Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum featuring heritage architecture, a monument and a square or plaza
This internationally renowned museum houses some of the most famous art in the world, from the enigmatic Mona Lisa to the ancient Venus de Milo.

A former palace, today the Musée du Louvre now houses a collection of art that is worthy of several kings. This enormous building contains many kilometres of corridors, making it one of the largest museums in the world. It is easy to spend an entire day exploring the centuries of artworks on display here – the museum houses everything from paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, Near Eastern antiquities, Egyptian antiquities, Islamic art, prints and drawings, to Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities. Some of the oldest objects in the collections date from 5000 BC, with the most recent coming from the 19th century.

The Louvre is known for its showstopper pieces, including the marble statues Winged Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo, and, of course, Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa. These exhibits always attract large crowds, so prepare to be patient – but they are well worth the inevitable wait, and the surrounding masterpieces are worthy of examination in their own right as you queue.

This is a vast museum and houses more items than anyone can appreciate in a single day. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, plan your day in advance, noting the key works you wish to see and the types of art that particularly interest you. The museum is divided into three wings: Denon, Sully and Richelieu, each housing different collections from different periods. The museum is well signposted and the maps provided are excellent guides, but it is a good idea to visit the Louvre website for a more detailed insight and for information on visiting exhibits. Alternatively, you can join one of the 90-minute guided tours for an overview of the Louvre and its main pieces before exploring it yourself, or rent an audio guide.

Despite its long-standing place in Parisians’ hearts, the Louvre still managed to shock when the Pyramide du Louvre (Louvre Pyramid) was built in the centre of the palace’s main courtyard, the Cour Napoléon in 1989. This steel and glass structure provides a stark contrast with the surrounding classic architecture and creates an light and airy atmosphere in the main entrance hall which is situated directly below it.

The Louvre is located in the centre of Paris, on the Right Bank of the Seine, in the 1st arrondissement. There are three entrances: the main entrance at the pyramid, an entrance from the Carrousel du Louvre underground shopping centre and an entrance at the Porte des Lions (near the western end of the Denon wing). Tickets can be purchased at the main entrance, under the Pyramid, or – to beat the queues – buy them online or from one of the many shops throughout France that offer them. The museum is accessible by public transport, including boat, and parking is available.

Villa Beaumarchais
La Dépendance
1K Paris
Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Reviews of Louvre Museum

4.4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
536
" "5 - Excellent 51.43953934740883%
4 - Good
396
" "4 - Good 38.00383877159309%
3 - Okay
89
" "3 - Okay 8.54126679462572%
2 - Disappointing
10
" "2 - Disappointing 0.9596928982725528%
1 - Terrible
11
" "1 - Terrible 1.055662188099808%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
21 Jan 2020

Excellent in the end. Louvre was closed due to strike action on the day we had timed tickets for entry to the Leonardo da Vinci exhibition. BUT we were able to see the exhibition with our tickets the following day.

4/5 - Good

Debbie
16 Jan 2020

The audio tour was helpful but with a few of the exhibits closed it made for a few detours. I didn't see signs about the closed exhibits until we arrived at a corridor that was blocked off, although I may have missed them so keep your eyes open. Beautiful gallery, spent most of a day there with a 6 year old who thought it was brilliant. Arrived without a ticket and queue was only about 20 mins.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
7 Jan 2020

Overwhelming

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller
6 Jan 2020

You need to book WAY in advance

1/5 - Terrible

Verified traveller
23 Dec 2019

closed due to strike

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller
9 Nov 2019

Do not use the pyramid entrance and buy tickets in advance - esp for mona lisa

Popular places to visit


Top Louvre Museum Hotel Deals

Hotel Odyssey
Hotel Odyssey
3 out of 5
19 Rue Herold, Paris, Paris
Hotel Odyssey
Novotel Paris Les Halles
Novotel Paris Les Halles
4 out of 5
8 Place Marguerite De Navarre, Paris, Paris
Novotel Paris Les Halles
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
4 out of 5
18 avenue de Suffren, Entrée au 22 rue Jean Rey, Paris, Paris
Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel
Hotel Regina Louvre
Hotel Regina Louvre
5 out of 5
2 Place Des Pyramides, Paris, Paris
Hotel Regina Louvre
Hotel Duminy Vendome
Hotel Duminy Vendome
4 out of 5
3 Rue du Mont Thabor, Paris, Paris
Hotel Duminy Vendome
Hôtel Louvre Bons Enfants
Hôtel Louvre Bons Enfants
3 out of 5
5, Rue des Bons Enfants, Paris, Paris
Hôtel Louvre Bons Enfants
Citadines Les Halles Paris
Citadines Les Halles Paris
4 out of 5
4 Rue Des Innocents, Paris, Paris
Citadines Les Halles Paris
Tonic Hotel Du Louvre
Tonic Hotel Du Louvre
3 out of 5
12-14 Rue Du Roule, Paris, Paris
Tonic Hotel Du Louvre
Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
4 out of 5
53 Ter Quai des Grands Augustins, Paris, Paris
Citadines Apart'hotel Saint-Germain-des-Prés Paris
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.