31 July 2023
Visiting the Louvre museum in Paris? Even people with little or no interest in museums or art should put a visit to the Louvre in Paris on their to-do list. The glass pyramid of the Louvre is one of the most famous museums in Paris and the world, with some of the greatest works of art that you must see. And then we are without a doubt talking about Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Besides the Mona Lisa, the Louvre museum offers a wealth of other masterpieces. From the ancient Egyptian collection with the imposing Sphinx of Tanis to the Greek and Roman sculptures, such as the Venus de Milo, the museum embodies the grandeur of the ancient civilizations.
Visitors can also enjoy Renaissance masterpieces, including works by Titian, Raphael, and Michelangelo. In addition, the museum houses an extensive collection of European paintings, including works by Vermeer, Rembrandt and Delacroix.
The Louvre is a large museum, so seeing everything in one day is not possible. That is why it is good to think in advance about what you want to visit & see in the Louvre. Buy your tickets for a visit to the Louvre online in advance. By ordering your tickets in advance, you can avoid the queue and enjoy a visit to this beautiful museum in Paris much faster. Also read our frequently asked questions about the Louvre: where to buy tickets, the price of a ticket, opening hours/times, address of the pyramid and when the museum can be visited for free. In this article the best tips for a flawless visit to the Louvre in Paris.
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The Louvre museum in Paris: online tickets, prices, opening hours & history of the glass pyramid
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1. Prices & tickets for the Louvre museum in Paris
How much does a ticket cost to visit the Louvre in Paris? The price for a ticket to the Louvre with a fixed entry time is around 17€ per person (€22 from January 15, 2024). You can buy your tickets to visit the Louvre at the box office and tickets can of course also be ordered online. The Louvre is immensely popular. So you can imagine that the queues are sometimes very long. One way to avoid these queues is to buy your tickets for the Louvre online in advance, where you can then book entrance tickets for a specific time slot. Every half hour a new group of visitors is admitted to the Louvre museum.
Good to know: the Louvre museum can be visited free of charge for everyone under the age of 18, young people up to the age of 25 from the European Union and the disabled. Did you know that many museums in Paris, including the glass pyramid of the Louvre, can be visited for free every first Sunday of the month (from October to March)? You must of course take into account large crowds. Buying a ticket for the Louvre in Paris at less busy times usually turns out to be the best option if you want to enjoy the museum in peace.
2. Visiting the Louvre museum: history history of the glass pyramid
Are you planning to visit the Louvre museum in Paris? A bit of history before visiting the Louvre glass pyramid is definitely a must. The origins of the Louvre in Paris date back to the 1200s. Once a royal residence, it was decided to turn it into a public museum during the French Revolution. The museum opened its doors on August 10, 1793 and is now known as the world’s largest art museum. With more than 35,000 works of art in eight different departments. Beautiful masterpieces from antiquity to about the middle of the 18th century from different cultures across Europe.
The Louvre museum is the cultural symbol of Paris with a number of world famous works of art such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci or the Venus de Milo. The works of art cover a history period of no less than 5000 years. The Louvre is also the most visited museum in the world, receiving more than 10 million visitors every year.
3. What you must see in the Louvre: unmissable works of art
– The Mona Lisa, the famous painting by Leonardo da Vinci, is of course not to be missed. One of the most famous works of art in the world, it attracts millions of visitors to the Louvre each year.
– Another must-see work at the Louvre is the Venus de Milo, a statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Created in the 2nd century BC and is considered a symbol of classical beauty.
– There is also the Winged Victory of Samothrace, a statue of the goddess Nike. Dating back to the 2nd century BC, this statue is a wonderful example of Hellenistic art.
– Finally The Raft of the Medusa, a painting by Théodore Géricault from 1819. This painting is one of the most impressive examples of French Romanticism and tells the story of a shipwreck in which many people died.
4. Practical tips for visiting the Louvre
– Thursday is usually the best day to visit the Louvre museum. Avoid visiting during the weekend.
– Plan the day and time of your visit to the Louvre well in advance. During peak hours (11am to 4pm) it can be very busy. So come as early as possible in the morning or towards the end of the day, then it is also a bit quieter in the museum.
– Make a list in advance of what you want to see. The Louvre has different sections with art collections from certain periods or areas and there are also a number of temporary exhibitions to admire. Choose certain departments or you can consider only visiting the highlights such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.
– A map is available at the box office to make your visit as smooth as possible. Be sure to take advantage of this.
– Did you know that the Louvre museum has several entrances? In addition to the main entrance, there are 3 other entrances that are often much less busy. Therefore, choose the entrances Passage Richelieu, Porte des Lions or Carrousel du Louvre.
– Do you want to do some shopping before or after your visit to the Louvre? This is possible at the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping center with beautiful handbags, perfumes, clothing and nice gadgets.
– Are you planning to visit several museums in Paris? The Paris Museum Pass offers access to 60 museums in and around Paris. You then have direct and unlimited access for 2, 4 or 6 days.
5. Opening hours of the Louvre museum in Paris
The opening hours of the Louvre are every day from 9am to 6pm. The museum is open longer on Fridays. Closed on Tuesday. Good to know: the museum is closed annually on 1 January, 1 May, 8 May and 25 December.
Below is an overview of the opening times of the Louvre:
• Monday: 9 am – 6 pm
• Closed on Tuesday
• Wednesday: 9 am – 6 pm
• Thursday: 9 am – 6 pm
• Friday: 9am – 9.45pm
• Saturday: 9 am – 6 pm
• Sunday: 9 am – 6 pm
Visiting the Louvre glass pyramid in Paris is a must-do during your Paris city trip. It is best to buy tickets for a visit to the glass pyramid of the Louvre in advance to avoid waiting times. Enjoy a visit to the Louvre museum in Paris with these tips. Discover here the other highlights in Paris that you should not miss.
Frequently asked questions about the Louvre museum in Paris & tickets
Where can I buy tickets for the Louvre in Paris?
You can buy tickets to visit the Louvre in Paris at the box office. Entrance tickets can also be ordered online in advance and this way you can also avoid the queues.
How much does an entrance ticket to the Louvre cost?
The price for a ticket for the Louvre with a fixed entry time starts at 17€ per person. You can also opt for guided tours with a guide.
What are the opening hours of the Louvre?
Opening hours of the Louvre: every day from 9am to 6pm. The museum is open longer on Fridays. Closed on Tuesday. Good to know: the Louvre museum is closed annually on January 1, May 1, May 8 and December 25.
What is the address of the Louvre in Paris?
The Louvre Museum is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
Is the Louvre free to visit?
The museum is free to visit for everyone under the age of 18, for young adults up to the age of 26 from the European Union and also for the disabled.
Is the Louvre free on Sunday?
Admission to the Louvre is free every first Sunday of the month from October to March.
