Along with the Acropolis Museum in Athens, the British Museum in London, and the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, the Louvre is one of the most renowned museums in the world. Anywhere you go, people are bound to recognize the ornate glass pyramid and the artwork housed within.
The Louvre is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris, which makes it one of the busiest places in the city. In 2019, nearly 10 million visitors attended the Louvre.
If you are planning on gazing at the Mona Lisa and taking in the beauty of the Winged Victory of Samothrace, you’re going to need to do some planning. Trust us, the Louvre is one place you don’t want to sleep on.
Louvre Museum Hours and Opening Times
Before you plan anything else, you need to know the Louvre museum hours. Luckily for you, the Louvre is open nearly every day of the year from 9:00 A.M. to 6:00 P.M., except on Tuesdays – when the museum is closed. The museum also has a night opening on Wednesdays and Fridays where the museum stays open until 9:45 P.M.
- Monday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 p.m
- Thursday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
- Friday: 9:00 a.m. – 9:45 p.m
- Saturday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
- Sunday: 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m
Keep in mind that the Louvre is closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
Pro Tip: If you can, try to visit the Louvre in the evening for a more intimate experience. It’s typically less busy; giving you a chance to view the exhibits longer.
Our Best Versailles and Paris Louvre Tours
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Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour with Mona Lisa
The Louvre is the largest art museum on Earth and the crowning jewel of Paris, which is why it’s on everyone’s bucket list. Don’t miss out on an incredible opportunity! Join a passionate guide for a tour of the most famous artwork at the Louvre. Skip-the-line admissions included.
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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 stress over the logistics? Meet a local guide in central Paris who will purchase your train tickets and ensure you get off at the right stop. Then enjoy a guided tour of the palace and the unforgettable gardens. Skip-the-line admissions included to the palace and gardens.
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Not ready to book a tour? Check out Paris Guide for more resources.
Louvre Prices for Admission
There are two ways to purchase your Musée du Louvre tickets: online and in-person.
If you purchase your tickets online, they’re 17€ and they allow you to skip the queue at the ticket offices. Online tickets also grant you access to the less busy Passage Richelieu entrance.
If you prefer, you can also purchase your tickets at the museum for 15€.
Please keep in mind that tickets are valid only for the chosen date and time. If you miss your window, you’ll have to repurchase your tickets.
What is included with a ticket to the Louvre?
A lot of people make the mistake of purchasing extra tickets for the Musée Eugène-Delacroix (€7 each).
If you have already purchased tickets to the Louvre museum, your ticket also gives you same-day access to the temporary exhibitions and free admission to the Musée Eugène-Delacroix if you go within 48 hours of purchasing your Louvre tickets.
Can I visit the museum for free?
Admission is free for all visitors on the first Saturday of each month from 6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and on Bastille Day 14 July.
If you are under 25 years old and a resident of the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein), you have free admission to the main museum year-round.
On Friday evenings from 6:00 p.m. to 9:45 p.m., admission to the museum is free for all visitors under the age of 26 regardless of country of residence.
How Do I Enter
There are three ways to enter the Louvre:
- The glass pyramid
- Carrousel du Louvre
- Passage Richelieu
Almost everyone who visits the museum passes through the big glass pyramid and for good reason because it’s beautiful and it’s also the most recognizable Louvre entrance. But it’s not necessarily the best way to enter.
You can go through the Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping/restaurant area that connects to the pyramid. Access it by taking the “Palais Royale-Musee du Louvre” metro stop on line 1 and 7 or from Rue de Rivoli at number 99.
New to Paris’ public transportation? We wrote a how-to guide on The Paris Metro and Public Transportation.
If you have the Paris Pass or the Paris Museum Pass, you can enter through the Passage Richelieu, just off of the Rue de Rivoli across from the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre métro station. The security checkpoint here is usually shorter. This entrance is available for single and group ticket holders.
Did you know? There used to be a fourth entrance called Porte des Lions, but it was closed in 2019.
Booking Guided Louvre Tours
While the Musée du Louvre is wonderful if you venture it by yourself or with friends, the historical value is often lost on people. That’s because the museum doesn’t do a good job of explaining the significance of its pieces.
Join a small group tour or take a private tour of the museum to guarantee you’re never lost, skip all of the lines, and be guided by a professional historian who shares detailed stories about individual artworks.
Have you ever wondered why Mona Lisa is smiling? Or what happened to the French Crown Jewels after they were stolen by rioters? With the Secrets of the Louvre Museum Tour, you’ll learn answers to these questions and more.
Still craving more information on the Louvre? Check out our video on the top 10 things to see while you’re there: