The Louvre

The Louvre is the most visited museum and arguably the most renowned museum in the world

Famous Glass Pyramid entrance to the Louvre
Famous Glass Pyramid entrance to the Louvre cc licensed photo by zoetnet

There are few museums anywhere in the world that have attracted more attention than the Louvre. The world's most visited museum, the Louvre is home to in excess of 35000 pieces of art dating from the earliest times to the 19th century and displayed in an exhibition space covering an amazing 650,000 square feet. Some famous pieces of art include The Madonna and Leonardo da Vinci’s Saint Anne, however there are literally thousands more works of art and historical pieces for visitors to view.

The Louvre has a lengthy and interesting history. During the 12th century, Paris was Europe's largest city. To protect the capital from the Anglo Norman threat king, Philippe Auguste, who was reigning at that time, decided to build a garrison to reinforce its western defences on the shores of the River Seine. The large fortress comprised of a moat, a huge tower at the centre of the structure plus other towers encompassed narrow gates at the wall on south and east sides. The solid building had two inner buildings butt against the exterior walls on the south and west sides. This magnificant structure lost its ability to be Paris' defence fortress as the city grew far beyond the original wall by the mid 14th century. Other defences were developed under King Charles V which enclosed the Louvre within the expanding city. In 1364 he commissioned his architect, Raymon du Temple, to transform the ancient garrison into a splendid royal mansion.

Each section of the Louvre has its story to tell and bears the mark of a different influential personality. The Louvre was turned into a museum in 1791 and first opened its doors as such in 1793. The first pieces on display were works of art that were donated or loaned by families that could afford to do so. Since then, the Louvre has simply grown in splendour and has had many galleries added and renovations done to turn it into the amazing museum that it is today.

The Louvre, as with most famous museums, offers floor plans, audio guides and guide books to visitors. It also features a number of cafes, media centres and even a bookstore for those that wish to bring a little of the Louvre home with them. The Tuileries Gardens offer a number of activities for the restless little ones who may not enjoy taking in the art of the Louvre as much as their parents. Instead, they can be amused with boat rides and trampolines and other play area activities in the gardens.

Nearby attractions: Jardin des Tuileries and Museum of Decorative Arts



Facts For Your Visit

Fee: Save time and skip the queue

The Louvre Hours:
Opening hours may differ on holidays

  • Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Tuesday: Closed
  • Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
  • Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
  • Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM

Address: 75001 Paris, France

Phone: 01 40 20 53 17

Official Website: The Louvre

The Louvre Reviews

Rated 4.7 out of 5 Star Rating

5 Star Rating An unforgettable, bucket-list experience in Paris! Visiting the Louvre was an absolute highlight of my trip to Paris! The sheer scale of the museum is mind-blowing, and the building itself a stunning former royal palace is just as much a masterpiece as the art inside. Looking up at the incredibly ornate, gilded ceilings and walking through the grand galleries felt surreal. Of course, seeing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in person was an unforgettable moment. Yes, the room is busy, but the line moves quickly and it is completely worth it. Beyond that, the Winged Victory of Samothrace standing tall at the top of the grand staircase and the beautiful Venus de Milo were absolutely breathtaking. My top tips for anyone visiting: 1. Book your tickets online well in advance to secure your time slot and bypass the massive ticket lines. 2. Wear your most comfortable walking shoes because the museum is massive and you will easily clock in thousands of steps. 3. Pick a few must-see pieces before you go, or you will get easily overwhelmed It is an absolute 5-star experience that you cannot miss when in Paris. Truly a journey through history and art!
Roushan Srivastav - 3 months ago

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5 Star Rating I recommend buying tickets in advance and getting an early time slot, especially if you are coming during the summer. I got the audio guide and it was kind of nice but I really struggled to find the room number codes and therefore did not get much use out of it. I really enjoyed the artwork, especially the painting exhibits, but it is REALLY easy to get lost. We ended up doing a lot of walking in circles. Also sometimes you can only go in one direction, like in the room with the Mona Lisa.
Gemma Kelly - 2 months ago

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5 Star Rating The Louvre Museum is one of the most incredible places to visit in Paris and a must-see for anyone who appreciates art, history, and architecture. The museum is enormous, so it's a good idea to plan your visit in advance and decide which galleries you want to explore. Even spending an entire day isn't enough to see everything. The museum is home to world-famous masterpieces, including the *Mona Lisa*, the *Venus de Milo*, and the *Winged Victory of Samothrace*. Beyond these iconic works, every gallery is filled with fascinating paintings, sculptures, and historical artifacts from different civilizations and time periods. The glass pyramid at the entrance is an attraction in itself and makes for beautiful photographs. Inside, the museum is well organized, although it can become very crowded, especially around the most famous artworks. Arriving early or booking tickets in advance can help make your visit smoother. There are cafés, restaurants, gift shops, and clean restrooms throughout the museum, making it convenient for visitors. Comfortable shoes are essential because you'll be walking a lot. Overall, the Louvre offers an unforgettable cultural experience. Its vast collection, rich history, and breathtaking architecture make it one of the world's greatest museums and an absolute highlight of any trip to Paris.
swarna gupta - a month ago

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5 Star Rating Louvre Museum needs no reviews. Visiting the Louvre Museum was an amazing experience! 🤩 Seeing all the stunning architecture and incredible paintings from renowned artists, some over 500 years old, was truly magical. ✨ It's great that entry is free, just remember to book your tickets in advance. Highly recommend! 🏛️
Pinesh Singall - a month ago

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5 Star Rating An absolutely incredible museum and one of the highlights of my trip to Paris. The Louvre is breathtaking, both inside and out, with an amazing collection of art and history. There’s so much to see that you could easily spend an entire day exploring without getting bored. The Napoleon III Apartments are an absolute must-see. They are stunning, incredibly luxurious, and give you a real sense of how extravagant life was in imperial France. Surprisingly, they weren’t too crowded when we visited, which made it even more enjoyable to take in all the details.
Hugo Gustafsson - a month ago

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Directions

Metro / RER Line Nearest Station Walking Time
M1 or M7Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre‎3 minutes

How to get to The Louvre by Metro / RER

By Metro: From Metro Line 1 or 7 exit at Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre‎‎ Station and proceed to your right (west) along Rue de Rivoli and then cross the road to your left and proceed through the arches at Place du Corrousel. The entrance to the the Louvre is in the Glass Pyramid ahead and to your left.

The Louvre is also easily accessed from the Batobus.

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