museum

Louvre Museum

The world's largest museum and former royal palace, the Louvre holds 35,000 works including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo.

Visit duration

3 to 4 hours

Best time

Wednesday or Friday evenings

Metro

Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (1, 7)

Visit duration

3 to 4 hours

Metro

Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (1, 7)

Best time

Wednesday or Friday evenings

Open in Google Maps Listen to the audio guide

History & context

A medieval fortress built by Philippe Auguste around 1190, the Louvre became a royal residence in the 14th century and a Renaissance palace under François I, who brought in the Mona Lisa in 1517.

It opened as a public museum on 10 August 1793 and now displays over 35,000 works across 73,000 m². I. M. Pei's glass pyramid, inaugurated in 1989, has become its iconic entrance.

With nearly 9 million visitors a year, it is the most visited museum on earth.

Key facts

Built: c. 1190 (fortress) · 1793 (museum) · 1989 (pyramid)
Architect: Pierre Lescot · I. M. Pei (pyramid)
Style: Renaissance & modern
District: 1st — Right Bank

Why visit

·See the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory
·9,000 years of world art under one roof
·Stunning architecture: royal palace meets glass pyramid
·Lavish Napoleon III apartments
·Free admission on some evenings

What to see

·Mona Lisa by Leonardo
·Venus de Milo
·Winged Victory of Samothrace
·Napoleon III apartments
·The glass pyramid

Practical tips

·Free first Friday evenings each month after 6pm
·Avoid Saturdays
·Download the official map

Best photo spots

·The pyramid at dawn (empty Cour Napoléon).
·Inverted pyramid from the Carrousel.
·Reflections in the courtyard pools.
·Galerie d'Apollon for gold and light.
·Pont des Arts at sunset with the façade behind.

Good to know

·Closed on Tuesdays.
·Book a timed slot online — walk-in entry is very limited.
·Hours and prices may change: check louvre.fr before visiting.
·The Carrousel gallery or Porte des Lions entrances are often less crowded.

Schedules and tickets may change. Check the official website before booking.

Anu's insider tip

Enter via Passage Richelieu (rue de Rivoli side): far faster than the pyramid, even with a booked ticket.

With family

Too large for kids in one go: aim for 2 wings max (e.g. Egyptian Antiquities + Grande Galerie), 2 hours tops.

What to avoid

The Mona Lisa crush after 11am: come at opening, or Wed/Fri late nights (until 9:45 pm).

Frequently asked

＋How long should I plan?

2h for the highlights (Mona Lisa, Venus, Winged Victory); half a day to go deeper.

＋Which days to avoid?

Sundays and the first Saturday of each month (free entry) are the busiest.

＋Is the ticket valid all day?

Yes, you can leave and re-enter with the same timed ticket.

Itineraries with this place

Nearby

Tuileries Garden

Paris's first public garden, designed by Le Nôtre, between the Louvre and Concorde.

Musée d'Orsay

A Belle Époque train station turned museum, Orsay holds the world's largest Impressionist collection.

Île de la Cité

Historical cradle of Paris in the middle of the Seine, the founding site of Lutetia.

Le Marais

A historic aristocratic quarter turned trendy heart of Paris, mixing mansions and boutiques.