In short
Housed in the former fortress and residence of the kings of France, the Louvre boasts an encyclopedic collection spanning from the earliest civilizations to the mid-nineteenth century. Its iconic glass pyramid in the central courtyard serves as a futuristic gateway to a labyrinth of galleries housing the most iconic works of universal culture.
Period: founded in 1793 (building from the 12th-20th century)
Architecture: Renaissance, Baroque and Modern
Artistic movements: Egyptian, Greek, Parisian art, Italian Renaissance, French and Flemish painting
Best time: Morning opening or Friday evening openings
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Louvre opening hours and prices
Plan your entry by checking up-to-date details on museum time slots and ticket.
Opening hours
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Mon, Thu, Sat, Sun 09:00 - 18:00
Last admission 1 hour before
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Wed, Fri 09:00 - 21:00
Last admission 1 hour before
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Ordinary closures
Every Tuesday, January 1st, May 1st and December 25th
Prices
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EU adults from €22
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NON-EU Adults 32€
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Free entry Free
Minors under 18, disabled people with companion, EU Under 26s
What to see at the Louvre
Let yourself be guided through the monumental rooms to discover the secrets of the most sought-after and admired immortal masterpieces in the world.
Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa Most requested
Admire the world's most famous painting, protected by special glass in the Hall of Estates. Don't forget the other paintings in the room, such as Veronese's Wedding at Cana.
The Venus de Milo
Observe the sublime and eternal perfection of Greek sculpture from the second century BC.
The Nike of Samothrace
Let yourself be struck by the dramatic momentum of the monumental winged statue placed on the Daru staircase.
The Italian Renaissance and the Northern Masters
Explore the great galleries that house absolute masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's Virgin of the Rocks, Antonio Canova's Cupid and Psyche, Georges de La Tour's The Cardsharp and Rembrandt's meticulous portraits.
The large formats of French painting
Admire the colossal walls displaying impressive canvases including The Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault, Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix, and The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David.
The visit to the Louvre
Use this practical summary to understand how to manage people flows and avoid delays between rooms.
Best moment
On Friday evenings starting at six o'clock, when the crowds decrease and the rooms are quieter.
Crowding
Extremely high every day of the year, especially near the Mona Lisa room.
Suitable for children
Yes, the sections dedicated to Egyptian mummies and the great Assyrian lions always capture their attention.
What not to miss
Napoleon III's imposing apartments in the Richelieu wing, rich in velvet and gold.
Type of experience
Monumental, challenging, artistically all-encompassing and full of great emotions.
What to expect
Long walking distances, very crowded rooms and strict security checks at the entrance.
How to visit the Louvre
You can enter the complex by passing through security (not metal detectors) under the Glass Pyramid if you have already booked a guided tour. Once in the underground atrium (Hall Napoléon), divide your route between the three large symmetrical wings called Denon, Sully, and Richelieu.
Need to know
- The palace was built in the twelfth century as a defensive fortress commissioned by King Philip Augustus.
- The museum exhibits approximately thirty-five thousand works of art, which represent only a small portion of the total holdings.
- In 1911, the Mona Lisa was sensationally stolen by an Italian house painter and found two years later.
- The Glass Pyramid, designed by architect Ioh Ming Pei, was inaugurated in 1989 amidst much controversy.
Practical advice
- Pick up a free paper map at the entrance or download the digital map to your phone before you start.
- Avoid the Pyramid entrance if you notice a long queue and try using the underground access of the Carrousel du Louvre.
- Wear the most comfortable sneakers you own: you'll be walking several miles down the halls.
- Bring a bottle of water with you and take breaks on the benches located along the ambulatory of the main rooms.
How to get to the Louvre
The museum occupies an immense area on the right bank of the Seine, in the geographical center of the first arrondissement.
Lines 1 and 7 stop at the Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre station, which has direct underground access.
Châtelet - Les Halles station (RER A, B and D) is about a ten-minute walk west.
Lines 21, 27, 39, 68, 69, 72 and 95 stop right in front of the Pyramid or on the riverbanks.
Cross the Pont des Arts from the left bank or walk along Rue de Rivoli from Place de la Concorde.
Louvre Pyramid 75001
Official Transport Paris
- Paris Metro Map
- RER tickets and fares
- Taxis in Paris (numbers and alternatives)
History of the Louvre
The history of the Louvre is closely tied to that of power in France. In 1190, King Philip Augustus built a fortified castle to protect western Paris from Norman and English raids. In the fourteenth century, King Charles V transformed the fortress into a splendid royal residence, but it was Francis I, during the Renaissance, who ordered the demolition of the old medieval keep to build a grandiose palace on the Italian model, and began collecting the first paintings by masters such as Leonardo da Vinci.
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Each successive sovereign chose to expand the structure by adding wings, galleries, and pavilions. Louis XIV brought a monumental twist with the construction of the eastern colonnade, but when in 1682 he decided to move the entire royal court to the new and immense Palace of Versailles, the Louvre lost its central function. The building became the seat of art academies and a residence for artists, hosting the first periodic public exhibitions known as the famous "Salons."
The turning point came with the French Revolution. In 1793, the National Assembly decreed the palace's transformation into a state-owned public museum, allowing the public to admire collections previously reserved exclusively for the monarchy and the church. During Napoleon Bonaparte's military campaigns, the museum was enriched with thousands of works of art requisitioned from across Europe, temporarily taking the name of Musée Napoléon, before the Congress of Vienna forced the return of much of the stolen goods.
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the complex took on its current form with the completion of the side wings and the definitive removal of the ministerial offices. In 1981, President François Mitterrand launched the "Grand Louvre" project, which led to the complete restoration of the spaces and the construction of the famous transparent pyramid in the main courtyard. Today, the museum combines the historicity of its baroque facades with the efficiency of a contemporary cultural center.
Curiosities about the Louvre
Unusual historical details and little secrets hidden within the walls of the ancient palace of the French kings.
The Underground Fortress: In the museum's basement, under the Sully Wing, you can walk along the old medieval stone moats and observe the base of the massive original keep from 1190.
A nationalist theft: Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa in 1911 by hiding it under his jacket, mistakenly believing that the work had been stolen by Napoleon and should be returned to Italy.
The ghost of the museum: an urban legend metrothat the museum is haunted by the ghost of an old medieval stonecutter called Belphégor, who wanders at night through the rooms of the Egyptian section.
The Guardian King: The large human-headed Assyrian winged bulls in the Khorsabad Hall have a unique feature: they have five legs when viewed sideways, a geometric trick used by ancient sculptors to convey a sense of movement both from the front and from the side.
Louvre Tickets and Tours
Find accommodation near the Louvre
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I bring my travel backpack or do I have to leave it in a luggage storage room?
Small backpacks and personal bags are admitted after being scanned at the metal detector. However, it is strictly forbidden to enter with hiking backpacks, trolleys, suitcases, or large bags exceeding 55 x 35 centimeters. The museum offers a free self-service checkroom under the pyramid where you can deposit small items, but it does not accept bulky luggage.
Is there a specific dress code or can I visit the museum in shorts?
Unlike churches, the Louvre does not enforce strict religious dress codes. You are welcome to enter in shorts, open-toed shoes, a tank top, or casual sportswear. The only formal rule is that you are not allowed to walk around barefoot or shirtless in the exhibition galleries.
What happens if I arrive later than the time printed on my online ticket?
Reservations guarantee access within a thirty-minute grace after the time indicated on the ticket. If you arrive later than this, you lose priority entry and the staff will place you in the queue for visitors without reservations, subject to the maximum capacity of the day rooms, with the real risk of being denied entry.
Can you take close-up videos and photos of the Mona Lisa and other works?
Yes, photography and videography for strictly personal use are permitted in almost all rooms of the museum, including the room housing the Mona Lisa. However, the use of flash, tripods, stabilizers, or selfie sticks remains strictly prohibited for safety reasons and to protect the conservation of the paintings' pigments.
Does the entrance ticket allow me to exit and re-enter the museum on the same day?
No, the Louvre ticket is strictly a single entry. Once you pass through the turnstiles in one of the three wings of the palace and exit themetro , the ticket is invalidated by the electronic systems and cannot be used to re-enter the exhibition halls. If you're looking to save money, consider purchasing a Paris Pass.
Is there a way to avoid the huge crowds that gather in front of the Mona Lisa?
The only way to observe the painting with a shred of tranquility is to book the very first time slot in the morning (9am) and rush directly to the Denon wing before the organized groups arrive, or take advantage of the final hours of the evening openings on Fridays after 7.30pm.
Is the museum entirely wheelchair accessible?
Yes, the entire museum has been upgraded by removing the main architectural barriers. Beneath the pyramid is a futuristic open cylindrical elevator, and along the wings are ramps, lifting platforms, and internal elevators. Manual wheelchairs are also available for free rental in the central atrium upon presentation of an ID.
Are there any bars or restaurants inside the museum where I can have lunch without having to leave?
Yes, within the perimetermetro the galleries are several historic eateries, including the famous Café Mollien (in the Denon Wing, featuring a splendid summer terrace) and Café Richelieu. Furthermore, the atrium below the Pyramid connects directly to the Carrousel du Louvre shopping arcade, full of fast food outlets and international restaurants.
