Eight centuries of palace and a collection that spans millennia.
The Louvre began as a medieval fortress and became a royal palace before opening as a museum in 1793. Its glass pyramid leads down to the main hall, and the collection runs from ancient Egypt and Greece to European paintings, including the Mona Lisa.
Mona LisaTimed entryClosed Tuesdays
Essential details
Quick facts
Ticket price: Paid admission; check the official site for current prices and free-entry groups.
Hours: Open daily except Tuesday; late opening on some evenings. Check hours.
Recommended visit: 3 to 4 hours, or choose two or three wings.
Getting there
Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.
Nearest transport: Metro line 1 or 7 to Palais Royal - Musee du Louvre.
On foot: The Tuileries Garden is a short walk away.
Accessibility & comfort
Access: Lifts and wheelchair loans are available; the palace is large.
Crowds: Very busy mid-morning; early or late openings are calmer.
Facilities: Cafes, shops, cloakroom, and restrooms.
How to fit Louvre Museum into your day
Morning: Arrive at opening with a timed ticket.
Midday: Lunch in the Tuileries or Palais Royal.
Afternoon: Walk through the gardens toward Place de la Concorde.
Before you go
Book a timed entry slot online before you go.
Pick a few works rather than trying to see everything.
Enter by the Carrousel or Passage Richelieu if the pyramid queue is long.
