With nearly 35,000 objects on display at any given time, the Louvre can be overwhelming, and deciding how to approach the world’s most visited art collection is a daunting task for first-time visitors. With over 20 years of experience navigating this incredible collection, here are some tips for getting the most out of your visit.
Louvre Museum Map
It would take weeks to see all of the Louvre’s collections, so it’s best to go in with a plan. The Louvre’s famous masterpieces like the “Mona Lisa,” “Venus de Milo,” and “Winged Victory of Samothrace” tend to be easily found with signs pointing in their direction. However, if you have a particular must-see list of artworks, the museum provides an online map that you can consult ahead of time to plan your route.
Louvre Museum Skip the Line Tickets
General admission costs €15 if you purchase at the museum. However, this also means you’ll likely be waiting in a long ticket queue upon arrival.
For just €2 more you can purchase tickets in advance online which grants you quick entry to the museum (less than 30 minutes).
Louvre Museum Opening Hours
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, so plan your trip accordingly.
On all other days of the week, the museum opens at 9 a.m. Closing time is 6 p.m. (various wings and the cloakroom will start to close at 5:30 p.m.), except for Wednesdays and Fridays when there are evening hours that extend to 9:45 p.m.
How to skip the line at the Louvre Museum
If you have a pre-purchased ticket, you will not be required to wait in any ticket line. All Context Louvre tours include a pre-purchased ticket.
Please note, there is a security check through which all visitors to the museum are required to pass, and there is sometimes a line for this.
Beating the Crowds at the Louvre Museum
As the most visited museum in the world, crowds at the Louvre can be smothering. The best time to visit the Louvre is on Wednesday and Friday evenings when the museum is open until 9:45 pm. Experience the museum with fewer people and less noise. (You can even check out our evening tour at the Louvre.)
If a nighttime visit won’t fit in your itinerary, the general rule of thumb is to go later in the day, once the large tour groups are gone.
Guided Tours at the Louvre Museum
For a guided approach, Context offers a variety of private and small group offerings.Crash Course Louvre Tour: A three-hour tour led by an expert art historian. The tour will start on the exterior of the museum, continuing inside to the Classical Antiquities wing, known for its collection of Egyptian, Greek, and Roman artifacts and sculptures. The visit continues through the Denon Wing, featuring masterpieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Veronese. The tour also spends time with the French Masters, learning about the late 18th- and early 19th-century rival art movements of Neoclassicism.