🏛️ Visit the Louvre Museum: The Ultimate Guide
Located in the heart of Paris, the Musée du Louvre is a veritable cultural and historical icon. A former royal palace transformed into a museum in 1793, it now houses over 35,000 works of art spread over 72,735 m² of exhibition space. With almost 8 million visitors a year, it is the most visited museum in the world! Whether you’re an art enthusiast, curious or simply visiting Paris, a trip to the Louvre is a must.
📅 O pening hours and closing days
The Louvre is open almost all year round, but it’s important to know its opening hours to plan your visit.
- Monday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Tuesday: ❌ Closed
- Wednesday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Thursday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Friday: 9:00 am – 9:45 pm (nocturne 🌙)
- Saturday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
- Sunday: 9:00 am – 6:00 pm
⚠️ Exceptional closures: January 1, May 1 and December 25.
🔹 Last admission: 1h before closing time
🔹 Hall evacuation: 30 minutes before closing time
🎟️ Prices, tickets and reservations
Admission to the Louvre varies according to age and status:
💰 Admission fees
- Full admission: €17
- Free for :
- Under 18s
- EU residents under 26
- Teachers (under certain conditions)
- Jobseekers and recipients of minimum social benefits
- Disabled people + one accompanying adult
💡 Tip: Every 1st Friday of the month after 6pm (except July and August), admission is free for all!
🎟️ Online booking strongly recommended on the official website. You can also buy your ticket directly at the entrance, but the wait can be long.
🚆 How do I get to the Louvre?
As the Louvre is located in the heart of Paris, there are several easy ways to get there.
🚌 By public transport
- 🚇 Metro: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7)
- 🚌 Bus: Lines 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95
- 🚲 Vélib’: Self-service bicycle stations available nearby
🚗 By car
🚘 GPS address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
- Parking: Underground parking is available at the Carrousel du Louvre (access via avenue du Général Lemonnier).
✈️ From the airport
- From Roissy-Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B to Châtelet, then line 1
- From Orly (ORY): Orlyval + RER B to Châtelet, then line 1
♿ Accessibility and services
The Louvre has set up several facilities to facilitate access for visitors with disabilities or reduced mobility:
- Main entrance under the Pyramid with elevators
- Wheelchairs available free of charge at reception
- Museum map with adapted access
- Mobile applications to facilitate orientation
🚼 F or families with children: Baby areas with changing tables are available.
🎧 Guided tours and audio guides
The Louvre offers several options for exploring the museum at your own pace:
📍 Guided tours
- Available in French, English, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, etc.
- Prices: from €12 per person
- Average length: 1h30 to 2h
🎮 Audioguides
- 🎧 On Nintendo Switch console in 10 languages
- 📱 Louvre Guide app for download on iOS and Android
💡 Tip: To avoid the crowds, opt for an early-morning or night-time visit on Fridays.
🏛️ Must-see works
The museum has 8 departments featuring masterpieces from all over the world. Here are just a few of the highlights:
🖼️ The great classics
✔️ Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci 🏆 (Salle des États)
✔️ The Venus de Milo – Ancient Greek sculpture
✔️ The Victory of Samothrace – Majestic Greek sculpture
✔️ The Raft of the Medusa – Théodore Géricault
✔️ The Rite of Napoleon – Jacques-Louis David
🏺 Historical treasures
🏛️ The Code of Hammurabi – One of the oldest written laws (Mesopotamia)
🦁 Assyrian sculptures – Imposing winged bulls from Mesopotamia
⛏️ Egyptian antiquities – Sarcophagi, mummies and treasures of the pharaohs
🛍️ Restaurants and stores
The Louvre is home to several places to eat and relax:
🍽️ Restaurants and cafés
- Le Café Richelieu: View of the Cour Napoléon
- Le Café Marly: Chic atmosphere under the arcades
- Starbucks & McDonald’s at the Carrousel du Louvre
🛒 S hops
The official Louvre boutique offers souvenirs, books and reproductions of works of art.
📌 Practical tips for a successful visit
✅ Buy your tickets in advance to avoid queues
✅ Allow at least 3 to 4 hours for a complete visit
✅ Wear comfortable shoes (the museum is huge!)
✅ Avoid peak hours (11am – 3pm) for greater peace and quiet
✅ Use the museum map to avoid getting lost
🎨 Conclusion: A must-see in Paris
Whether you’re passionate about art or simply curious, the Musée du Louvre is a magical experience. From the Mona Lisa to Egyptian treasures, every visit is a fascinating plunge into world history and culture.
🛎️ Book now and get ready for an unforgettable journey to the heart of art! 🎭✨
📌 Official Louvre website: www.louvre.fr
📍 Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris