About the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, it became a royal palace before transforming into the museum we know today. Home to over 35,000 works including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and countless masterpieces.
📍 Location
1st Arrondissement, Right Bank
🎫 Admission
€22 (free under 18, EU under 26)
⏰ Hours
9 AM - 6 PM (10 PM Wed/Fri)
🚇 Nearest Metro
Palais-Royal, Louvre-Rivoli
💡 Pro Tips
- Buy tickets online to skip entrance queues
- Visit Wednesday or Friday evenings for smaller crowds
- Use Pyramid entrance or less crowded side entrances
- Download the museum app for navigation and audio guide
- Allow minimum 3-4 hours for a meaningful visit
Complete Museum Guide
🎫 Tickets & Entry
Ticket Prices:
- Adults: €17 (online), €15 (on-site)
- Under 18: Free
- EU Residents Under 26: Free
- Disabled + Companion: Free
Free Entry Days:
- First Friday evenings (Oct-Mar) for under 26
- First Sunday of each month (Oct-Mar)
- July 14 (Bastille Day)
Entrance Options:
- Pyramid: Main entrance, can be crowded
- Carrousel du Louvre: Underground, less crowded
- Passage Richelieu: Group entrance
🗺️ Museum Layout
Three Wings:
- Sully Wing: Egyptian, Greek antiquities
- Denon Wing: Mona Lisa, Italian Renaissance
- Richelieu Wing: French paintings, decorative arts
Must-See Highlights:
- Mona Lisa (Denon, Room 711): Da Vinci's masterpiece
- Venus de Milo (Sully): Ancient Greek sculpture
- Winged Victory (Denon): Hellenistic sculpture
- Liberty Leading People (Denon): Delacroix painting
⏰ Best Visiting Times
Less Crowded:
- Wednesday/Friday evenings: Open until 10 PM
- Early morning: 9-10 AM weekdays
- Lunch time: 12-2 PM
- Winter months: November-February
Avoid:
- Tuesday: Museum closed
- Saturday afternoons: Very crowded
- School holidays: Peak tourist times
- First Sunday mornings: Free entry crowds
🎧 Tours & Audio Guides
Audio Guides:
- Nintendo 3DS: €5, interactive tours
- Smartphone app: Free, basic navigation
- Traditional audio: €5, classic commentary
Guided Tours:
- Highlights tours: 1.5 hours, €12
- Private tours: 2-3 hours, €200+
- Themed tours: Specific collections
- Skip-the-line tours: €45-65
Practical Information
🧳 What to Bring
- Valid photo ID required for entry
- Comfortable walking shoes (marble floors)
- Small bag only (large bags not allowed)
- Water bottle (fountains available inside)
- Portable phone charger for app/photos
📸 Photography Rules
- Photography allowed in most areas
- No flash photography permitted
- No selfie sticks or tripods
- Some temporary exhibitions prohibit photos
- Respect barriers around artwork
♿ Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible via Pyramid entrance
- Elevators available to all floors
- Wheelchairs available for loan (free)
- Accessible restrooms on each level
- Tactile tours for visually impaired
🍽️ Dining & Shopping
- Loulou restaurant: Tuileries Garden terrace
- Café Marly: Inside museum, upscale
- Food courts: Carrousel du Louvre
- Gift shops: Multiple locations
- Bookstore: Art books and reproductions
Nearby Attractions
🌳 Tuileries Garden
Distance: Adjacent to museum
Historic garden with sculptures, perfect for a post-museum stroll to Place de la Concorde.
Learn More🏛️ Palais-Royal
Distance: 3-minute walk
Historic palace with beautiful gardens and the famous striped columns art installation.
Learn More🌉 Pont des Arts
Distance: 5-minute walk
Pedestrian bridge over the Seine with beautiful views of the Louvre and Île de la Cité.
Learn More⛪ Sainte-Chapelle
Distance: 10-minute walk
Gothic chapel famous for its stunning stained glass windows depicting biblical scenes.
Learn MoreReady to Explore the Louvre?
Make your visit to the world's greatest art museum seamless with reliable transportation. Skip the hassle of public transport and arrive refreshed and ready to explore 35,000 masterpieces.
Skip the metro crowds • Direct museum access • Expert local drivers