If you’re planning a trip to Paris, one of the things you absolutely must do is visit the world-renowned Louvre Museum. Home to some of the most iconic works of art in history, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, the Louvre is a must-see for any art lover. Keeping in mind that this place is always full of tourists, to check out some tips for visiting the Louvre museum will not be redundant.
But even if you’re not an art aficionado, the sheer scale and history of the Louvre make it worth a visit. Located in the heart of Paris in the former royal palace of France, the Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world, with over 35,000 works of art on display.
In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know before visiting the Louvre, from ticket prices and tour options to things to see and do inside the museum. By the end, you’ll be ready to plan your perfect visit to one of the most famous museums in the world.
The Louvre Museum General Info
- Address – Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
- Opening Hours – Mon, Wed, Thu, Fri, Sat and Sun – from 9 AM to 6 PM. Tuesday – Closed
- Official website – louvre.fr
- Phone – +33 1 40 20 50 50
- Ticket Prices – if you purchase online – 17 EUR
- Buy timed-entrance Louvre museum ticket (skip-the-line)
How to Get to the Louvre Museum
By Metro
Line 1 and 7 (Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre)
Line 14 (Pyramides)
By Bus
Buses that go to the Louvre Museum 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 67, 68, 69, 72, 81, 85, 95
By Car
You can leave your car on underground parking which is located at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier, opening hours – from 7 AM till 11 PM. Then you can use Galerie du Carrousel entrance to enter The Museum.
A Bit Of The Louvre Museum History
The Louvre Museum has a long and storied history that goes back centuries. Originally built in the 12th century as a fortress by King Philip II, it was first converted into a royal palace in the 16th century by King Francis I.
The palace served as the primary residence of the French monarchy for over 200 years until Louis XIV moved his court to the Palace of Versailles in 1682. After that, the Louvre was used as a museum off and on until it officially opened as the Musée du Louvre in 1793.
Today, the Louvre is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Paris, with over 10 million visitors each year.
Louve Museum Tickets and Tours – Prices, Options, Where To Buy
One of the most important tips for visting the Louvre museum you should consider is that you’ll need to purchase a ticket in advance. This will save you time waiting in line, and will give you more time to explore the museum. Tickets can be bought online or at the museum itself, and cost €17 for adults.
There are also a number of different tour options available if you want to explore the museum with a guide. The basic audio guide costs €5 (about $6 USD), while more comprehensive guided tours start at around €25 (about $28 USD).
We recommend choosing a guided tour led by an art historian, as they will be able to provide you with insights and stories that you wouldn’t get from an audio guide.
If you’re short on time, there are also a number of express tours available that will allow you to see the highlights of the museum in 1-2 hours.
Tips for Visiting the Louvre
Now that you know how to get tickets and tours for your visit, let’s go over a few things to keep in mind before you go.
Plan Ahead Your Visit
First, it’s important to note that the Louvre is massive, with over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space spread out over eight different wings. As a result, it can be easy to get overwhelmed when visiting the museum.
To avoid this, we recommend planning your visit in advance and choosing which works of art you want to see ahead of time. That way, you can make the most of your time at the Louvre and see everything that interests you.
How to Choose Season and Time of the Day
Another thing to keep in mind is that the Louvre can get very crowded, especially during peak tourist season, which is June – September.
If you want to see the Mona Lisa without fighting your way through a crowd, we recommend going to the museum early in the morning or later in the evening. You can also try to visit on a weekday, when the museum is typically less crowded than it is on weekends. Also you can check our guide about best time to visit the Louvre museum.
Are cameras allowed in the Louvre
One of the most imporant tips for visiting the Louvre museum is an opportunity to take photos. Once you’re in the Louvre you’ll definitely would like to memorize this. According to the museum rules photography is allowed only in the permanent collections. Pictures taken should be used for private purposes only. Usage of flash and selfie sticks are prohibited. In the rooms with temporary collections it can be not allowed to make photos of some exhibits.
Things to see and do inside the museum
Now that you know a little bit about the history of the Louvre and what to expect during your visit, let’s take a look at some of the things you can see and do inside the museum.
One of the most popular things to see at the Louvre is the Mona Lisa, which is located in the Museum’s Denon Wing. The painting is small (just 77 cm x 53 cm), but it’s surrounded by a bulletproof glass case and can be difficult to get close to.
In addition to the Mona Lisa, there are a number of other famous paintings and works of art located throughout the Louvre. These include the Venus de Milo, Liberty Leading the People, and The Wedding Feast at Cana.
If you’re not sure what exactly you would like to see in the Louvre museum in Paris, you can just choose one of the recommended trails:
- The Louvre’s Masterpieces – the itinerary along the most iconic artworks, will take about 1.30 hrs to explore
- Journey along the Nile – the great place to learn more about ancient Egypt, it will take 1.30 hrs to see all the exhibits along the trail
- Secret Treasures of Richelieu wing – one hour to complete
- Beyonce and Jay-Z’s Louvre Highlights – you’ll see all the art objects appeared in the music video APES**T – duration 1.30 hrs
Apart from paintings, the Louvre also houses a large collection of sculptures, ancient Egyptian artifacts, and Greek and Roman antiquities. So whether you’re interested in art, history, or culture, there’s something for everyone at the Louvre Museum.
By following these tips for visiting the Louvre museum, you’re sure to have a great time.
The Louvre Museum FAQ
The Louvre Museum in Paris is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world, attracting over 10 million visitors each year. As a result, security is taken very seriously and there are a number of items that are not allowed inside the museum. These include backpacks and large bags, tripods, selfie sticks, food and drink, weapons of any kind, and pets. Visitors are also asked to refrain from smoking, using flash photography, and taking photos with drones. With so many restrictions in place, it’s important to plan ahead and familiarize yourself with the museum’s policies before your visit. By doing so, you can ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Yes, there are restrooms located throughout the Louvre Museum. Louvre visitors can find toilets on all levels of the museum, including the basement level. Toilets are also clearly marked on the Louvre’s floor plan, which is available at the information desks. Louvre staff are also happy to point guests in the direction of the nearest toilet. However, it should be noted that some of the Louvre’s toilets are located outside of the main museum building. These facilities are generally reserved for Louvre employees and are not open to the public.
As we mentioned above, taking pictures is allowed in the permanent collections and can be prohibited for certain artworks in temporary ones. No selfie sticks and flash.
The simple answer is that there is no formal dress code for visitors. However, as a general rule of thumb, it is always best to dress respectfully when visiting any museum or historical site. This means avoiding clothes with offensive language or images, and keeping your shoulders and knees covered. In addition, remember that the Louvre is a working museum, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes! By following these simple guidelines, you can be sure that you’ll have a respect Louvre experience.
With over 35,000 works of art on display, it can be overwhelming for first-time visitors to know where to start. While it is possible to see the entire museum in one day, it would be a rushed and not very enjoyable experience. A better option would be to spend two or three days exploring the Louvre, taking your time to appreciate the masterpieces on display.
The Louvre Museum has recently made some changes to improve it’s accessibility. A new wheelchair-accessible ramp has been installed at the entrance to the main building, and more elevators are being added to the other buildings on the site. There are only few galleries that are acessible only by stairs, but you can definetely spend the whole day in the Museum and have wonderful experience without visiting those galleries.
Restrooms are also fully equipped for people with reduced mobility.
Note: you can rent wheelchairs, canes and folding chairs for free. The Louvre Museum staff can also excort you from the Information Desk to the museum galleries.
