The Louvre Museum or The Musée du Louvre is the world’s largest museum and the most-visited one as well. It is home to more than 480,000 incredible art pieces that date back to prehistoric times. In the dark, the Louvre pyramid is illuminated which enhances the overall appearance. If you are planning to visit The Louvre Museum, you must expect incredible lines and crowds at the museum. Here, we present a comprehensive guide to The Louvre Museum. We have covered all the aspects to help you plan your trip conveniently.
Best Time to Visit The Louvre Museum
The first thing that you need to consider is when you should plan a visit to The Louvre Museum. The best day or time to visit the museum will depend on whether you are visiting during the off-season or peak season. You should consider visiting the museum on weekdays. Since Tuesday is closed, you can expect more crowds on Wednesday. Therefore, the best days to visit the museum would be Mondays and Thursdays. Regarding the timings, we will suggest you plan your visit during the morning hours rather than the evening hours. The evenings at The Louvre Museum are often busy and you might have to face crowds.
Why Visit The Louvre Museum?
You must take a tour of the world’s largest museum to explore some of the world's most famous masterpieces and explore the collection. More than 10 million people visit the museum every year. Here are some of the reasons why you must plan a visit to this incredible museum:
- It is the world's largest museum and home to some of the most amazing masterpieces.
- The Louvre Pyramid is illuminated at night, which makes it one of the most iconic and must-see attractions of Paris at night.
- You will find some of the most famous paintings and sculptures at the museum, including The Mona Lisa, the Regent Diamond, the Code of Hammurabi, the Venus of Milo, and Napoleon I’s.
- Moreover, it is a symbol of the French monarchy and showcases authentic French culture.
- It was built by King Philippe Auguste II as his royal palace in the 12th century.
The Louvre Museum Location
It is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France.
The Louvre Opening Hours
The museum sees thousands of visitors every day and it is better to plan the visit in advance. You must check The Louvre Opening Hours to ensure you are reaching on time and have time to explore the museum.
| Day | Timings |
| Monday | 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM |
| Thursday | 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM |
| Friday | 09:00 AM to 09:45 PM |
| Saturday | 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM |
| Sunday | 09:00 AM to 06:00 PM |
- Last entry: 1 hour before the closing time
- Public Holidays: The Louvre Museum is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. Besides this, the museum is open on all public holidays unless it is on Tuesday. Make sure you check the website of the museum for further information and updates related to the timings and opening.
The Louvre Museum Tickets
The Louvre Museum has limited the number of tickets they sell offline at the gate. Therefore, we will advise you to buy the tickets online and reserve your tickets in advance. The price for the tickets purchased online is EUR 17. Due to renovations, some rooms and areas may be restricted. You must check the website for information related to this.
The Louvre Museum Free Admission
The following people can get free admission or entry to The Louvre Museum:
- 18-year-olds
- 26-year-old residents of the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein)
- ICOM and ICOMOS members
- Art, art history and applied arts teachers
- ‘Pass Education’ holders
- Artists affiliated to the Maison des Artistes (in France) or the AIAP (Association Internationale des Arts Plastiques)
- Journalists
- Job seekers
- People on income support
What to See at The Museum?
The museum is the world's largest and contains millions of art pieces. It might be difficult to explore each art piece even if you are planning to spend more than one day at the museum. The Louvre has created its own highlight list, which you must see at the museum. The following are the artworks that you must explore at the museum:
- Mona Lisa (Da Vinci)
- The Raft of the Medusa (Gérciault)
- Winged Victory of Samothrace
- The Caryatids
- La Belle Ferronière (Da Vinci)
- Venus de Milo
- Sainte Anne (Da Vinci)
- The Slaves (Michelangelo)
- Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss (Canova)
- Liberty Leading the People (Délacroix)
- The Glass Pyramid
- Venus and the Three Graces Presenting Gifts to a Young Woman (Botticelli)
The Louvre Museum Dress Code
There is no dress code or any specific pattern you have to follow while visiting the Louvre Museum. You can dress up according to your preference and choices. Make sure you dress up according to the weather conditions.
Visiting as a Family or a Group
There are multiple activities and things to explore at the Museum. You can consider visiting it as a family or a group. You can explore the Louvre Museum with your children at no additional expense as admission is free for visitors under 18.
Are dogs allowed at the Louvre Museum?
You must note that dogs are not allowed at most museums and destinations in Paris. You should specifically look for dog-friendly destinations to take your paw-friend along.
Can I bring outside food or snacks to the museum?
Snacks in small quantities are allowed, but the museum authorities restrict and do not allow bringing food inside the museum. Make sure you follow these guidelines while planning your visit to the museum.
Are prams allowed inside the museum?
Yes, prams are allowed. You should make sure that it is not large enough as it will not fit the lift. If it is large, you can borrow one from the Louvre Pyramid staff.
Summing Up
The Louvre Museum is one of the must-visit destinations in Paris. You must keep the above things in mind and plan your trip to the museum conveniently. If you have any doubts, feel free to comment below. Stay tuned to Scott and Ben for more such travel updates and guides.