Louvre Museum

Planning a trip to Paris? It is necessary to see the Louvre Museum. The Louvre, home to the Mona Lisa and thousands of other top-notch pieces of art, offers more than just paintings; it also boasts a rich history, impressive architecture, and excellent dining options. Everything you need to know is covered in this guide, from the top exhibitions and insider tips to make the most of your visit to opening hours and transportation information.

Louvre Museum

Address:75001 Paris, France

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Louvre Museum Opening Hours & Ticket Information

Opening Hours for the Louvre Museum

Understanding the museum's schedule enables you to plan your visit effectively and minimize unnecessary wait times.

Standard business hours:

• Monday through Sunday: 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
• Extended nighttime hours on Friday: 9:00 AM until 9:45 PM
• Closed on Tuesdays
• Final admission: one hour before closing
  

Closures on holidays:

• 1 January/1 May/December 25
• Travel Tip: Late Friday nights are usually less crowded and provide a more leisurely experience.

Louvre Museum Opening Hours Overview:

Louvre Museum Admission Details

Tickets are available for purchase in person at the museum or online in advance.

How to Buy Tickets Online and Onsite

• Online: To select your time slot and avoid waiting, use the official Louvre website or approved partners.
• On-site: The museum sells tickets; however, at busy times, wait times may be very long.

Louvre Museum Ticket Prices & Categories

Louvre Museum Map & Visitor Guide

One of the biggest museums in the world, the Louvre features over 70,000 pieces of art spread across several wings. You can focus on the galleries that most interest you and save time by being aware of the layout.

Louvre Museum Recommended Schedule

How to Handle the Huge Layout of Louvre Museum

There are three primary wings to the Louvre:

• The museum's most well-known pieces, like the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, are housed in the Denon Wing.
• The Napoleon III Apartments, sculptures, and ornamental arts are the main attractions of the Richelieu Wing.
• The Venus de Milo, medieval artifacts, and Egyptian antiquities can all be found at the Sully Wing.

Louvre Museum layout: Key Galleries & Visitor Services

You will have a better experience if you know where the main attractions and necessary facilities are.

Louvre Museum Floor Maps – Highlights by Wing

The three main wings of the Louvre Museum—Richelieu, Sully, and Denon—each have a variety of treasures and cover multiple levels.

Credit: Louvre Museum official

Louvre Museum Floor Maps – Highlights by Wing

How to Get to the Louvre Museum: Directions & Transportation

Credit: istockphoto

The Louvre Museum is conveniently accessible by taxi, public transportation, or foot from its location in the 1st arrondissement of Paris.

Louvre Museum Public Transportation Options: Metro, Bus, and Others

The easiest and most economical method to get to the Louvre Museum is via the Paris Metro and bus system.

Louvre Museum Public Transport Options at a Glance

How to Get to the Louvre Museum by Taxi and Walking

Walking through Paris's historic centre is a fantastic way to see the city if you are staying close by.

Walking

• It's around 20 minutes from Notre-Dame Cathedral along the Seine.
• The Tuileries Garden takes about ten to twelve minutes from the Place de la Concorde.
• About ten minutes from the Musée d'Orsay via Pont Royal
  

Journey-sharing/taxis:

• Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Bolt can drop you off at the Glass Pyramid entrance or the Carrousel du Louvre (an underground shopping complex).
  

Time spent travelling from major locations:

• About 20 to 25 minutes to reach the Eiffel Tower
• Montmartre: about 25 to 30 minutes

Best Time to Visit the Louvre Museum—Avoid the Crowds

Choosing the ideal time and day can greatly enhance your experience at the Louvre Museum.

Best Days and Times for Shorter Queues

During the week:

• Compared to weekends, Mondays and Thursdays are less congested.
• After 6 PM on Fridays: Longer hours and fewer guests.
  

Avoid clear about:

• The museum is closed on Tuesday.
• The busiest periods are on weekends and public holidays.
• Arrive early: You'll be among the first people inside the museum if you arrive 15 to 30 minutes before its 9:00 AM opening time.

Louvre Museum Crowd Levels by Day:

Seasonal Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum

While there are many visitors to the Louvre throughout the year, some months are less busy than others.

• Lines are shorter, and there are fewer visitors during the off-peak months of November through March (save for Christmas and New Year's).
• Shoulder season: mild temperatures and moderate crowds (April to early June, mid-September to October).
• High season (late June–August): packed galleries and long lines, particularly in July.

Seasonal Visitor Trends:

Louvre Museum Must-See Exhibits & Famous Artworks

Louvre Museum: Iconic Masterpieces You Can’t Miss

Some of the most well-known and renowned pieces of art in the world can be found at the Louvre. These items are must-sees for first-time visitors and attract millions of visitors annually:

• The most well-known picture in the world, Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci), is renowned for its mysterious smile. (Level 1, Room 711, Denon Wing)
• An exquisite artwork from ancient Greece that represents victory is called The Winged Victory of Samothrace. (Level 1, Room 703; Denon Wing)
• Among the most well-known sculptures from ancient Greece is Venus de Milo. (Level 0 Room 345, Sully Wing)

Louvre Museum Crowd Levels by Day:

Louvre Museum: Hidden Gems Worth Discovering

The Louvre has many lesser-known gems that await those who delve deeper than the famous pieces:

• One of the best-preserved Egyptian sculptures is The Seated Scribe. (Level 1, Room 635, Sully Wing)
• The dynamic sculptures known as the Marly Horses were first created for Louis XIV's Marly castle. (Room 102, Level -1, Richelieu Wing)
• Johannes Vermeer's exquisite Dutch masterwork, The Lacemaker, depicts ordinary life. (Room 837, Level 2, Richelieu Wing)
• Ebih-II Statue: An outstanding example of Mesopotamian art by Mari. (Room 243, Level 0, Richelieu Wing)
• An interesting antique Roman sculpture is "Sleeping Hermaphroditus." (Level 0, Room 348, Denon Wing)

Top Things at the Louvre Museum: Tours & Activities

Louvre Museum - Audio guides and tours with a guide

Taking a guided tour or using an audio guide is one of the best ways to enjoy the Louvre, regardless matter whether you're a first-time visitor or a seasoned art enthusiast.

Choices consist of:

• Official Tour Guides: These, led by Louvre employees, provide in-depth analyses of the museum's most well-known pieces. accessible in French, English, and other major languages.
• Tours in small groups or privately personalised narration and skip-the-line entrance are common features offered by independent tour operators.
• You may rent audio guides through the Louvre app or in person at the museum. Themed routes (such as "My First Visit" and "Masterpieces in 90 Minutes") are among the features.

Unique Activities and Family Experiences

More than just a museum, the Louvre offers engaging and unforgettable experiences. Excellent for everyone of all ages:

Among the highlights are

• Themed Discovery Trails: For a more focused inquiry, try self-guided trails like "Animals at the Museum" or "Mythology in Art."
• Workshops and activities for kids and families (such as storytelling, drawing, etc.) are held on the weekends or during school breaks.
• Evening Visits: The Louvre is open later on Friday evenings, providing a more tranquil experience.
• Louvre Garden & Cour Napoléon: Spend some time outside, especially if you have children, in between museum visits.

Essential Tips for Visitors to the Louvre Museum

Entry Procedures and Security Inspections

• Strict admission requirements are enforced by the Louvre to guarantee the security of every visitor:
• Large items must be checked in or left outside during the security screening process, which scans all luggage.
• Entry Points: The Pyramid serves as the main entry; lines may be shorter at the Carrousel du Louvre, a subsidiary entrance.
• Timed Entry: If you make a reservation online, you have 30 minutes to get there.
• Closures: On Tuesdays and several public holidays, the museum is closed.

Things to Pack (and Things Not to Pack)

Here is a brief list on what you may and cannot bring into the Louvre to ensure a seamless visit:

Hotels Near Louvre Museum

Nearby cafés, the Seine River, and well-known commercial avenues are all easily accessible from the Louvre Museum, one of Paris's most recognized attractions.

Top-Rated Hotels Within Walking Distance of the Louvre

The following hotels provide a range of amenities and rates and are all within a 5- to 10-minute walk from the museum. Ideal for tourists who like to travel comfortably without sacrificing convenience.

Affordable Lodging & Apartments Close to the Louvre Museum

A short stroll from the museum are a number of reasonably priced places for those on a tight budget. Many provide comfortable studio apartments or rooms with kitchenettes.