Who should go on a guided tour of the Louvre? Everyone! The Louvre in Paris is the largest museum on Earth and contains an immense amount of important artwork from around the world—it even houses 25% of all Da Vinci paintings. Visiting is a must but don’t be fooled—there’s more to seeing the Louvre than looking at the collection. In this article, we share the best Louvre tours to take and why.
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Should You Take a Louvre Tour?
Yes! The Louvre is the largest single-complex museum in the world and houses one of the most impressive collections in the world. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, the museum is filled with famous works of art to see today.
A solo trip to the museum can be overwhelming, but there are plenty of great guided Louvre tours to help you fully appreciate the history and importance of the treasures within.
You can join a Louvre tour with no more than 15 people, which elevates the experience so much. Take it from a former tour guide, a smaller group makes it easier for the tour guide, which in turn makes it better for you. Don’t trust us, trust the reviews!
A museum of this calibre deserves in-depth exploration. You may not have the time to see the best of the Louvre on your own or the knowledge of a passionate tour guide to get the most from your Louvre visit. No problem!
We’ve created several top Louvre tours that include skip-the-line tickets but provide different durations and varying experiences from fewer crowds to customizable group sizes. See which tour is right for you.
1. Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa
With skip-the-line tickets, you can breeze past the queues in our popular Louvre Museum tour, discover the mystery behind Mona Lisa’s smile, and experience one of the world’s greatest art collections accompanied by a passionate and knowledgeable guide. You won’t get overwhelmed with all the art since you’ll see the best pieces with your guide!
You’ll be led through a 3-hour tour of the Louvre and get a detailed look at the Mona Lisa with a guide well-versed in her history. You’ll also see the Louvre’s beautiful sculptures, such as the famous Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
A former royal palace, a visit to the Louvre would be incomplete without seeing the crown jewels of France. In this tour, you’ll get up close and personal to these precious royal jewels on display in the Louvre’s Galerie d’Apollon. They are a glittering spectacle you won’t want to miss.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Louvre Guide for more resources.
2. Semi-Private Tour of the Louvre Museum’s Treasures
Prefer to tour a museum with a smaller group at a lower price than a private tour? This is the tour for you. With a maximum of six people on your tour, you’ll have a chance to interact more with your guide.
As the world’s largest museum, the Louvre can be overwhelming to visit, which is why going with a guide is an absolute must. They’ll take you on a journey from Greek and Roman statues to the Renaissance period and beyond. The most important works by Raphael, da Vinci, and more are what you’ll see and understand as you listen to the stories behind them.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our Louvre Guide for more resources.
3. Louvre at Closing Time Tour with Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo
This one is special. Seeing the Louvre in the late afternoon before closing time with fewer crowds makes for one of the most unique experiences you can have in Paris. In this 2-hour tour, you’ll skip the line and head into the Louvre before closing time for a more peaceful experience in one of the world’s greatest museums.
Your art-loving guide will bring you through the fascinating history behind the Mona Lisa and the famed Louvre sculptures. There’s a lot to see in France’s national museum, and you’re going to want to see it all. If that sounds good to you, then the Louvre at Closing Time tour is for you.
Want to check three items off your Paris bucket list in one day? You can on our Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower day tour. Meet your guide at the Louvre, skip the notoriously long lines, and explore some of the world’s most important works of art. You’ll hear stories of intrigue and history as you walk through the fortress-turned-museum to see Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Greek statue Winged Victory of Samothrace, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and many more.
Take to the river Seine for a different perspective of Paris as you cruise past the Louvre, Musée d’Orsay, Notre Dame, and more of the city’s top sights. And finally, the moment every visitor to Paris awaits—a visit to the iconic Eiffel Tower. Skip the line, head to the elevator, and enjoy the incredible views from 377 feet up on the second floor. It’s truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Highlights:
6.5-hour tour
Skip-the-line tickets and guided tour of the Louvre
1-hour guided riverboat cruise on the Seine
Skip-the-line elevator tickets to the Eiffel Tower second floor
2. Private Louvre Tour in Paris with Skip the Line Tickets
In Paris with a generous budget? Want to see the museum on your terms? Our private tour of the Louvre is a great way to geek out at the museum with an interesting and cool guide. Your knowledgeable and English-speaking guide will focus on what interests you and spend more time where you have the most questions.
In this 3-hour private tour, you skip the line for an intimate tour of the Louvre with just your group and your guide. The private tour is perfect for anyone interested in a highly-personalized experience, for anyone with limited mobility, or for anyone wanting an in-depth understanding of the world’s most impressive museum and the history of these great works of art.
Privileged Access Eiffel Night Tour with Seine River Cruise
Sometimes the most amazing moments happen by chance. Other times, they are orchestrated by professionals. In this case, you’ll have an evening to remember as you cruise the Seine for an hour, sipping champagne and taking in the sites like Notre-Dame, the Louvre, and more. Afterwards, follow your guide past the long lines and take the elevator to the Eiffel Tower’s second floor for an unforgettable view.
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Skip the Line Palace of Versailles and Gardens Tour from Paris
Versailles isn’t that difficult to get to by train, but why deal with the stress on your own? Our guide will meet you in central Paris, purchase your train tickets, and ensure you get off at the right stop in Versailles. With skip-the-line tickets, you’ll bypass the crowds and get right into this incredible palace as your guide explains the most incredible (and controversial) history of France’s favorite palace.
Not ready to book a tour? Check out our helpful Paris Guide for more resources.
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Sean is a co-founder and owner of The Tour Guy and its subsidiary The Roman Guy. He studied finance and statistics, but that is his "Dr. Jekyll" side! His "Mr. Hyde" is in love with travel, art, history, and culture. Sean has read libraries of historical text and believes that all internet content should come from books. A practice he follows!
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