The Louvre
The Louvre is the most visited museum and arguably the most renowned museum in the world
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 queueThe 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 out of 5
The Louvre is not only an incredible museum but also a very large and impressive area to explore. Even outside the museum itself, you can easily spend half a day walking around the beautiful courtyards, the famous glass pyramid, and the surrounding architecture. The entire complex is stunning and offers many great spots for photos and to simply enjoy the atmosphere of Paris. A must-visit place, even if you don’t plan to go inside the museum.
Guido Bertram - 2 months ago
Highly recommend getting tickets in advance. Prices are different for EU and non-EU members.
We've been here and didn't have to wait much, 10 min only, got tickets online for a specific time frame.
Highly recommend going in the morning - first, fewer people and fewer kids around, better to see everything without rush.
Avoid the main entrance, we came in from the metro station entrance and it was empty.
Recommend spending at least 2 hours to be able to see
Gabriel Pincetta - 2 months ago
Great museum and great experience. First Friday of the month admission is free to all after 6pm. 15 minutes to get in and Mona Lisa exhibition was also free. Beautiful Egyptian collection and Greek God Statue Collection. 10/10 recommend.
Devona Bonner - 2 months ago
Visiting the Louvre was truly an unforgettable experience. From the moment we saw the iconic glass pyramid, we were in awe. The architecture alone is stunning such a beautiful mix of historic and modern design.
Inside, every room felt like stepping into a different chapter of history. Seeing world-famous masterpieces like the Mona Lisa in person was surreal, but honestly, every gallery had something incredible to offer. The paintings, sculptures, and artifacts are so detailed and powerful you could spend hours just taking it all in.
The atmosphere is inspiring and magical. Even with so much to see, everything felt organized and easy to explore. Walking through the grand halls made us feel like we were part of something timeless.
If you’re ever in Paris, the Louvre is an absolute must-visit. It’s not just a museum it’s an experience you’ll never forget. 💛✨
matty weis - 3 months ago
A must-visit if you’re in Paris. While you could easily finish it in half a day, if you’re serious about museums you’ll definitely need more than a day to fully explore. It’s such a wonderful place.
Hasitha Gamage - 2 months ago
Directions
| Metro / RER Line | Nearest Station | Walking Time |
|---|---|---|
| M1 or M7 | Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre | 3 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.
Map & Instant Route Finder
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Accommodations near The Louvre:
Photo Gallery
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One of many expansive halls exhibiting paintings by the masters inside The Louvre cc licensed photo by vic15 -
Photo Credit: szeke - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Jorge Lascar - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Carl Campbell - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Carl Campbell - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: vonguard - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Carl Campbell - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Christopher Dart - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: rjhuttondfw - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: Gary Lee Todd, Ph.D. - cc license via Flickr -
Photo Credit: PhelanRiessen - cc license via Flickr
