Louvre Museum

World's Largest Art Museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris stands as one of Europe’s most visited cultural landmarks. Its glass pyramid entrance draws crowds eager to see iconic artworks like the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. The museum spans centuries, displaying everything from ancient artifacts to European masterpieces. Located near the Seine River, it sits within a historic palace complex that once served as royal residence. Visitors experience curated galleries across multiple floors, each telling stories through paintings, sculptures and objects collected worldwide over generations.

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Museum in Paris

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$	Cheap
$$	Medium
$$$	Expensive, upscale
$$$+	Very expensive, luxury

Safety: 7.8

General Safety:	8
Accessibility:	7

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5/5

English is widely spoken in the Louvre and the surrounding tourist areas, making it easy for international visitors to communicate and navigate the museum.

Highlights Description Getting there Hotels Tips Safety Articles

Last update: 12 Oct 2026

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Louvre Museum Summary

World-class for art history and famous masterpieces. Walk vast galleries to see iconic paintings, sculptures and treasures from ancient civilizations.

Opening hours:

Mon:	09:00 - 18:00
Tue:	Closed
Wed:	09:00 - 21:00
Thu:	09:00 - 18:00
Fri:	09:00 - 21:00
Sat-Sun:	09:00 - 18:00

Public website:

www.louvre.fr

France – Quick facts

Guide Etiquette Holidays Other

Power Grid:	230 V, 50 Hz Plug: Type C , Type E Type C: Type E: Read about power adapters
Currency:	Euro (EUR) £1 ≈ €1.19
Cashless info:	Rating 5/5 Cashless payments are widely accepted, especially in cities and tourist areas. Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers:	Best value: Saily Flexibility: Airalo Read our in-depth comparison

Tipping:	Tipping is optional but appreciated in restaurants (5-10%) and for exceptional service.
Public drinking:	Public drinking is allowed in designated areas, but restrictions apply in some cities.
Public smoking:	Smoking is banned in indoor public spaces but common in outdoor cafes.

Bastille Day (July)	Parades and fireworks occur nationwide.
Easter (March/April)	Cultural celebrations and closures.
Christmas (December)	Markets and festive events.

Emergency contact:	Emergency Numbers: 112 (EU emergency), 15 (Ambulance), 17 (Police), 18 (Fire)
Taxi apps:	Uber, Bolt, Heetch
Other:	France offers diverse experiences, from art and culture to nature and cuisine. Be cautious in crowded areas.

Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Louvre Museum, France

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High season:	May - Sep.
Shoulder season:	March - April, Oct., Dec.

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Closed Tuesdays; open Wednesday to Monday, late opening on Friday evenings

Timed tickets required, booking ahead essential, Mona Lisa room is the most crowded

Free entry on the first Friday evening of the month for visitors under 26 only, with long queues

Don't miss

🖼️ Admire the enigmatic Mona Lisa’s famous smile
🕊️ Marvel at the Winged Victory of Samothrace sculpture
🏺 Explore the Egyptian Antiquities and ancient artifacts

You've been here?

The Louvre Museum, located in the heart of Paris, began as a royal palace dating back to the 12th century. Today it is a sprawling cultural landmark that houses nearly 35,000 works of art across 72,735 square meters of exhibition space, making it the largest art museum on the planet.

The museum's collection covers everything from ancient Egyptian relics and Greek sculptures to Renaissance masterpieces and contemporary art. Among the globally renowned pieces are Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The museum’s architecture itself is a mix of medieval, classical and modern styles centered around the iconic glass pyramid entrance.

Visiting the Louvre requires planning due to its massive size and popularity. Crowds can be overwhelming, particularly at key exhibits and lines for security and tickets can be long without prior reservation. The layout can be confusing, so many visitors benefit from guided tours or a clear itinerary. Audio guides have mixed reviews; some find them invaluable while others find them inadequate or problematic.

Despite these challenges, the Louvre offers an unrivaled cultural experience and a chance to immerse oneself in humanity’s artistic and historical heritage in one spectacular venue.

Knowledge before you go

Book timed tickets online to skip entry lines.
Enter via underground Carrousel du Louvre avoiding surface queues and weather.
Visit early morning at 9 AM or late Wednesday/Friday for fewer crowds around masterpieces.
Explore quieter Sully Wing antiquities and medieval Louvre foundations before popular paintings.

How to travel to Louvre Museum

Visitors typically fly into Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport and then use public transit or taxis to reach central Paris. The Louvre is easily accessible by metro lines 1 and 7, stopping at Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre station. Walking from nearby central neighborhoods is also popular.

Access summary

From Charles de Gaulle (CDG): RER B then Metro to Palais Royal, 45–70 minutes.
From central Paris hotels: Metro to Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre, about 10–25 minutes.
From London/Brussels: Eurostar to Gare du Nord, then Metro/RER, roughly 30–45 minutes.

Check your route from anywhere

Where to stay near Louvre Museum

Paris offers a wide range of accommodations from luxury hotels near the Louvre to boutique guesthouses and more affordable options scattered throughout the city, providing convenient access to the museum and other attractions.

Hotel recommendations

*by rating and popularity. Commissions have no influence on the rankings.

The People Paris Marais

8.7

Hotel Tourisme Avenue

9.0

Pullman Paris Tour Eiffel

8.5

Mayflower Paris Opera

8.7

Citadines Les Halles Paris

8.7

Citadines Tour Eiffel Paris

Novotel Paris Centre Tour Eiffel Hotel

8.1

Le Grand Hotel de Normandie

8.3

Explore more accommodations

Packing recommendations for Louvre Museum

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Camera

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Comfortable walking shoes

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Reusable water bottle

Universal travel adaptor

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Credit card with no foreign transaction fees

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Safety information overview

General safety

The Louvre Museum in Paris is generally very safe, with extensive security staff, CCTV and controlled access points. Pickpocketing remains a concern on surrounding streets, so keep valuables secure. Follow museum guidelines, stay alert and avoid unattended bags.

Accessibility

The Louvre offers many accessibility features: elevators, ramps, wheelchair‑friendly routes and accessible restrooms. Guided tours in Braille and audio guides are available. However, crowds can block pathways and some older galleries lack full access, so plan visits during quieter hours.