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how to visit louvre museum

Hours & admission Plan and book your visit Visit | Hours & admission

When to visit, ticket prices, visitors eligible for free admission, memberships, musée du louvre, tuileries garden, musée eugène-delacroix.

  • 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday
  • 9:00 AM to 9:45 PM Friday
  • Closed Tuesday

Last entry: 1 hour before closing

Clearing of rooms: 30 minutes before closing

Public holidays: the Louvre is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday, the museum’s day of closure.

how to visit louvre museum

  • 7:00 AM to 9:00 PM April, May and September
  • 7:00 AM to 11:00 PM June, July and August
  • 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM January, February, March, October, November and December

Visitors will be asked to vacate the premises 30 minutes before closing

how to visit louvre museum

  • 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM Closed on Tuesdays, on 1 January, on 1 May and on 25 December.

Evening opening until 9 p.m. on the first Thursday of the month (except 1 August, closing at 5:30 p.m.) (Last entry 15 minutes before closure)

Louvre-Delacroix combined ticket:  A ticket gives you access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of the Louvre, as well as to the Eugène-Delacroix National Museum the same day and the day after your visit of the Louvre museum.  

Temporary closure : The Musée Delacroix will be closed from 24 to 25 April 2024

See website of Musée National Eugène-Delacroix  

how to visit louvre museum

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A ticket gives you access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions of the Louvre, as well as to the Eugène-Delacroix National Museum the same day and the day after your visit of the Louvre museum.

Tickets may be purchased on site when museum attendance is low (subject to availability).

Admission and exit

Think ahead of everything you would like to do at the museum as any exit is final.

Tours & activities

Payment methods.

The payment methods accepted at the museum ticket office are cash, bank card and 'Chèques-Vacances' holiday vouchers.

how to visit louvre museum

Time-slot bookings are recommended, including for free-admission visitors.

Admission is free for the following visitors:

Under 18s Proof of ID required.

18-25 year-old residents of the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) Proof of ID and residency required.

All visitors On the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August)

Disabled visitors and the person accompanying them Art teachers (plastic arts, archeology, applied arts, architecture and art history only)  Present proof of subject taught.

Artists affiliated to the Maison des Artistes (in France) or the AIAP (Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques) Present valid membership card or certificate.

ICOM and ICOMOS members Present valid membership card.

Journalists Present national or international press card.

Job seekers Present proof of entitlement (dated within the last year or indicating a period of validity).

People on income support Present proof of entitlement (dated within the last year or indicating a period of validity).

Free admission

The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except in July and August) and on 14 July!  

Become a member of the Amis du Louvre

The Amis du Louvre offers a range of membership programmes (youth, solo and duo, family), with prices ranging from €15 to €120.

how to visit louvre museum

More information (in French only)  

The Louvre Museum in Paris: A Complete Guide for Visitors

One of the Globe's Great Artistic Treasuries

how to visit louvre museum

 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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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!

Visit the Louvre

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

Louvre Museum Main Entrance

1. Why Visit the Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum Paris

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.

Louvre Museum Guide, Louvre tips, Louvre Artworks, Skip the Line Louvre, Visit the Louvre, First Trip to Paris, Paris Travel Tips #louvre #louvremuseum #paris

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.

Best-Time-to-Visit-the-Louvre-Museum

» 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

Sold out tickets at Louvre Museum

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 .

Louvre Map - Best Louvre Entrances 2019

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

Louvre 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!

Glass Pyramid Lines

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.

how to visit louvre museum

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.

how to visit louvre museum

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

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)

Best way to see the Louvre

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 

Best Louvre Artwork

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)

French sculpture at Louvre

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).

Top Louvre Artwork

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

how to visit louvre museum

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 😉

Louvre Paris

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Visiting the Louvre Museum: 15 Top Highlights

Written by Lisa Alexander Updated Dec 26, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

A tour through the Louvre Museum's extensive galleries provides a crash course in Western Civilization's finest art. Some of the world's most famous masterpieces are on display here, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and the Vénus de Milo .

A large number of the museum's paintings were owned by the various kings who lived in the Louvre when it was a royal residence; other pieces were acquired through France's treaties with the Vatican and the Venetian Republic. The collection was further enriched by the spoils of Napoléon I.

Louvre Museum

The world's largest museum, the Musée du Louvre packs thousands of artworks into a 73,000-square-meter exhibition space in three sections: the Denon, Richelieu, and Sully wings, in a magnificent building that was once the palace of French kings.

Each wing has more than 70 rooms displaying paintings and objects of art, plus there are enormous halls filled with sculptures. It's impossible to see the entire collection in one day or even in a week.

Visiting the Louvre is one of the essential things to do in Paris. However, most tourists need some guidance to really appreciate the art and its rich cultural heritage. This checklist of 15 Louvre "highlights" includes historical context and in-depth insights about each piece to enhance your experience.

See also: Where to Stay near the Louvre Museum in Paris

1. Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci (Denon Wing, Room 711)

2. les noces de cana by véronèse (denon wing, room 711), 3. vénus de milo (sully wing, room 345), 4. victoire de samothrace (denon wing, room 703), 5. le sacre de l'empereur napoléon ier by jacques-louis david (denon wing, room 702), 6. la liberté guidant le peuple (denon wing, room 700), 7. psyché ranimée par le baiser de l'amour by antonio canova (denon wing, room 403), 8. louis xiv by hyacinthe rigaud (sully wing, room 916), 9. la dentellière by jan vermeer (richelieu wing, room 837), 10. chevaux de marly (richelieu wing, cour marly), 11. le couronnement de la vierge (denon wing, room 708), 12. le tricheur à l'as de carreau by georges de la tour (sully wing, room 912), 13. portrait of the artist holding a thistle by albrecht dürer (richelieu wing, room 101), 14. captif sculptures by michelangelo (denon wing, room 403), 15. french crown jewels (galerie d'apollon), exploring the louvre palace, the grand entrance: pyramid du louvre, the medieval louvre: foundations of the palace, a magnificent royal palace fit for the kings of france, where to stay near the louvre museum in paris, how to make the most of your visit to the louvre museum.

Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci (Denon Wing, Room 6)

Scholars debate what makes the Mona Lisa one of the most renowned paintings in the world. One explanation is the sense of mystery.

Although the identity of the sitter is unclear, the woman portrayed is thought to be Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo (a silk merchant in Florence, Italy). For this reason, the painting's Italian name is La Gioconda , which translates to La Joconde in French.

Another explanation for the painting's celebrity is the subject's enigmatic smile, possibly symbolizing the ideal of happiness. Her captivating expression and sidewards glance have a way of enchanting viewers. Observers notice how the Mona Lisa appears to be watching them from wherever they stand in the room.

Many visitors come to the Louvre just to see this one painting, certainly the museum's most famous work of art. Created by Leonardo da Vinci around 1503, the small painting in the Salle des États (Room 711) is covered with an extra layer of plexiglass and is usually surrounded by a crowd of tourists trying to a get a glimpse of it.

To gain a better appreciation of this painting, it's a good idea to take a small-group walking tour of the Louvre led by a knowledgable guide. This three-hour tour allows participants to skip the museum's long entrance lines and head straight to the must-see works, making the most of the time spent at the museum.

Les Noces de Cana by Veronese (Denon Wing, Room 711)

Paolo Caliari (known as Véronèse) created Les Noces de Cana in 1563, commissioned by the Benedictine San Giorgio Maggiore Monastery in Venice.

The Louvre Museum's largest painting, this immense six-meter-tall by 10-meter-wide canvas covers an entire wall of the Louvre gallery from floor to ceiling. Originally, it was intended to decorate the refectory of the Venetian monastery.

Les Noces de Cana ( The Wedding Feast at Cana ) is a masterful composition that portrays the biblical wedding scene at Cana in the Galilee, the event according to John the Apostle when Christ performs the miracle of turning water into wine.

The remarkable composition of more than 100 figures somehow manages to look harmonious rather than crowded. The bride and groom are seated at the end of the banquet table on the left-hand side. Christ is at the center surrounded by his disciples. Contemporary Venetians mingle with biblical personages in Oriental turbans.

The artist's astounding attention to detail is seen in the realistic minutia, such as the draping of the splendid Venetian costumes. The action-packed scene is full of surprises: a dwarf holding a parakeet (lower lefthand side), little birds, friendly dogs, and an amusing cat (lower righthand side) that seems to be an uninvited guest as it scratches its claws on a water pitcher.

Vénus de Milo (Sully Wing, Room 345)

The Vénus de Milo stands in the Louvre's Galerie des Antiques , in the Salle de la Vénus de Milo (Room 345), a sumptuous 19th-century gallery that is clad in red marble.

This alluring statue, also known as Aphrodite, represents the Greek ideal of beauty. Created around 100 BC, the goddess statue reflects the stylization of the late Hellenistic Period.

The work has mesmerized the art world ever since it was discovered on Greece's Island of Milos ("Melos" in ancient Greek) in 1820 and was presented to Louis XVIII.

What makes this statue a masterwork is the balanced composition, the sense of space, and the way the drapery falls over the goddess' hips. Unfortunately the missing pieces of marble make it difficult to fully identify and understand the statue.

Art historians have tried to imagine how her arms were positioned and where she might have been standing. Some believe that she may have held an apple, a crown, or a shield. Another hypothesis is that Venus held a mirror in one hand to admire her reflection.

Victoire de Samothrace (Denon Wing, Room 703)

A masterpiece of Hellenistic art, this monumental classical sculpture is breathtaking to behold. Presented in its own space at the top of the grand Daru Staircase , the Victoire de Samothrace ( Winged Victory ) has a way of captivating visitors when they turn the corner and catch a glimpse of the statue.

Perched in a courageous stance on the prow of a ship, the winged Goddess of Victory (Nike) leads a vessel sailing through heady gusts of wind. Created around 190 BC, the winged Goddess of Victory was found on the island of Samothrace and is thought to be a religious offering by the people of Rhodes in commemoration of a naval victory.

The figure of the Goddess is portrayed so accurately that one can hardly believe it was crafted 2,000 years before photography and 3D graphic modeling. The spiraling composition creates the effect of vigorous movement, with the wings held back and the right leg placed in front of the left.

Thanks to the subtly rendered sculptural details, the Goddess appears to be drenched in water. Her clothing is given the realistic effect of light fabric that clings to her hips and legs, revealing the shape of the nude female body. At the same time, a breeze causes the goddess' draped tunic to billow, which lends a stunning sense of realism.

Le Sacre de l'Empereur Napoléon Ier by Jacques-Louis David (Denon Wing, Room 702)

Napoléon I commissioned Jacques-Louis David to create this majestic painting as a document of his coronation ceremony. Napoléon proclaimed himself Emperor in May 1804 after a coup d'état following his victorious military campaigns in Italy and Egypt.

The coronation ceremony was conducted according to the protocol of crowning a king in the French monarchic tradition. However Napoléon crowned himself while facing the congregation instead of being crowned by the Pope, to make a statement about his independence from the church.

Jacques-Louis David attended the coronation ceremony of December 2, 1804 at the Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris . From 1805 to 1808, the artist created this impeccably detailed and lifelike painting of the event complete with 146 people in attendance.

The Coronation of Empereur Napoléon I spans an oversized six-meter by 10-meter canvas; its grand proportions give viewers the impression of actually being present at the coronation ceremony. Upon viewing the painting, Napoléon is said to have made a statement in reference to its grandeur and realism: "One can walk through this painting! "

David depicts the ceremony accurately while complying with Napoléon's request to convey a symbolic and political message, glorifying the event to give it a unique place in history.

Les Salles Rouges (Red Rooms) display The Coronation of Empereur Napoléon I and other prestigious historical paintings, such as Madame Récamier by Jacques-Louis David, Le Radeau de la Méduse ( The Raft of the Medusa ) by Théodore Géricault, Mademoiselle Rivière by Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres, La Liberté Guidant le Peuple ( Liberty Guiding the People ), and La Mort de Sardanapale ( Death of Sardanapalus ) by Eugène Delacroix.

La Liberté Guidant le Peuple by Eugène Delacroix (Denon Wing, Room 700)

This evocative painting illustrates one of the most important events in French history, the Parisian uprising of July 1830, when the Republicans of France led a revolt against the government of the Second Constitution.

Delacroix intended La Liberté Guidant le Peuple ( Liberty Guiding the People ) to highlight the values of the Revolution of 1789 and the ideal of popular sovereignty. The creation of this piece was a patriotic act, as Delacroix believed passionately in the Republican cause.

The allegorical figure of Liberty is depicted as a strong and inspiring bare-breasted woman (nudity is commonplace in French historical paintings), suggesting lineage to a classical Greek goddess. Evidence of her determination and fighting spirit, she holds a French flag in one hand and an infantry gun in the other.

The figure of Liberty emerges victoriously from a dark, smoky background and appears to be bathed in light, symbolic of her moral illumination. Delacroix brings a deeply emotional, romantic interpretation to the painting and at the same time a realistic quality.

Psyché Ranimée par le Baiser de l'Amour by Antonio Canova (Denon Wing, Room 403)

Of all the sculptures in the sunlight-filled Galerie Michel-Ange (Room 403), this one is the most charmingly rendered. This sculpture, Psyche Revived by the Kiss of Love (also titled L'Amour et Psyché in French) was inspired by the mythological story of Cupid and Psyche from Ovid's Metamorphoses .

In this story, Cupid sees Psyche who has fallen into a spell of sleep after breathing in a forbidden potion. Cupid gently approaches Psyche, about to kiss her. Then Psyche wakes up and languidly embraces Cupid. This is the tender moment captured in this enchanting masterpiece.

Antonio Canova created a piece that is full of emotion, typical of Romantic Neoclassical sculpture. At the same time, the sculpture is so precise that the figures seem lifelike.

Notice the fine sculpting of Cupid's wings, the quiver full of arrows, and the ornamentation on the amphora. Admire the way Cupid holds Psyche's neck and the curve of her hip as she turns to embrace him, all shown with a perfect sense of proportion and movement.

Meticulously chiseled features and anatomical details like Psyche's belly button and graceful toes add a sense of authenticity, creating an impression that the figures are made of flesh rather than marble.

Portrait of Louis XIV

This emblematic painting of the "Sun King" was created in 1701 by the French royal portrait artist Hyacinthe Rigaud. The painting was originally intended to be a gift for Philip V of Spain, however the French Court liked it so much, the painting was never sent to the Spanish King.

Rendered in exquisite detail, the portrait represents Louis XIV as the ultimate image of absolute power. The opulent background and the King's impressive coronation robes symbolize his greatness. Louis XIV was 63 years old when this portrait was painted.

Notice the richness of the king's robe, which is embroidered with fleurs-de-lys (lily flowers), the royal symbol. In the background, a crown rests beside the king on a stool. This painting was designed to remind the viewer of Louis XIV's authority.

La Dentellière by Jan Vermeer (Richelieu Wing, Room 837)

Renoir considered Jan Vermeer's painting of The Lacemaker to be one of the most beautiful paintings in the world. La Dentellière was created by Vermeer around 1669 or 1670.

The motif of lace was often used in 17th-century Dutch paintings to symbolize traditional female virtues. In the forefront of the painting is a little book that is most likely a Bible, which gives the piece another layer of moral and religious suggestion.

Vermeer loved to paint scenes of everyday life and was skilled at depicting familiar objects in an appealing way. The young woman (most likely Vermeer's wife) is shown intently focused on her painstaking work of lacemaking.

The thread between the woman's fingers and the pins and bobbin form the central focal point of the piece. The objects become more blurred in the background, mimicking the human eye's natural optical field.

Vincent van Gogh praised this painting for its harmonious blend of colors, seen in the vibrant sewing cushion and multi-hued yarns.

Chevaux de Marly (Richelieu Wing, Cour Marly)

The Chevaux de Marly (Marly Horses) was commissioned by King Louis XIV for the Château de Marly horse pond. Created between 1739 and 1745, this monumental Carrara marble sculpture is a larger-than-life image of two horses restrained by grooms.

The sculptor, Guillame Coustou, was likely inspired by the ancient Roman statues found in front of the Quirinal Palace in Rome, which show demigods Castor and Pollux endeavoring to tame their horses. Alluding to this classical reference, the Marly Horses symbolize the struggle between man and nature (represented by an untamed horse).

Le Couronnement de la Vierge (Denon Wing, Room 708)

Displayed in the Louvre's lovely Salon Carré (Room 708), the Coronation of the Virgin is one of the Louvre's masterpieces of medieval painting. Guido di Pietro, known as Fra Angelico, created this work from 1430 to 1432 and it was originally used as an altarpiece for the convent of San Domenico in Fiesole outside Florence.

The theme of the Coronation of the Virgin was very commonly represented in art during the 13th century, and this example shows exceptional delicacy and artistic brilliance.

The sumptuous painting illustrates the Assumption of the Virgin Mary as she is welcomed into heaven and crowned by Christ, who is shown seated high above the multitude of onlookers on a throne accessed by marble steps.

The scene is rendered with incredible detail and in luminous hues. For instance, Fra Angelico painted the nine steps of marble in different colors. An abundance of gilding is found throughout, in Christ's throne, as well as the angels' halos, which seems to suggest a royal court in heaven.

Le Tricheur à l'As de Carreau by Georges de La Tour (Sully Wing, Room 912)

Created around 1635, The Cheat with the Ace of Diamonds finds a place of honor among France's 17th-century Peintres de la Réalité (Painters of Reality). Georges de La Tour's signature style of realism brings to life the scene of four people gathered around a table while playing cards.

The painting's intricate details and subtle expression of emotions lend authenticity, allowing viewers to feel like spectators of a real card game. As spectators, we have a sense of curiosity and anticipation about what will happen next.

We watch as the subject of the painting, a flamboyantly dressed feather-capped young man, is about to be duped. In an unusual composition, the subject is depicted at the far right (rather than the center) of the painting, in a space apart from the others.

Meanwhile the other group of three people seem to share a secret, evidenced by their sidewards eye movements. The woman with the low-cut neckline draws the viewer's attention with her sneaky glance. She is silently communicating with the player (the cheat) on the left side of the painting who discreetly pulls an ace of diamonds card from under his belt, which will be the "winning" card.

An intriguing aspect of this painting: The cheat appears to peer out towards the viewer, as if he knows he's being observed. As viewers, we catch the cheat and his cohorts in their act of wrong-doing. George de La Tour uses this scene to tell us a moral drama about the sins of lust, liquor, and gambling.

Portrait of the Artist Holding a Thistle by Albrecht Dürer (Richelieu Wing, Room 101)

A striking painting, the Portrait de l'Artiste Tenant un Chardon was one of the first stand-alone self-portraits in European painting. Albrecht Dürer created this portrait of himself in 1493 when he was only twenty-two years old. The artist is holding a thistle, which either represents fidelity to his fiancée or an allusion to Christ's Passion.

The composition of a three-quarter length bust was typical of portrait painting in the 16th century. Viewers can detect some awkwardness in the portrait, because the artist was working from his reflection in the mirror.

Captif Sculptures by Michelangelo (Denon Wing, Room 403)

These expressive statues are masterworks by Michelangelo, showing his genius of technical ability and emotional depth. The pair of sculptures, L'Esclave Mourant ( The Dying Slave ) and the L'Esclave Rebelle ( The Rebellious Slave ), stands in the Galerie Michel-Ange (Room 403), a spacious gallery with large windows that allow natural light to brighten the space.

Both are chained and shown in the nude to emphasize their vulnerability, but the two slaves convey very different emotions. The Dying Slave appears to be in a deep eternal sleep, while the Rebellious Slave is distorted in a violent struggle. Some art historians have interpreted the sculptures to symbolize the human soul that is shackled by the body.

Michelangelo began work on the statues in 1513 as part of a monumental project to create a tomb of Pope Julius II. However, the project was delayed and eventually discarded. This is one possible reason why the statues are unfinished, with chisel marks still visible.

Another explanation is that Michelangelo felt he had achieved the maximum artistic potential from the raw block of marble. In fact, there is something poetic about the image of slaves waiting to be liberated from the marble.

French crown jewels (Galerie d'Apollon)

The ultimate symbol of grandeur and sovereignty, France's coronation crowns reflected the wealth and power of the French monarchs, as well as the glory of Emperor Napoléon I and Napoléon III. The crowns were custom made for each king and embellished with precious jewels.

Be sure to see the Couronne de Louis XV (Crown of Louis XV), which features two rows of pearls and eight gems (emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and topazes) alternating with sparkling diamonds. The arches of the crown are decorated with diamond fleurs-de-lys (lily flowers), the emblem of French monarchs since the 12th century.

For those who like bling, the 140-carat "le Régent" (the "Regent" diamond ) is not to be missed. This dazzling gem is one of the finest, most brilliant diamonds in the world, prized for its perfection.

A piece that belonged to the eldest daughter (and only surviving child) of Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette, the Diadème de la Duchesse d'Angoulême (Duchesse of Angoulême's Tiara) is a dazzling piece decorated with diamonds and emeralds.

The majestic Couronne de l'Impératrice Eugénie (Empress Eugénie's Crown) exemplifies lavish Second Empire jewelry. Imperial jeweler Alexandre-Gabriel Lemonnier created this glittering crown with 2,480 diamonds set in the form of palmettes and flanked by 56 precious emeralds.

The crown jewels are displayed in the recently refurbished Galerie d'Apollon (Denon Wing, Room 705), which reopened in 2020. This extravagantly adorned gallery was created in the 17th century by Louis Le Vau, architect of the Château de Versailles , and Charles Le Brun, official painter to Louis XIV. The gallery's splendid decor rivals the beauty of the gems held within the exhibits. In the 19th century, Eugène Delacroix completed the gallery's central ceiling painting.

The Grand Entrance: Pyramid du Louvre

The main entrance to the Louvre is in the central courtyard at the Pyramid du Louvre. Designed by architect Ieoh Ming Pei and opened in 1989, this iconic 22-meter-high pyramid is constructed from 675 panes of glass, flooding the interior space with natural light.

The Pyramid allows access to the Cour Napoléon, where the ticket office and information desk are located.

There are quicker ways to enter the museum (from the Carrousel du Louvre or Rue de Rivoli entrance), but the Glass Pyramid is the most dramatic entrance to the Louvre's fabulous collection of fine art.

The Medieval Louvre: Foundations of the Palace

The original foundations of the Louvre are found in the Medieval Louvre section, entered through the Pyramid and the escalator to the Sully wing. This underground area reveals the medieval fortress that was created for King Philippe Auguste in 1190.

Visitors can see the ancient foundations, the remnants of the medieval moat, and the dungeons, as well as the Salle Saint-Louis (built between 1230 and 1240), the only remaining vestige of the medieval fortress' main building.

Several rooms in the Medieval Louvre section display documents, models, and paintings related to the history of the Louvre.

Napoléon III Apartments

The Louvre's somber medieval fortress was enhanced under Charles V, Charles VI, and Henri II, and transformed into a much more impressive and luxurious royal palace by Louis XIII and Louis XIV. The Salle des Caryatides is a grandiose reception hall created for King Henri II.

The Chambre de Parade du Roi (Room 25 of the Egyptian Antiquities department) is the bedroom where Charles IX and Henri III greeted the court every morning. The Salle des Sept-Cheminées (Room 74 of the Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities department) was the royal apartment of Louis XIV until he moved his palace to Versailles.

Even after the Louvre was no longer a royal palace, it was used for official purposes by Napoléon III. Visitors can also see the opulent Grand Salon and Dining Rooms of the Appartements Napoléon III (Richelieu Wing, Room 544). Exemplifying Second Empire style, the lavish decor features sparkling chandeliers, gilded moldings, decorative stucco work, silk curtains, velvet furnishings, and gorgeous ornately painted ceilings.

Another must-see room in the museum is the Galerie d'Apollon . This glorious reception hall has a spectacular ceiling painting that was begun by Charles Le Brun, paying homage to Louis XIV, the Sun King. The portion not completed by Le Brun, the breathtaking central panel depicting Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python was painted by Delacroix in 1851.

The Musée du Louvre is found in the center of Paris in the 1st arrondissement, which is a convenient area for tourists to stay. We recommend these highly rated hotels within walking distance of the Louvre Museum:

  • Mandarin Oriental Paris : This five-star hotel offers sumptuous accommodations and exceptional amenities: an upscale spa, peaceful garden, a well-equipped fitness center, several fine-dining restaurants, and a fancy pâtisserie shop. The location on the Rue Saint-Honoré is a short walk to the Jardin des Tuileries and to many haute-couture boutiques.
  • Hôtel La Tamise - Esprit de France : Steps away from the Rue de Rivoli and the Jardin des Tuileries, this mid-range boutique hotel provides well-appointed rooms with comfortable beds. Amenities include a concierge, restaurant, and breakfast buffet.
  • Hôtel Odyssey by Elegancia : Near the Jardin du Palais Royal and about a 10-minute walk to the Louvre, this three-star hotel has relatively affordable rates. The hotel's compact guest rooms (best suited for solo travelers) feature trendy ultra-modern decor.
  • Hôtel Opera Maintenon : This budget two-star hotel delivers an excellent value for the price. Nestled on a quiet street in a historic building, the hotel is within walking distance of the Louvre, the Opera House, and the Galeries Lafayette. Amenities include a 24-hour front desk, concierge, and a traditional French breakfast (for an additional charge).
  • Hours: The Louvre Museum is open Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 9am until 6pm. The latest entry is 5pm. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays.
  • Guided Tours: To make sure you see all the museum's essential highlights, try the Skip the Line: Louvre Museum Walking Tour . This three-hour tour includes headsets, so that you can easily hear your guide explain the history and artistic significance of the museum's masterpieces, from its priceless paintings to the crown jewels.
  • Tickets: The main entrance and ticket office is at the Pyramid du Louvre, but this also has the longest lines. Entrances at the Carrousel du Louvre from the Métro station or the Porte des Lions avoid the long lines. You can buy tickets in advance , but you must pick them up in person at the Glass Pyramid entrance (this does not allow you to skip the lines).
  • Paris Museum Pass: The Paris Museum Pass allows unlimited, free admission to the Louvre Museum, as well as over 50 other museums and monuments. Visitors can choose a 2-day pass or a 4-day pass , depending on the length of their stay in Paris. With this pass, you can skip the entry line at the Louvre.
  • Resources: The Louvre website also has a section devoted to practical information about the museum's hours of admission, room closures, and amenities.
  • Food and Drink: The Louvre has over a dozen options (cafés, restaurants, and snack bars) for visitors in search of refreshments. The Café Richelieu treats guests to a refined menu and decadent hot chocolate supplied by the legendary Angelina tearoom. In an elegant pavilion of the Denon wing near the French paintings gallery, Le Café Mollien serves a simple lunch menu. The most picturesque setting is found at the open-air Terrasse de Pomone, a fashionable crêperie and brasserie in the Tuileries Garden. Gourmet snacks are available at Paul, a traditional French bakery in the Carrousel Garden. Tucked away within the arcades of the Louvre, the Café Marly is an upscale fine-dining restaurant.
  • Getting to the Louvre: The Metro stop is at Palais-Royal-Musée du Louvre station or bus numbers 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, and 95 stop in front of the Pyramid du Louvre. The most convenient parking is at the underground garage on Avenue du Général Lemonnier, open daily from 7am to 11pm.

Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris

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