tour which makes the experience more entertaining for little ones with short attention spans.

• Louvre Museum guided tours

Read more about the best Louvre Museum tours .

Who is eligible for discounts?

People of certain ages and occupations are eligible for free entry to the Louvre Museum.

These people are:

• Children and youth under the age of 18
• Residents between the ages of 18 and 25 who live in the EU
• Disabled individuals and their companion
• Job seekers and people on income support
• Journalists
• Teachers of art and art-related subjects
• Teachers at French schools
• Artists affiliated with Maison des Artistes or International Association of Art
• ICOM/ICOMOS card holders

It should be noted that proof of ID and other relevant documentation is required if you fall into the above categories and are trying to receive free Louvre Museum tickets. Visitors will typically be asked to show this upon arrival at the museum.

There is an information desk situated under the pyramid structure at the museum entrance where you can check that you have the right details before getting in line if you have any concerns or uncertainties.

It’s advised that even if you qualify for free admission, you must still book your ticket in advance in order to secure your desired date and time for visiting.

You can check the official information on the Louvre’s own website for reference and additional information.

Is it possible to visit the Louvre Museum for free?

It is possible to visit the Louvre Museum for free on July 14th, which is Bastille Day, when it is open to all visitors. However, keep in mind that if this date falls on a Tuesday it will not be open.

If you do visit on the free visit day, you should try to get to the museum early, and be prepared to fight through any potential crowds.

It is also possible to visit the Tuileries Garden for free. If you’re not able to enter the Louvre, you can admire sculptures that are dotted across the garden at no cost.

What is included in the Louvre Museum ticket? What will you see?

A Louvre Museum ticket includes access to the permanent and temporary collections at the museum, as well as entry to the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix within 48 hours.

“Permanent collection” means exhibitions and displays that are constantly present on site. Occasionally, the museum also hosts temporary collections, which are exhibits that travel the world and stop by the most notable museums.

Many people simply associate the Louvre with the Mona Lisa, and outside of peering at this infamous painting, they are not sure of what else to do while visiting.

Yet, the Louvre has a collection of over 400,000 items, 35,000 of which are on display. With numerous rooms that are divided into different collections across history and geography, you are spoilt for choice.

As wide-ranging as the collections are, the museum itself is fascinating. With your Louvre Museum tickets, you can delve into art from around the world, as well as the former palace’s history.

The Pyramid

One of the most notable things you will see on your visit to the Louvre is the Pyramid. This is the main entrance to the museum and a fascinating contrast to the classical architectural style of the palace. Inaugurated in 1989, the glass structure has since become a symbol recognized around the world.

Underground moat

Did you know it was possible to go underground at the Louvre? The Louvre was originally built as a castle in the 12th century, and today you can go beneath the museum to walk along the path of a former moat.

The Louvre Castle was eventually destroyed to make way for the building of the palace, which eventually became the museum it is known for today.

Paintings of the Louvre

Dating from the 13th to the 19th century, the painting collection displayed at the Louvre contains works from some of the most important artists in European art history.

The collection here displays world-renowned masterpieces by leading Italian, French and Spanish artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and Eugène Delacroix.

While the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the Louvre, there are also many more works by Da Vinci on display. You can also admire famed pieces such as The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Veronese, the largest painting in the Louvre, Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix and The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David.

There are also paintings that formed part of the former palace itself. Head to the Galerie d’Apollon, which was designed for the self-proclaimed “Sun King” Louis XIV, to admire works painted onto the ceilings and walls. Delacroix painted a central ceiling piece here, called Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python.

Sculptures of the Louvre

The Louvre is home to some of the most recognizable and iconic sculptures in the world. One of the most notable is The Winged Victory of Samothrace.

Standing atop the Daru staircase, this sculpture dates back to the 2nd century and was discovered in pieces in Greece in 1863. The Daru staircase is itself a work of art that was constructed in the 19th century.

Another famous figure of the Louvre is Venus de Milo. A masterpiece of Greek sculpture, the Venus de Milo has been on display at the Louvre since 1821.

There are stunning examples of Italian sculpture on display at the Michaelangelo Gallery. Here, you can admire Michaleangelo’s fine work in his sculptures of slave figures. Also displayed here is Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova, one of the most emotive sculptures exhibited at the Louvre.

You can view sculptures designed to be outside in the breathtaking Cour Marly and Cour Puget, where light trickles into the courts through glass ceilings. This illuminates the sculptures, some of which were once housed at Versailles.

Yet, the Louvre is not limited to Greek and Italian sculptures. You can also find a statue head from Easter Island and an iron sculpture of the god Gu from Benin. The oldest object in the Louvre is in fact a 9,000-year-old ʿAin Ghazal statue from Jordan.

The Egyptian collection

The Louvre’s Department of Egyptian Antiquities is home to an impressive collection of 6,000 works spanning centuries. This collection is divided between two floors and reflects 5,000 years of history.

The ancient items on display here range from elaborate sarcophagi to important stone sculptures and obelisks, dating as far back as the late prehistoric era. Introducing visitors to the exhibition is the Great Sphinx of Tanis, a large part-human, part-lion sculpture.

The artifacts displayed on the bottom floor, including hieroglyphs, sarcophagi and the remains of a tomb, provide insight into the lives of ancient Egyptians.

On the top floor, the exhibition is organized in chronological order, taking visitors along a timeline of Egyptian history and bringing ancient Egypt back to life.

Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities

Containing an impressive and incredibly well-preserved selection of marble sculptures (Venus de Milo and The Winged Victory of Samothrace among them), the Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities of the Louvre also include Greek pottery, sarcophagi and fragments of wall paintings.

The expansive Greek and Roman antiquities collection on display at the Louvre dates back to Neolithic times. This exhibit offers great insight into the history of two of the world’s most important ancient civilizations.

Notable pieces on display include statues of Roman emperors, jewelry and marble thrones.

Near Eastern antiquities

The Louvre has an incredible diversity of art, which you can discover in their Near Eastern collection. Consisting of artworks and items from Levant, ancient Iran and Mesopotamia, this collection has some of the oldest items in the Louvre dating back to 7,000 B.C.

One of the most prominent exhibitions you can view is the Palace of Sargon II in Cour Khorsabad. This courtyard features the remains of a palace built by King Sargon II, from a city he attempted to create but died before completing. Admire the towering hybrid creatures that once protected the palace, and a piece featuring Gilgamesh.

Islamic art

In Cour Visconti, a courtyard covered by an undulating roof, you can find a collection of nearly 3,000 works of Islamic art. From intricate Iznik tiles to daggers embedded with jewels, this collection is a beautiful foray into the past.

One of the most notable works here is a brass basin with gold and silver depicting princes and myriad animals. In fact, Louis XIII was baptized in this basin. Other stunning works include a sculpture of a lion with an articulated tail and an Iranian panel of 63 ceramic tiles.

Drawings and prints

The Louvre is not just home to exceptional sculptures and paintings, but original prints and drawings too, from Da Vinci and Michaelangelo to Delacroix and Rembrandt.

This section of the Louvre contains the most fragile pieces, which are very sensitive to light. In fact, these drawings and prints can only be displayed for up to four months at a time, before having to be returned back to darkened storage rooms for at least another five years.

Period rooms

For insight into the lives of royals, you can also visit the period rooms of the Louvre, which recreate the residences of the French monarchs, including Marie Antoinette.

With furniture and objects sourced from Versailles and other mansions and chateaus, this is an accurate representation of the lifestyle of the aristocrats and is worth a visit if you are unable to travel to Versailles itself.

Here, you can see Marie Antoinette’s original travel case, opulent furniture and other intricate decorative items.

Napoleon III Apartments

While the Louvre is most well-known around the world as a museum, it was first built as a castle and fortress before becoming a palace.

Since Francis I demolished the castle and built a palace, subsequent monarchs have added to it to create the expansive buildings seen today. Many of these monarchs had great art collections, and parts of the Louvre first became a museum in the 18th century.

The Louvre continued to play a stately role afterward. Napoleon III expanded the Louvre in the mid-19th century, and the original rooms from this time can still be seen.

Today you can admire the opulent spaces that played host to the Minister of State and his guests, and unique artifacts such as the three-seater armchair and musician’s platform.

French Crown Jewels

Get a further taste for royal life at the Galerie d’Apollon, where you can view the French Crown Jewels. Among these jewels are emerald and diamond pieces that once belonged to Empress Marie Louise, and the Côte-de-Bretagne red spinel, a stone carved into the shape of a dragon and the oldest gem in the Crown Jewel collection.

Another famous gem is the Regent diamond, considered one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world. It has adorned the crowns of the French kings, and was even placed in the sword of Napolean I.

The Galerie d’Apollon in fact served as the inspiration for the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, and also contains the ornamental and detailed hardstone vessels kept by French monarchs.

Tuileries Garden

While the Tuileries Garden is one of the most picturesque sites at the Louvre and in Paris, it is in fact named after the tile factories (tuileries) that once stood in its place.

These gardens have flourished in Paris for 500 years since they were first established, and even survived the fires that burnt down the Tuileries Palace.

The gardens are divided into three sections: the Grand Carré which features ponds and flower beds, the Grand Couvert which is lined with trees, and the Octogone which surrounds the Grand Bassin, a popular pond with locals and tourists alike.

The Tuileries Garden is ideal for kids. They can sail boats on the Grand Bassin, hop on trampolines and even ride a carousel.

The Tuileries are also excellent for viewing art, and for free! Sculptures from classical to modern works dot the gardens, and you can take your time to get up close and admire these pieces.

Musée National Eugène-Delacroix

A Louvre Museum ticket also gives you entry into the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix within 48 hours. This museum was once the apartment of Eugène Delacroix, the famed French painter who created masterpieces such as Liberty Leading the People, which is prominently displayed at the Louvre.

On a visit to the museum, you will not only learn about the artist who was revered in his time, but see many more examples of his work. This is a great add-on to a visit to the Louvre for art fanatics, and provides a well-rounded view of the history of art in France.

How do you book Louvre Museum tickets in advance? How do you skip the line?

You should aim to book your Louvre Museum tickets online in order to avoid having to wait a long time at the entrance.

The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, and queues can get incredibly long during the day – often meaning that you are standing around for hours before you even get inside.

Visitors to the Louvre can either book their tickets online from the official Louvre website up to two months in advance, or from an online travel agency. When booking Louvre Museum tickets, you can opt for either the standard ticket or a guided or audio tour.

Booking in advance also gives you more date and time options to choose from, and is worth the extra cost as it saves you from queuing on losing time on the day.

It is best to compare prices between a few providers before making a purchase, as discounts and deals are sometimes available and can save you some money.

Can you cancel or modify your Louvre Museums tickets?

Standard Louvre Museum tickets cannot be canceled or modified, so you should take care when purchasing your ticket to make sure you are happy with the date and time slot.

Suppose you decide to book a guided tour for the Louvre through another tour operator. In that case, you may be eligible for a refund or the ability to change your ticket, depending on the specific terms held by the provider you chose.

Is the Louvre Museum ticket included in the Paris Pass?

Yes! The Paris Pass includes a Louvre Museum ticket, in addition to access to some of the French capital’s most notable tourist attractions.

This is a good way to save money, since most travelers will indeed visit other sites, such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, while they are in town.

There is also the separate Paris Museums Pass for access just to the museums and monuments. We break down the different passes below.

A general Paris travel pass includes entrance to dozens of attractions around the French capital. Variations of the pass are available depending on budget, specific interests and trip duration.

The Paris Pass often includes a hop-on hop-off bus pass for ease of getting around the main touristic sites, as well as admission to the most notable attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and a Seine river cruise.

It should be noted, however, that the Louvre Museum ticket is only included in the 4- and 6-day Paris Passes. These passes automatically include the 4- and 6-day Paris Museum Passes, which provide you with additional access to museums that are not included in the Paris Pass.

These passes cost from €229 for a 4-day pass and €269 for a 6-day pass.

Paris Museums Pass

If you consider yourself a history buff, an art aficionado or a culture vulture, then the Paris Museums Pass may be right up your street.

The Paris Museums Pass is an excellent choice for people who want to focus their Paris trip on educational experiences and museum visits.

This pass provides travelers with access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris, including the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Centre Pompidou and the Conciergerie.

Options include a 2-day, 4-day and 6-day pass. A 2-day pass costs €62, while a 4-day pass costs €77 and a 6-day pass costs €92.

• Paris Museum Pass

Paris travel passes are a great way to save money during your time in Paris and they work out much cheaper than purchasing the various attraction admissions separately.

People who purchase Paris passes also get additional benefits that are useful to their trips, such as area maps, further discounts in the city and a handy guide to the city. Paris passes can be purchased online or via the various tourist information offices scattered around the city.

What are the Louvre Museum opening hours?

The Louvre Museum is open every day of the week except Tuesdays. The specific daily openings are summarized below:

• Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM
• Friday: 9 AM to 9:45 PM

The last entry to the Louvre is 1 hour before closing time. Rooms and exhibitions begin closing approximately 30 minutes before the museum closure time, so it is advisable to allow enough time for your visit and not arrive too late in the day.

Besides Tuesdays, the Louvre is also closed on Jan. 1, Dec. 25 and May 1.

An important factor to note is that not all museum rooms are open to the public at all times due to renovations. You can check on the official website ahead of time to find out which rooms will be closed during your visit.

The opening times for the Tuileries Garden are also listed below:

• January, February, March, October, November and December: 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
• June, July and August: 7 AM to 11 PM
• April, May and September: 7 AM to 9 PM

You will also be asked to leave the Tuileries Garden 30 minutes before closing time.

Avoid the crowd – When is the best time to visit the Louvre Museum?

If you want to miss the crowds and you plan on visiting the Louvre independently without a tour guide, early mornings or evenings are a good time to go. Just make sure that you allow sufficient time to see everything you want before closing.

Given the size of the Louvre and the number of artworks, it’s impossible to see the whole of the Louvre within a day. The museum recommends visiting the Denon wing if you are short on time to see the most famous artworks, such as the Mona Lisa.

If you have more time to spend at the Louvre, visit the Sully and Richelieu wings to escape the crowds.

You also have the option to participate in a morning or evening guided tour that enables you to skip the majority of the tourist crowds.

Are there any combos available including Louvre Museum tickets and other Paris attractions?

There are a number of ticket combination options available that enable you to visit several Paris attractions at a discounted price. As mentioned, you have the option of the Paris Pass.

However, if you wish to combine a small handful or a pairing of attractions, there are other more affordable options available.

For inspiration on the best attractions to see in Paris, or for guidance on the combination options available, check out our available options for Louvre Museum tickets that are paired with other options such as the Eiffel Tower , a scenic Seine river cruise .

Combined tours are an excellent way of making the most of your time in Paris. With countless attractions in the city, these tours provide a structured way of seeing the best of not just the Louvre Museum, but also the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.

Some tours even combine all three, letting you cruise on the Seine, climb the Eiffel Tower and explore the Louvre, all within a single day!

• Louvre Museum tickets & tours

Looking for more activities? Don’t miss our selection of fun things to do in Paris !

Travel tips

• Check which rooms are scheduled to be open or closed on the desired date of your visit before booking your tickets. You don’t want to arrive at the Louvre and discover you won’t be able to see your favorite artworks.
• With numerous rooms and thousands of artworks, it’s impossible to see the Louvre Museum in a day. Plan what you want to see ahead of time to make sure you make the most of your ticket and time. You can also use the maps and itineraries from the official website to determine how to make your way through the Louvre.
• With a pre-booked ticket, you can enter the Louvre from multiple different entrances. Choose an alternate entrance to the main Pyramid entrance, as this can get packed with people trying to enter.
• Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. The Louvre is the world’s largest museum, and the exhibition spaces alone cover 70,000 square kilometers. While you won’t be covering this distance, you will be standing and walking for much of your visit.
• While the artwork is the main attraction of the Louvre Museum, make a stop at one of the numerous restaurants and cafes for a delectable treat and a comfortable place to sit and relax. On your way out, don’t forget to stop by the gift stores for unique souvenirs from the museum.

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Louvre Museum, Paris: Tips on Buying Skip-the-Line Tickets and Tours

Buy skip-the-line timeslot tickets for the Louvre Museum online or book guided tours for fast-track admission to the Mona Lisa and top art in Paris.

Specific time-slot, skip-the-line reservation tickets are the only sensible way to visit the Louvre Museum in Paris. Lines at the Louvre are notoriously long making the surcharge for these online fast-track tickets a very good bargain and timesaving deal. Guided tours are the fastest way to enter the Louvre Museum. The best time to see the Mona Lisa is to visit the Louvre late afternoon while combination tours with a Seine river cruise are very popular too.

Timeslot reservations are currently essential to visit the Louvre — also for pass holders and visitors qualifying for free admission. On busy days, tickets sell out but tours may still be bookable. The pyramid remains the main admission entrance to the Louvre Museum for individual ticket holders but admission through the Carrousel underground shopping mall entrance is usually faster. A one-way system is in force during busy times and some halls may be closed.

Cheap Tickets for the Louvre Museum in Paris

In 2024, ticket prices for the Louvre Museum in Paris increased sharply to €22 if bought onsite — but timeslot reservations remain obligatory for all visitors. Buying tickets at the museum is only possible at the quietest of times as visitors without advance tickets are last in line at the notoriously long security checkpoint queues. Spending €2 more on advance purchase specific time-slot tickets could save hours of queuing.

Admission to the Louvre Museum in Paris is free for the following but still requires time-slot reservations :

• All visitors younger than 18;
• Visitors 18 to 25 who are residents of the EU and EEA;
• Paris Museum Pass holders;
• All visitors on the first Friday of the month after 18:00 — excluding July and August, and
• All visitors on the first Sunday of the month from October to April and on 14 July . (The free admission times are currently suspended).

Buy Time-Slot Skip-the-Line Tickets for the Louvre Museum

Time-slot reservation tickets give visitors priority at the security checkpoints within a specific half-hour period and thereafter direct admission to the galleries. (If missing the half-hour timeslot, join the queue for visitors without tickets and wait.)

Skip-the-line tickets for the Louvre Museum in Paris are €22 and also available from a variety of resellers such as Tiqets and Get Your Guide . (Resellers may have different availability in peak periods.) These resellers allow tickets to be shown simply on the phone (or printed if preferred), which is great for buying tickets when already traveling and without access to a printer. These usually have more generous cancellation options too and sometimes have savings deals if buying tickets for further sights in Paris in the same transaction.

Avoid resellers that require vouchers to be exchanged for paper tickets at a nearby shop or office –- these add hassle rather than convenience.

Similarly, the official audio guide is available for anyone for rent at the museum (€5), or even better, download a guide or study a good guidebook before visiting – many are available online ranging from free with good visiting tips to premium guides by art experts.

Guided tours give the fastest admission to the Louvre Museum – see more details below.

Combination tickets with other sights are not sold by the Louvre but some resellers offer small discounts if tickets for the Louvre and other sights are bought at the same time (although visits may be several days apart if preferred). Tiqets sell Louvre Museum package deal tickets with for example the Musée d’Orsay , Bourse de Commerce-Pinault Collection , Centre Pompidou , Opera Garnier , Sainte Chapelle , Arc de Triomphe , or the Palace of Versailles .

Best Times to Visit the Louvre Museum in Paris

The Louvre Museum in Paris is open Wednesday to Monday from 9:00 to 18:00, closing at 21:45 on Friday.

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December.

The best times to visit the Louvre are probably Friday evenings or weekdays after 15:00. See the Mona Lisa last – rooms start to close from half an hour before closing.

Another good time to visit the Louvre is first thing in the morning on weekdays – be in the queue at 8:45 rather than 9:30 – and see the Mona Lisa (and other top 10 sights ) first.

The worst time to see the Louvre Museum is any day when admission is free, most weekends (especially long weekends), school vacations, July and August.

No one can see all of the Louvre in a day – even on the busiest day, once past the security line and the scrum at the Mona Lisa, many of the rooms further away from the most famous artworks will be surprisingly quiet and very easy to enjoy in peace.

Louvre Museum Entrances and Queues

The main entrance to the Louvre Museum is via the large glass pyramid in the central courtyard — this entrance is always open for individual travelers. The Carrousel entrance is also again open at busy times and may save some time even for visitors with time-slot reservation tickets. Furthermore, the Carrousel may be in a bland underground shopping mall but it offers protection against rain, wind, and sun.

Other entrances – Passage Richelieu and Porte des Lions are usually not available for individual travelers but often give groups fast access. (The Porte des Lions entrance is sometimes open for individuals at busy times but no bag storage is available.)

Queuing at the entrance to the Louvre Museum is for the security check — entering through the glass pyramid is free and tickets are only required (and checked) once entering the museum galleries. The basic queues follow the following color system in order of preference for admission:

• Blue – visitors needing assistance, e.g. disabled, infirm, pregnant.
• Green – visitors with specific time-slot tickets (almost everyone) — note Paris Museum Pass holders currently must make free time-slot reservations.
• Orange – visitors with tickets
• Yellow – visitors without tickets (a very limited number of tickets are sold daily on-site).

Visitors qualifying for free tickets and Paris Museum Pass holders should also make time-slot reservations at the Louvre — in contrast to so many other sights, these reservations actually are free. Otherwise, wait in the yellow line but may join the other queues if traveling with someone with a paying ticket.

Time-slot tickets are valid for the whole calendar day. If a timeslot is missed, join the orange or yellow queue – if very long, try your luck at the green queue first!

There is little point in turning up too early for time-slot reservations — if pressed for time, the best is to arrive five to ten minutes after the time so the specific queue is already moving. On the hour and half-past ticketholders queue at different lines.

Quick Entry Guided Tours of the Louvre Museum

The quickest way to enter the Louvre Museum is as part of a guided tour. A huge variety of tours are available and in some cases may even be booked on the day of the tour itself. Visitors may stay inside the museum.

A few things to consider when booking Louvre Museum guided tours:

A short 2-hour highlights tour (or even a 90-minute top-ten express tour ) is a good way to enter the museum fast and to see the top famous works. At the end of the tour, visitors may of course stay in the museum until closing time.

Longer 3-hour tours are hardly more expensive than the highlights tours and are better options for visitors less interested in staying behind to explore further on their own (although you may of course remain in the museum).

Private tours cost more but are generally more pleasant and a better option for visitors who may struggle with stairs.  Private tours for families are also a great option when traveling with children.

Some “tours” provide little more than an accompanied walk through security (using the group entrance) and a fast-track shortcut to the Mona Lisa . These add very little value except if it is right at opening time of the museum – rather take a proper guided tour, top-ten highlights if time is pressing, or do it alone. The Mona Lisa room is going to be crowded anyway. Tours not offering fast-track admission, or meeting inside the museum, are also saving at the wrong end.

Combining Tours for the Louvre Museum in Paris

Combining a guided tour of the Louvre Museum with longer Paris day tours and other sights may be a good money-saving deal and a good option for travelers with limited time. However, read the fine print – some “tours” offer little more than tickets and a map.

Popular combination tours recommended by Get Your Guide include for example touring the Louvre and a Seine cruise , the Eiffel Tower and Seine River cruise , a guided tour of the Louvre and the Musée d’Orsay for a lot of top art in a few hours, or the  Palace of Versailles  to include two top Paris sights in a full-day tour.

Seeing the Louvre is also possible on a day trip from London using the Eurostar trains.

About the author:

Henk Bekker

Henk Bekker is a freelance travel writer with over 20 years of experience writing online. He is particularly interested in history, art, and culture. He has lived most of his adult life in Germany, Switzerland, and Denmark. In addition to European-Traveler.com , he also owns a travel website on the Lake Geneva region of Switzerland and maintains statistical websites on car sales and classic car auction prices . Henk holds an MBA from Edinburgh Business School and an MSc in Development Finance from the University of London.

Home » France » Louvre Museum, Paris: Tips on Buying Skip-the-Line Tickets and Tours

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Are 4 Days in Paris Enough?

Cecilia Rinaldi Last Updated: May 29, 2024

Planning your Paris adventure with limited time might seem like a challenge, but don’t worry! We’ve got you covered with an exciting itinerary that ensures you see all the must-visit spots stress-free.

• Bookmark this post for easy access during your visit
• Check out our  guide to Paris  for more planning resources
• Look at our  top Paris tours  for a memorable trip 
• Make sure you’re  staying in the right area of Paris .

4-Day Itinerary in Paris

• Day 1 – Eiffel Tower 
• Day 2 – The Louvre
• Day 3 – Montmartre & Pigalle
• Day 4 – Versailles

Is it Worth Going to Paris for 4 Days?

Short Answer : Yes!

A four-day itinerary means you can get the most out of the more time-consuming attractions, and our advice is to schedule one of those each day , leaving the afternoon free for a number of smaller activities (and a long lunch!).

How much money do you need for 4 days in Paris? 

Considering a 4-day trip to Paris? The cost can vary depending on your preferences and how much you’re willing to spend. Here’s a breakdown of the approximate costs for three different budget levels:

Budget: €600 – €1000

Mid-Range : €800 – €1, 300

Luxury : €1,500 – €2,400+

When is the Best Time of the Year to Visit Paris?

When not to go? The City of Light is beautiful year round but certain times may be more fitting for you. And, it’s important to know how the travel seasons typically fluctuate.

Paris is enjoyable at any time of year, however, to have the best possible experience it’s important to think about what time you want to go and how the different seasons may suit your needs. 

As expected, the summer season, particularly the months of July and August are the busiest time of year as millions of tourists flock to the city to experience its unique culture in nearly perfect weather. If you choose to go during this time, be prepared to be amongst large crowds of both locals and tourists. Many consider the Spring and Fall to be the best seasons for travel to the city, as the weather is still mild and there are typically much less tourists exploring the city at those times. 

Although I must confess, Paris can sprinkle a bit of extra magic in December, twinkling with all its festive Christmas lights, adding an extra dash of romance to the air!

See the Best of Paris in 4 Days

No doubt you’ve seen images of Paris in the movies, from Ratatouille to Emily in Paris , and you have a rough idea of what the streets and the people are like.

Is the real thing just as romantic, just as historic or just as breathtaking as you’ve always imagined? Only time will tell – and by that we mean the time you take to get to know the city. So let’s break down the top four attractions, assuming you’ll tackle one of these per day and spend each afternoon doing something else.

The Eiffel Tower

No trip to Paris is complete without seeing the iconic Eiffel Tower, the city’s unmistakable symbol. Crafted from iron, it was erected as the centerpiece of the 1889 World’s Fair and to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the French Revolution.

The tower offers three visitor levels, with restaurants located on the first and second floors. At the top level, the upper platform stands at 276 meters (906 feet) above the ground, making it the highest observation deck accessible to the public in the European Union.

You can save time by buying online tickets in advance, but you will still need to queue for the lift, although there is also the option of using the stairs. Either way, this will be a time-consuming activity.

In fact, you will probably spend more time admiring this feat of engineering from the surroundings than actually taking in the Eiffel Tower views from its high platforms.

This is because of the inviting green areas at the base of the tower – the Trocadéro and Champ-de-Mars parks, and the nearby terrace – all provide any number of angles for your essential selfie with the Eiffel Tower.

The Louvre Museum

The four floors of the Louvre contain 380,000 objects and 35,000 works of art, making it the world’s largest museum, so this too is worthy of an extended visit.

Aim to see the big draws first – such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace – so that you can deal with queues; and then you can seek out other sections that might be of interest. You might get ideas for what else to see while you’re making your way to these must-see items.Other well-known paintings in the Louvre museum are Eugène Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People , and the agonizing Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault. Looking to delve deeper into the artistic wonders of the Louvre? Check out our curated list featuring the 17 most important works of art at this renowned museum.

Not ready to book a tour? Find out if a Louvre Museums tour is worth it .

Wandering Montmartre and Pigalle

While not as extensive or queue-prone as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, Montmartre is a network of traditional corners, alleyways and steep stairways where you are sure to linger for photo opportunities or just to observe the street life.

The cobbled Rue Saint Rustique is the oldest street in Paris and the first to be reserved for pedestrians. Place du Tertre retains the Bohemian atmosphere in modern day times, with street artists, buskers and charming cafés.

Nobody visits Montmartre without hiking up to the iconic white facade of the Sacré-Coeur Basilica, which rewards the effort with an unmissable panoramic view of the city and, of course, the Eiffel Tower. Have a look at this article for more info on where to stay and what to do in Montmartre.

Then down below Montmartre hill is the racy Pigalle district with world-famous entertainment hotspots like the Moulin Rouge and Folies Bergère music halls.

You can undertake any number of day trips from Paris, such as Disneyland or the garden at Giverny made famous by artist Claude Monet, but no matter how many days you have in Paris the number one side-trip has to be the Palace of Versailles.

It’s only a 15-minute train ride from central Paris, but it gives you a taste of open country outside the French capital, and the splendor of the architecture, furnishings and the geometrically designed gardens will keep you wandering the site for hours.

If you’ve read about the extravagant king Louis XIV, known as the “Sun King”, or the equally colorful Marie-Antoinette, wife of Louis XVI, a visit to the palace will bring to life their stories of high-society functions and excess.

A prime example of such opulence is the Hall of Mirrors, where an array of chandeliers and mirrors augment the lavish decor.

Not ready to book a tour? See if a Versailles tour is worth it .

Make it Up as You Go Along

Even if you take your time over the key attractions we’ve listed, you can only do so much at each site, and you will almost certainly have time for some of these additional ideas, perhaps after lunch.

From almost every Paris landmark there is another iconic monument or attraction within easy walking distance, but the metro is so accessible and affordable that you always have the option of skipping from zone to zone for whichever activity takes your fancy.

Here is a brief list of extra things to consider if you have a spare hour or so:

Museums Galore

• The Centre Pompidou modern art museum – a distinctive building in itself that offers works by Picasso, Matisse, and Kandinsky, as well as fascinating temporary exhibitions.
• Musée Rodin, which showcases classic works by sculptor Auguste Rodin, and also boasts some beautiful gardens.
• Musée d’Orsay, which has a valuable collection of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist masterpieces by the likes of Monet, Renoir, Degas and Van Gogh.
• Musée de l’Orangerie, where you can see Claude Monet’s famous Water Lilies series.

Legendary Churches

Notre Dame and Sacre Coeur are of course essential, but there are many more Paris churches that have just as much history built into them:

• Saint-Sulpice Church in the Saint-Germain-des-Prés district is noteworthy for its fine interior, and gained fame through scenes in the “ Da Vinci Code ” movie.
• Saint-Gervais-et-Saint-Protais church – well worth fitting in while you’re in the Le Marais district.
• Panthéon – a former church that now functions as a mausoleum, housing the tombs of famous French figures, including Voltaire, Rousseau, and Marie Curie.
•  Père Lachaise Cemetery – not so much a church visit , but in this cemetery you can find the graves of luminaries like Jim Morrison, Édith Piaf, Oscar Wilde and Frédéric Chopin.

Where To Stay in Paris

With a city as magnificent as Paris, it can be hard to find the perfect hotel at the perfect price. Explore the best hotels and places to stay in these incredible neighborhoods in Paris.

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15 Best Museums in Paris to Visit with Kids

T his guide lists all the best museums in Paris to visit with kids so that you can keep them educated  and  entertained during your trip to the City of Light. Art museums are listed, sure, but some are more kid-friendly than others. There are also magic, science, and military museums which are the best places to learn about the history of Paris while having a fun family city break.

*Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may receive a commission if you click a link and purchase something we have recommended. Please check out our  disclosure policy  for more details. Thank you for your support!

Top Museums in Paris to Visit with Kids

The French capital city is famous for many reasons. Aside from its delicious pastries and rooftop views, Paris is known for its world-class museums. There are over 130 of them! Many are niche art museums (Musée Marmottan Monet, Musée de l’Orangerie, and Musée Picasso), whereas some are temporary spaces for traveling exhibitions (e.g. Grand Palais and Petit Palais). But not all of them are the best museums in Paris for kids!

Don’t forget to look into the Paris Museum Pass to save money on entrance fees!

1. Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)

Whether you are visiting Paris with kids or without, you cannot skip the most famous museum in France! The Louvre is the largest museum on Earth. It measures 652,300 square feet/73,000 square meters and its impressive collection is second to none.

The Louvre is on the Rue de Rivoli just a short walk from Place de la Concorde and Tuileries Garde. Its exhibition space is a former 14th-century palace. It boasts paintings and sculptures from ancient eras like the Egyptians and Romans through to the Middle Ages up to 1848. Amongst the famous works are Leonardo da Vinci’s  Mona Lisa  and the Greek statue  Venus de Milo .

Visiting the Louvre is cost-effective for families because children have free admission. We recommend families book a tour or at least a skip-the-line ticket. There are too many works by renowned artists that you can’t possibly see everything. Let an expert show you and your kids the most exciting and famous works! 

Our Favorite

Family-friendly louvre tours.

• Context Travel – Louvre Museum Tour for Kids
• With Locals – Louvre at Night Tour with a Local
• Viator – Family-Friendly Skip The Line Private Guided Louvre Tour
• GetYourGuide – Louvre Treasure Hunt for Families

2. Orsay Museum (Musée d’Orsay)

The Musée d’Orsay is also one of the best art museums for kids in Paris to visit. Or for anyone to visit! The museum’s permanent collection and temporary exhibits date from 1848 to 1914.

Most are 19th-century realist and post-impressionist paintings and sculptures by famous artists like Henri Matisse, Vincent Van Gogh, Paul Cézanne, and Edgar Degas. It boasts one of the biggest collections of paintings of water lilies by Claude Monet.

One of the reasons why it’s one of Paris’s most famous museums is the building itself. The museum is housed in a gorgeous train station which originally opened in 1900, meaning it could easily be one of the museum’s exhibits! Kids will also love the huge train station clock by the café which is still in use. 

Follow the audio guide specifically created with young people in mind to make the visit more enjoyable for your children. Don’t forget to book skip-the-line tickets because it’s a popular and busy museum at any given time of year.

3. Fairground Art Museum (Musée des Arts Forains)

Another fun art museum in Paris is the Musée des Arts Forains. Located slightly outside of the city center near Bercy Train Station, Musée des Arts Forains is situated in a former wine cellar full of old fairground rides and props from theaters and concert halls.

Musée des Arts Forains is a small museum that can only be visited by guided tour. Be sure you book in advance ! 

This is an off-the-beaten-path fun museum that is a great experience for older kids who will have fun participating in all the old funfair rides and games. It is recommended for children above five and all kids aged 11 and under benefit from discounted tickets.

4. National Museum of Modern Art at the Pompidou Center (Musée National d’Art Moderne)

If your kids are art lovers, you don’t want to miss the National Modern Art Museum at  Le Centre Pompidou . With over 10,000 works in its permanent and temporary exhibitions, it boasts the largest collection of modern and contemporary art in Europe. 

You’ll find works dating from 1905 to the present day by top artists like Marc Chagall’s  The Fall of Icarus , Frida Kahlo’s  The Frame , and  La Muse  by Pablo Picasso.

Like Musée d’Orsay, one of the best things about visiting the Pompidou Center is the building. Originally opened in 1977, its glass and metal structure resembles brightly-colored arteries feeding into a heart. 

Younger kids will love the  Galerie des Enfants,  a gallery designed for children. Older kids aged 13 – 16 might enjoy Studio 13/16. Because many modern works are brightly colored, children might find the works at the National Museum of Modern Art more engaging and interesting.

5. The Army Museum at Hôtel des Invalides (Musée de l’Armée)

There are tons of museums for kids in Paris that aren’t art galleries! A great place to visit with kids is the Army Museum .

The museum is split into two departments: the old and the modern. The Old Department covers battles and military life between the 13th and 17th centuries while the Modern Department focuses on everything from King Louis XIV’s reign to Napoleon III including the French Revolution.

One of the best things to see in the museum is Emperor Napoleon I’s tomb which is just behind the museum. The building itself, Hôtel des Invalides, is also stunning. It’s a 17th-century Baroque structure built to house wounded military but today it’s a church, government office, and museum.

Children under 18 have free admission and activity books are available for young kids. Storytelling and other guided tours for kids are available from the museum guides but unfortunately, these are only in French.

6. National Museum of the Middle Ages at the Cluny Museum (Musée National du Moyen Âge)

Housed in yet another incredible building, Musée de Cluny is inside a beautiful Gothic mansion with turrets only a short walk from Paris’s iconic Left Bank. It’s one of the best history museums for kids in Paris and covers medieval paintings, crafts, and other decorative arts in the Middle Ages. If you are visiting Paris with teens , this is one of our favorites.

Just some of the permanent exhibits include the Altar from Basel Cathedral, stained glass windows from the church Sainte-Chapelle, and various tapestries. There’s also a medieval-inspired garden and a video guide where kids can learn more about what’s on display.

It’s a popular museum for school groups to visit during the week which is a good sign that it’s the perfect place to take kids! The Cluny Museum is also free for children ages 18 and under.

7. Grévin Wax Museum (Musée Grévin)

Not every museum you visit has to be educational – there are many museums for kids in Paris that are just for fun!

Musée Grévin is a super family-friendly waxwork museum with models of over 200 French people throughout history to the present day. Napoleon, Joan of Arc, and even famous animated figures are all on display. Plus, the baroque building that Musée Grévin is housed in is gorgeous with ornate gold carved ceilings.

Children under five can enter for free and there is a discounted rate for kids under 18. Feel free to interact with the waxworks and take as many photos as you want!

8. National Museum of Natural History (Muséum National d’Histoire Naturelle)

First established as a botanical garden by King Louis XIII in 1636, the National Museum of Natural History is one of the best museums in Paris for kids. It’s housed in a beautiful building in Jardin des Plantes which also boasts a zoo, so it’s a must on any Paris family vacation itinerary!

Not only does the museum house rare plants thanks to the museum’s inception as a botanic garden, but it also displays dozens of dinosaur skeletons, taxidermied mammals and sealife, insects, and more.

The Gallery of Evolution is a separate building but is the  pièce de résistance  of the Natural History Museum complex. It boasts over 7,000 animal species showcasing the evolution and life cycles of various animals.

This museum is the perfect place to take animal-loving children. It’s well worth looking into pac kage passes if you want to visit one or more museums and attractions in Jardin des Plantes. You could save a lot of money!

9. Museum of Magic (Musée de la Magie)

Musée de la Magie is tucked away in the Saint Paul neighborhood across the Seine from Notre Dame Cathedral. It’s part museum, part performance venue. It’s perfect for children who are fascinated by magic or the macabre.

In the museum section of the building, you’ll find costumes, posters, gadgets, and more dating from the 1700s to the present day. Check their program before visiting if your children are interested in performances, workshops, and card trick classes as many of these are specifically run for kids.

It’s not as big or as polished as some of the national museums and art galleries, but that’s its charm (pun intended)! Children up to 12 years old get a reduced entrance fee.

10. CSI Science and Industry Museum (Cité des Sciences et de l’Industrie)

Science museums are awesome and there’s no denying that the CSI is one of the best museums in Paris for kids. It’s the biggest science museum in Europe!

Located in La Villette Park, the Science and Industry Museum is worth a metro ride. It’s a shopping mall with floor after floor of exhibits including an IMAX cinema, robotics section, realistic simulations of house fires and natural disasters, and so much more. 

There are plenty of interactive exhibits and cool displays, so it’s a great place to take kids who couldn’t help touching paintings in art museums! Booking a timed entrance slot is strongly recommended because locals and tourists alike love visiting the CSI museum.

11. Quai Branly Museum (Musée du Quai Branly – Jacques Chirac)

Only a stone’s throw from the Eiffel Tower, the Quai Branly Museum is one of the newer additions to Paris’s museum scene. Named after the street where it stands, this is a National Museum of Arts and Civilization that blends indigenous art with art from around the world.

This is one of the city’s largest museums. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of African Art as well as pieces from the Americas, Asia, and Oceania.

Check out their website for the museum’s program of children’s workshops and family activities during your trip. They often host performances and concerts which are always family-friendly!

12. Fluctuart Center for Urban Art (Centre d’art Urbain)

Do you think that art galleries like the Rodin Museum might not be a good fit for your children? Fluctuart not only fills the brief for being a fresh, modern urban art museum but it’s also housed in a cool structure. You’ll find Fluctuart in a purpose-built glass building on the bank of the River Seine.

Most of the artworks are bright, colorful pop art sculptures and paintings of famous people and political statements. Many works use 3D printing, mixed materials, and other artistic methods you’re unlikely to find in the Louvre! There’s also a café bar with beautiful views of the city.

There are free guided tours and everchanging temporary exhibits alongside the main collection. Even better, the museum is completely and 100% free for everyone!

13. Little Sprouts Art Museum for Children (Le Musée en Herbe)

There are tons of museums for kids in Paris. One of the best is Le Musée en Herbe, an art museum designed for children. If you’re traveling with kids older than toddlers but younger than ten, this is a great place to take them!

Le Musée en Herbe prides itself on interactive artworks based on the work of famous artists. Many works are based on video games and pop culture so they’re sensory and stimulating for little eyes. Children can also construct and deconstruct art made with blocks and tiles.

You can take self-guided or guided tours of Le Musée en Herbe but there are also treasure hunts and puzzles your kids can tackle as they walk around. It really is a perfect museum for kids!

14. Rodin Museum (Musée Rodin)

While a museum entirely dedicated to modern French sculptor Auguste Rodin (1840 – 1917) might not initially strike you as one of the best museums in Paris for kids, there’s a lot here that older kids might appreciate. 

The Rodin Museum is housed in Hôtel Biron, a gorgeous 1730 mansion with beautiful formal gardens which are the perfect place for a quiet walk on a sunny day. Find some of Rodin’s best works like  The Young Mother ,  The Kiss , and  The Thinker . Sculptures can be found in the gardens and inside the museum. 

There aren’t too many works in the permanent collection so your kids hopefully won’t get bored or feel overwhelmed. The gift shop sells small replicas of Rodin’s most famous works of art as well as sculpting kits if your kids are inspired to create art like Rodin too!

15. Discovery Palace (Le Palais de la Découverte)

Just outside of the Grand Palais is a huge science museum. While it specializes in astronomy, there are exhibits in several scientific fields including geoscience, life sciences, maths, computer science and so much more.

Visiting the planetarium is a must-do at Discovery Palace but there are plenty of experiments and activities families will enjoy.

Note that the Discovery Palace is often closed temporarily during the low season. If you are visiting Paris in winter be sure to check the hours. Traveling on a budget? This is a great place to add to your itinerary because both adult and child tickets cost less than €5!

Visit the Best Museums in Paris for Kids on Your Trip

There are so many museums for kids in Paris, it won’t be difficult to find the right place for your family. Some children, especially teens, will appreciate a beautiful museum like the Rodin Museum. Most will love seeing famous works of art at the Louvre in person!

But kids who are less interested in visual art and are more hands-on will enjoy the science, natural history, and magic museums. Hopefully, this guide to the best museums in Paris for kids has given you a ton of inspiration for your next family vacation to the French capital.

The post 15 Best Museums in Paris to Visit with Kids appeared first on Kids Are A Trip™ .

Welcome to the Louvre

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Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday

Guided tours Highlights All publics 12 +

Discover the Mona Lisa , the Winged Victory of Samothrace , the Venus de Milo , and other masterpieces of the Louvre with trained guides who take you through the museum’s most impressive spaces, such as the medieval moat, giving you a fascinating insight into the history of the palace.

Available languages and times

Every day at 9.45 a.m. Additional tour at 2 p.m. on weekends and every Friday at 6 p.m and 7 p.m (Except: 1 March, 5 April, 3 May, 7 June and 26 April)

Every day at 9:45am

Every day at 10 am

Booking conditions

Guided tour - Combined ticket The combined ticket (31 €) allows an admission to the museum at the same access time than the selected Guided tour or Atelier, for visitors who do not benefit of a free admission to the museum. Guided tour - Full price Admission ticket for individual visitor  not included In case of tickets unavailability online, it is mandatory to purchase an admission ticket at spot.) Guided tour - Reduced price For visitors benefiting of a free admission to the museum: under-18s, under-26s living in the European Economic Area, membership card holders (Amis du Louvre, Louvre Mécène, Louvre Professionnels) people with disabilities and people on income support. Complete liste of tarif conditions on:  www.louvre.fr . Free admission with no ticket on presentation of proof of eligibility only.