VISIT LOUVRE MUSEUM – ULTIMATE GUIDE TO VISITING THE LOUVRE MUSEUM 2026
Best time to visit the Louvre Museum | Louvre Museum visiting tips
Everything you need to know before visiting the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is France’s national museum and gallery and the most visited art museum in the world! It houses many masterpieces, one of the most famous being da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. It is a must-visit location when in Paris, with beautiful, famous artworks everywhere you look!
Its collection contains works dating all the way back to ancient civilizations. You can see “Venus de Milo”, “Winged Victory of Samothrace”, and more works by da Vinci, and the list goes on! As the world’s most visited art museum, we recommend booking your tickets in advance through online ticketing. By buying tickets online, you can secure a visit at a date and time that best suits you and gain access to benefits such as skip-the-line entry or a live or audio guide.
About the Louvre Museum
There are more than 400 rooms to explore, with 35,000 works of art at the Musée du Louvre! Some more famous artworks include “The Wedding at Cana”, “The Coronation of Napoleon”, “Liberty Leading the People” by Eugene Delacroix, and “The Code of Hammurabi”. The Louvre Museum was a royal residence until King Louis XIV decided to move the court to the Palace of Versailles in the 17th century. The idea of turning it into a public museum came about in the 18th century.
Within the museum, you will find five floors and three wings. The museum covers European art from all periods until 1848. Its collection of French paintings from the 15th to the 19th century is the best in the world. You can also find items that belonged to French kings, such as furniture, jewelry, and so much more!
The wings of the Louvre Museum
Denon Wing
The Denon wing is where the Mona Lisa is located. You can also admire Greek and Roman antiquities, European sculptures, and Islamic art. See the French Crown Jewels, art from Africa, Asia, Oceania, and the Americas, as well as French, Italian, American, British, and Spanish paintings.
Richelieu Wing
In the Richelieu wing, you can relax in a space with a glass roof called the Studio and explore antiquities from Mesopotamia, as well as decorative arts and paintings from Europe, notably from Northern Europe and France.
Sully Wing
In the Sully wing, you can learn about the history of the Louvre and see antiquities from Iran, Greece, Egypt, and Italy, as well as European decorative arts and French paintings.
Best time to visit the Louvre Museum
The best time to visit the Louvre to avoid crowds is early in the morning. A good idea is to have a map or list of the artworks you want to see the most, checking them out first and then leisurely exploring the rest of the museum. We recommend adding the Mona Lisa to that list, as the Salle des États, where the painting is located, gets crowded. You can also visit in the late afternoon a couple of hours before closing, especially on Fridays.
You can book a timed ticket to enter the museum at a specific time. Another great option is a skip-the-line ticket, so you can bypass the long lines and go right in!
Plan your visit to the Louvre Museum
Getting there
By bus: If you go by bus, you can take numbers 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, and 95.
By metro: If you choose the metro, take line 1 or 7 and get off at Palais-Royal/Musée du Louvre. You can also take line 14 and exit at Pyramides.
By car: If you are driving, you can park your car underground at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier and enter the Louvre through the Carrousel entry. Visitors with disabilities can park their vehicles at a reduced price (this can be done in the area for visitors with special needs under the Pyramid).
By taxi: Taxis can drop you off at the Carrousel roundabout and pick you up at Place André Malraux. The Batobus stops at the Louvre stop, Quai François-Mitterrand.
Entrances
You can access the Louvre through the Pyramid entrance, the Carrousel entrance at 99, Rue de Rivoli, the Richelieu entrance at Rue de Rivoli, and the Porte des Lions at Quai François Mitterrand, 75001 Paris.
Maximize your visit to the Louvre with our best ticket deals!
Skip-the-line
Louvre Museum Ticket
Enjoy direct access to the Louvre Museum and skip the lines with the timed entry ticket. Explore art history and famous collections at your own pace. Walk through the corridors of one of the world’s most famous museums, visited by millions. See masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory, and many others. With over 35,000 pieces in eight sections, the Louvre offers an unforgettable journey through the history of art and culture.
See all Parisian museums
Paris Museum Pass
Visit over 60 top museums and landmarks, like the Louvre Museum, the Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, the Orsay Museum, and more! Your pass is valid for 2 to 6 days and includes skip-the-line access, so you can make the most of your visit to Paris. The pass even includes sites outside of Paris, such as the Palace of Versailles, and offers a cruise along the Seine River.
FAQ - Visit the Louvre Museum
How much time do you need in the Louvre?
Since the Louvre contains so many works of art, you could explore for a whole day and more, depending on how much time you spend viewing each piece. If you are short on time and just want to check out the most famous masterpieces, set aside about 1.5-2 hours for your visit.Are there toilets at the Louvre?
You can find restrooms under the Pyramid and at various locations all throughout the museum, and most include a baby-changing table.Can you bring luggage to the Louvre?
There are free self-service lockers under the Pyramid. Suitcases and large bags are not permitted. The maximum dimensions are 55 x 35 x 20 cm.Is there Wi-Fi in the Louvre Museum?
Yes, there is free Wi-Fi at the Louvre. The connection lasts one hour, but you can connect to the network again.Is the Louvre wheelchair accessible?
Disabled visitors and their carer gain free admission and priority access after presenting documentation. You can enter through the Pyramid entrance and the Carrousel shopping center. You can borrow a wheelchair, a folding chair, or a cane for free.Louvre Museum DOs & DON’Ts
DO wear comfortable shoes
There is a lot to see, so it’s best to wear comfortable shoes to enjoy your time at the Louvre.
DON’T queue in the wrong line
Ensure you are in the right line when you get to the entrance of the Louvre. Look for signs or ask around so you don’t lose time. A great option is securing your ticket to the Louvre to avoid the hassle of waiting in line for standard ticket holders.
DO expect a security check
All visitors must pass through security checks at the Louvre. Reserve some time for a security check or arrive early.
DON’T bring a large bag
Any bag exceeding the limit of 55 x 35 x 20 cm will not be accepted.
DO take a guided tour
Taking a small-group tour of the Louvre is the best way to learn about the history of the artworks exhibited there. There is a story behind every one of them, and your expert guide will tell you all about it. With your guide leading the way, you can forget the stress of looking at maps as they know their way around. You can also ask them any question that pops into your head!
DON’T rush
At the Louvre, you will be surrounded by great art everywhere you look. Don’t just rush to see the masterpieces – stroll around and take in the art history of humanity!
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Art history & city views
Louvre Museum & Eiffel Tower Tickets
Visit two top attractions in Paris with just one ticket! Skip the line at the Louvre Museum to explore 35,000 artworks, including the Mona Lisa, and all permanent and temporary exhibitions. You can also climb all three floors of the Eiffel Tower with elevator access, as well as a host who will help you get in and tell you about the famous monument. Admire thousands of artworks in the Louvre and see panoramic views of Paris from the Eiffel Tower!
Easy & quick Paris sightseeing
Louvre Museum Ticket & Hop-On Hop-Off Bus
Explore Paris’s top landmarks from aboard a hop-on hop-off bus. It includes an audio guide so you can learn about the monuments you’re seeing. The hop-on hop-off bus is a great option for convenient transportation around the city. Stop at the Louvre and enter the famous museum. Walk around and admire the great art at your own pace. See da Vinci’s works in the Grand Gallery, the Mona Lisa in the Salle des États, and more!