Le Louvre Museum Paris – Tickets, Tours & Visitor Guide

The Louvre is non-negotiable on your Paris itinerary and this guide covers everything:  tickets, the best guided tours, practical tips, and how to avoid wasting your day in lines. Whether you want to spend two focused hours with the highlights or an entire day getting lost in 10,000 years of art – everything you need is here.

What Is the Louvre?

The Louvre is more than just a museum — it’s a piece of French history. Before it became the home of the Mona Lisa, it was actually a medieval fortress. Later, it turned into a royal palace, and finally, in 1793, it opened as a museum during the French Revolution. Yes, it goes back that far!

Today, it’s the most visited museum in the world (More than 8 millions visitors per year), and for good reason. Inside, you’ll find over 35,000 works of art — from ancient Egyptian statues to masterpieces by da Vinci, Delacroix, and Michelangelo. It’s a place where you can walk through centuries of history, all under one roof.

The Louvre is big (really big!), but that’s what makes it so special. Whether you love sculpture, painting, or just want to see the Mona Lisa smile, there’s something here for everyone.

How to Visit the Louvre Without Losing Your Mind

Let’s be honest — the Louvre is huge. It can be overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. But don’t worry, with a little planning, your visit can be smooth and even relaxing (yes, really!).

🕐 Best Time to Go

If you can, go during the week — Wednesday and Friday evenings are great because the museum stays open late and the crowds are smaller. Mornings right when it opens (9 AM) are also a good option, especially if you want to see the Mona Lisa before the big rush. Just remember the museum is closed on Tuesdays.

⏳ How Long Should You Stay?

You don’t have to spend a whole day. In fact, 2 to 3 hours is more than enough to see the highlights without getting museum fatigue. Pick a few sections you’re curious about and focus on those. There’s no need to see it all in one go! Check out our article and video on how to see the Louvre essentials under 3 hours.

🚪 Which Entrance to Use?

Most people head straight to the big glass Pyramid, but it can get really busy. If you want a quicker entry, try the Carrousel du Louvre (an underground shopping mall entrance) — it’s less known and often faster. If you already have a ticket, Porte des Lions is another secret spot, right near the Seine.

🛋️ Practical Tips

There are cloakrooms where you can leave coats and backpacks for free, which makes walking around easier. The museum has toilets, cafés, and even quiet areas if you need a break. It’s also accessible for strollers and wheelchairs, with elevators and ramps throughout. If you need, check out the wheelchair and reduced mobility tours we recommend for the Louvre.

Best Louvre Tours (Tried & Loved)

Let’s be real – visiting the Louvre on your own can be pretty intimidating, for the size, crowds and hundreds of hallways. This is why, especially for this museum, we are fans of guided tours which make an experience that can be confusing into something memorable (and fun!).

Through our years of visiting Antoine’s family in France and then welcoming friends and family visiting, we tested quite a few tours so here is our breakdown.

Classic Highlights Tour (2–3 hours)

Perfect if you’re short on time or it’s your first visit. You’ll hit the big names like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory, with fun stories and zero stress. See the Louvre guided tours we recommend.

Evening Tour of the Louvre

A hidden gem! Fewer people, magical lighting, and a totally different vibe. Highly recommended if you’re not a morning person. See the evening louvre tour we recommended.

Wheelchair & reduced mobility Louvre tours

Traveling in a town like Paris and visiting the Louvre can be intimidating when you have mobility issues. However, it is possible to visit this iconic museum in good conditions. A wheelchair can be available with the right tour guide, who will use all the elevators and easy pathways possible to make it a memorable experience. Check this page for wheelchair tours of the Louvre.

Louvre Tickets & Pass Options

Orientation to the Louvre is very easy, once you figured out how to make the website work.

Standard Tickets

A regular ticket costs €32 online (non-EU citizen), and we highly recommend booking in advance. You’ll get a timed entry, which helps avoid the big lines, especially during busy seasons.

Important for FAMILIES : For any visitor under 18 or a resident of the EU under 26, your entry is free — just bring ID! There’s also free entry for everyone on the first Friday of the month after 6 PM (except July and August), and on Bastille Day (July 14th). You can look at the Louvre website here or check the direct booking options here.

Paris Pass (multiple attractions pass)

If you’re planning to visit multiple museums in Paris (like Orsay, Sainte-Chapelle, or Versailles), the Paris Pass might be a smart move. The Louvre is included, and you get access to many other sites.

You can choose a 2, 4, or 6-day pass, and the more you visit, the more you save. Check the options here.

What To Know Before Visiting

1. Master the Art of Pre-Booked Tickets: Ah, the Louvre—the treasure trove of art and history. But, let’s face it, nobody wants to spend precious vacation time waiting in line. Opt for timed-entry tickets, easily purchased online.

2. Plan Your adventure in the Artistic Wonderland: The Louvre is vast, actually the biggest museum in the world! So you can’t see everything and that means planning the rooms you want to see ahead of time allows you to just have fun! Download the Louvre’s official app to access interactive maps and self-guided tours.

3. Embrace Comfortable Footwear for the Marathon: Trust us, this museum is huge! So prepare for comfortable footwear and don’t plan something with an inflexible timetable afterwards.

4. Know Your Photography Etiquette: Picture this: you, in front of the iconic Mona Lisa, camera poised for the perfect shot. But don’t forget – no flash allowed!

Inside the famous crowded room where the Mona Lisa (La Joconde) is located

Time & Opening hours

The Louvre’s opening hours are dynamic, welcoming visitors daily except Tuesdays. Explore its vast treasures from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with night hours until 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. Be sure to check for any special closures or changes, ensuring a seamless journey into this cultural haven.

Colleen & Antoine’s Experience At The Louvre

Louvre Private Tour

Below are the tours provided by Walid, a licensed guide who took us around Le Louvre for a tour to see the essentials in under 3 hours.

Louvre Small Group Guided Tour

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