What to Know Before Visiting the Louvre in 2026 (+ Tips!)

Are you looking at visiting the Louvre on your upcoming Paris trip? This guide details everything you need to know, including Louvre travel tips, ticket info, best tours, and more!

Throughout this guide, you will find answers to all of your questions (well, I hope) about the Musée du Louvre!

I dive into how to skip the line, where to enter the museum, and even how to see the Mona Lisa without waiting in that notoriously long line.

If I missed anything or you have additional questions about planning your Louvre visit, let me know in the comments. Please note that this guide is written for first-time visitors and those who have never set foot inside before. Thanks!

Quick Louvre Museum Facts

The Louvre and its galleries cover around 15 acres, making it the world’s largest museum. Previously, the museum was a fortress as well as a royal palace before opening as an art museum in 1793 (with merely 537 paintings). Today, it boasts more than 480,000 pieces of artwork.

The Louvre’s iconic pyramid (there are five, but talking about the main one that comes to mind) was designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei in 1983.

This renowned museum is the most-visited art museum on the planet and is also the most-visited museum as a whole.

Before the pandemic, the Louvre was getting around 45,000 visitors daily, but the museum has capped that number these days to around 30,000 people. Around 60% of those 30,000 people are first-time visitors.

I find it so cool that people visit the Louvre more than once when in Paris (I was one of them!) because you can always discover something new inside, whether it is exhibits you previously couldn’t make it to or new ones passing through.

My latest visit was to see the Islamic Silk Road art coming over from Uzbekistan (it was remarkable but sadly no longer there!), but I wandered through the entire museum as though I were visiting for the first time.

Layout of the Louvre

There are three wings at the Louvre: the Denon Wing, Sully Wing, and Richelieu Wing.

These three main areas are where you’ll find most of the visitors (with Denon being the most popular), and it is best to map out your Louvre trip beforehand to not miss anything you want to see:

The Denon Wing: This wing is the main entrance to the museum and houses some of the most famous and popular exhibits, such as the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Apollo Gallery. It also includes galleries devoted to Italian and French painting, as well as Islamic art.

The Richelieu Wing: This wing is located to the north of the Denon Wing and contains decorative arts, including furniture, ceramics, and tapestries, as well as prints and drawings, ancient sculptures, and medieval and Renaissance art.

The Sully Wing: This wing is located to the east of the Denon Wing and houses the museum’s oldest collections, including Egyptian and Near Eastern art, Greek and Roman antiquities, and medieval art.

Things That Are a Must-See at the Louvre

If you’re looking for the best things to do at the Louvre (and the best exhibits to see!), here are some of the favorites.

The Great Sphinx of Tanis

I am a huge fan of Egyptian art, and this is located in the Egyptian Antiquities area of the museum in the Sully Wing in Room 12. It dates back to 664-525 BC (the 26th dynasty).

The Great Sphinx of Tanis is over 4 meters tall and constructed with pink granite. Experts believe that it is supposed to depict Pharaoh Amenemhat II.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace

This sculpture is of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace is located in the Denon Wing at the top of the Daru staircase.

The 2-meter-tall statue is world-famous for being a Hellenistic masterpiece, and it is worth checking out on your Louvre visit!

The Mona Lisa

What kind of list would this be without putting the most iconic painting, the Mona Lisa, on it? This Leonardo da Vinci artwork is one of the world’s most famous, and it is located in the Denon Wing on the museum’s first floor in Room 711.

There are plenty of signs throughout the entire museum pointing you in that direction! You will, without a doubt, experience a line to see the Mona Lisa.

This famous painting depicts a woman who is believed to be Lisa Gherardini and is over 500 years old. It is one of the most recognizable symbols of Renaissance art.

I have never had enough patience to wait in line to see it up close, as I think there are many other famous paintings in the Louvre equally deserving of a visit, but if you’re going to travel all the way to Paris, I reckon the wait is worth it.

The Raft of the Medusa

The Raft of the Medusa is a renowned painting by Théodore Géricault, a French artist, that depicts people struggling to survive a wreck on the ship Méduse.

It is considered a masterpiece of French Romanticism and can be found in the Denon Wing in Room 77.

Venus de Milo

Located in the Sully Wing in Room 16 is the Venus de Milo, an ancient Greek sculpture that showcases Aphrodite (Venus). It is believed to date back to 130-100 BC. The statue is also referred to as the Aphrodite of Milos and is 2 meters tall.

Louvre Ticket Options

Skip-the-Line Tickets

If you’re looking to secure your Louvre tickets, it is best to do so in advance. Click here for more information.

Those under 18 years old (with ID) can access the museum for free. Those who are 26 and younger and are residents of an EEA country can also get tickets to the Louvre for free.

Free entry is also permitted for art teachers, artists affiliated with the Maison des Artistes or AIAP, ICOM/ICOMOS members, journalists (with national or international press cards), job seekers, people in income support, and disabled visitors (as well as the person accompanying them).

Here are the best options for purchasing a guided tour and ticket to the Louvre in advance:

• Guided tour of the Louvre (offered in 6 different languages)
• Mona Lisa skip-the-line ticket (this is for those who don’t want to wait to see the Mona Lisa)

Please note that if you opt to take your chances and buy a ticket at the Louvre on the spot, they no longer take cash as payment, so have your card ready. A general admission ticket is €22 for EEA residents and €32 for non-EEA residents in 2026.

Also, it is good to know that you cannot re-enter the museum on the same ticket if you have exited with it (unless you purchase a ticket that allows multiple entries).

Your ticket to the Louvre Museum gives you access to all permanent and temporary exhibits in the Louvre and the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix if you visit within 48 hours of first use of your ticket (otherwise the museum is €9). The Tuileries Gardens are free to visit.

Guided Tour Options

You have a few options when going to the Louvre; you can do so independently or with a guided tour. I have only ever gone independently and created my own Louvre self-guided tour as I don’t like to be rushed, but now I wish I had gone with an actual tour guide so I knew a bit more about what I was looking at (and could ask questions)!

Taking a guided tour of the Louvre allows you to hit up the most famous paintings (and sculptures!) in the Louvre while gathering insight and knowledge behind each of them.

It also means that you won’t have to spend hours scouring around the vast museum trying to find your way to those pieces of art!

You will get priority access with your skip-the-line ticket and will be able to spend 2 hours with an expert to learn more about what you’re seeing.

The tour is offered in six different languages – including English, Spanish, Italian, German, French, and Portuguese.

Some of the highlights of the Louvre tour include seeing Napoleon’s apartment decor, the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Egyptian sphinx and mummies.

If you already have a ticket to the museum or are a museum pass holder, you can book this cheaply. The tour also includes a headset.

Planning Your First Trip to the Louvre

Best Time to Visit

The Louvre is going to be packed, no matter what time you visit. It is currently a timed entry situation there, so it is managed as efficiently as possible for a place that gets tens of thousands of visitors daily.

With that said, the best time to visit the Louvre is in the morning (most people arrive mid-morning), late afternoon, or early evening.

If you’re looking to visit during the summer, expect the museum to be at its busiest. Therefore, it is best to visit during the off-season, from November until March.

The best days of the week to visit the Louvre are typically Wednesdays and Thursdays. Fridays offer extended hours, so it is also a great option for those looking to visit!

Opening Hours (and Dates)

I will state this first because it is the most important piece of information: THE LOUVRE IS CLOSED ON TUESDAYS. If you book a tour or ticket in advance, you will learn this easily.

The opening hours for the Louvre in 2026 are:

• Monday: 9am-6pm
• Tuesday: CLOSED
• Wednesday: 9am-9pm
• Thursday: 9am-6pm
• Friday: 9am-9pm
• Saturday: 9am-6pm
• Sunday: 9am-6pm

The last entry into the museum is one hour before closing, and the museum starts to clear the rooms and galleries 30 minutes before closing.

The Louvre Museum is closed on the following days:

• January 1
• May 1
• December 25
• Any public holiday that falls on a Tuesday (if it falls on any other day of the week, the Louvre remains open)

How to Get to the Louvre Museum

The Louvre is super-centralized in Paris, and you can reach it by walking, car, metro, bus, taxi, or even on a bike! Please do note that if you book a tour, you will most likely be meeting your tour guide and group at the Louvre and will need to make your way there yourself.

By Metro

If you’re taking the metro to the Louvre, you must get off at Pyramides (Line 14) or Palais-Royal/Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7).

These are the closest Louvre metro stations to get off at, but you can easily take it to some other stations nearby and walk (and with fewer crowds).

By Bus

Several buses also take visitors to the Louvre. You can reach the Louvre by bus numbers 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, or 95. 

By Taxi

You can also reach the Louvre by taxi. I take Bolt and Uber around Paris, so that is how I tend to get around when I am not too lazy to walk… but there are also taxi stands in several places that will be a bit more expensive, but with less wait time.

If you’re taking a taxi to the Louvre, it is best to get dropped off at the Carrousel roundabout area and picked up at Place André Malraux.

The area is very crowded, so this can be a bit stressful. I recommend walking away from the museum area a bit and catching a cab with an app.

By Car (+ Parking Info)

If you’re coming by car, there is a car park located underground at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier. This will take you to the Carrousel entrance. The Louvre car park is open 24/7. Those with disabilities will get a reduced rate.

One hour of parking is around €6.25 and a day pass is €56.25. You can get a discount if you reserve your parking online ahead of time. Click here to reserve or see more about parking at the Louvre.

Louvre Entrances

There are 4 entrances to the Louvre. They are as follows:

• Pyramid
• Carrousel (99 Rue de Rivoli)
• Richelieu (Rue de Rivoli)
• Porte des Lions (Quai François Mitterrand)

Once there, you will find 4 queues for visitors:

• Visitors without tickets
• Visitors with tickets
• Visitors with membership cards
• Priority access (this includes staff and disabled visitors)

You’ll be able to grab a map in your desired language around the entrance area as well.

Do note that the English ones are often out, so if you don’t have the patience to wait around for them to get restocked, download the museum app or a guide beforehand on the Louvre’s official website.

If you’re looking to figure out the best Louvre entrance for you, here are some quick notes:

• Visiting without a ticket: Pyramid
• Visiting with a ticket: Pyramid, Carrousel, Porte des Lions
• Visiting in a wheelchair: Pyramid
• Visiting with a stroller/pram: Pyramid, Carrousel
• Visiting with a membership card: Richelieu
• Visiting with a larger group: Richelieu

Museum Accessibility Information

The Louvre Museum is accessible to all guests, but you do need to plan a bit if you have disabilities or impairments. Please read more on the museum’s official website.

Physical Disabilities

The only entrance that is accessible for those in wheelchairs is the Pyramid entrance. You will get priority access once you get to the queues to enter the museum (and those accompanying you will also get priority access). You can, technically, go through the Carrousel entrance, but it is a bit more complicated to locate the elevators.

If you are visiting the Louvre and are not wheelchair-bound but have mobility issues, the museum lends out wheelchairs, folding chairs, and canes free of charge.

Inquire at the Help Desk (it is located below the Pyramid). Canes with metal tips are not permitted at the Louvre. All restrooms are accessible to all.

Visually Impaired

The Louvre offers an escort service for visitors with visual impairments. They will also escort you from the nearest metro stop to the museum. To find out more, visit the info desk below the Pyramid.

There are a few dedicated spaces within the museum that offer additional aids for those with visual impairments; you will find tactile devices in the Islamic Art collections, for example.

Hearing Impaired

The museum offers hearing loops for those with assistive listening devices. You can find them below the Pyramid.

Helpful Tips for Visiting the Louvre

I have visited the Louvre multiple times, and here are some of my top Louvre tips to make your trip a success!

1. Wear comfortable walking shoes. This seems like the most repetitive thing to tell travelers over and over on my guides, but I seriously cannot stress this enough! This museum is HUGE, and you will do a lot of walking.

2. Download the museum map beforehand. You can always grab one when there, but the English-language one was out every time I checked for it.

I grabbed the German version, which was fine, but it would have been much easier to have downloaded the museum map on my phone in the first place.

Museum maps are available in seven languages if you get one at the museum. You can download the online version here.

3. Don’t bring a lot of stuff with you. There are lockers on-site, but they are not huge, and bringing a lot of stuff will only be more annoying than anything else. Also, don’t bring too many heavy things around the museum with you, or you’ll be stuck toting them around all day.

4. As noted above, book your ticket and time slot at the Louvre ahead of time.

The museum is packed during the high season (and even in the low season), and this ensures you a spot on your desired day.

5. If you want to purchase souvenirs from the Louvre, you can do so at the shop and library in the museum.

However, if you have limited luggage space, you can order many things online at the official Louvre boutique shop! While they do not ship to every country, they do ship to several, so be sure to check online beforehand.

6. Be sure to visit the Tuileries Gardens. These gardens are free and exquisite!

They are open in the low season (January, February, March, November, and December) from 7:30am-7:30pm. In April, May, September, and October, they are open from 7am-9pm.

During the summer months of June, July, and August, they are open for extended hours from 7am-11pm. These times are subject to change on public holidays.

7. Many people do not realize that the Louvre ticket is a combined ticket with the Musée Eugène-Delacroix. You will have access to this museum located at 6 Rue de Furstenberg within 48 hours of the first use of the ticket. It is worth checking out!

8. Forego lunch at the restaurants and cafes at the Louvre. I think it is best to eat before coming or to bring your own snacks (including water!) with you.

While you can’t eat in the galleries themselves, there are plenty of benches and spaces throughout where you can snack and not pay an arm and a leg for food and drinks.

9. Beware of pickpocketers in the museum and the metro stations nearby.

I have only ever had an issue at the Eiffel Tower metro stops, but I do know it is a common thing in most public areas in Paris (and all larger cities around the world).

10. There is a security checkpoint, of course, at the Louvre. I find that the Carrousel entrance tends to be the best place to go through, as I have never had to wait in line long at this entrance.

11. There is WiFi at the Louvre for those who do not have service or an EU data plan. Just connect to ‘Louvre_Wifi_Gratuit‘ when you’re inside.

12. Rooms like the one the Mona Lisa is in (Room 711 in the Denon Wing) are best visited later in the day.

While I don’t encourage you to just show up for an hour before closing, I do think it is best to plan the lesser-visited areas of the museum (ie. Richelieu Wing) during the afternoon and head to the popular places in the Denon Wing later in the day.

Visiting the Louvre FAQ

Can you change your Louvre ticket time?

If you’ve purchased tickets to the Louvre and need to change your ticket time or postpone the date, you can do so directly on the website (under the ‘My Orders’ tab) where you purchased them, or with Get Your Guide (where I purchased mine from!).

Be sure to wait for your newly confirmed ticket to ensure everything works and is saved in the system.

Can you bring food with you?

Yes, you can bring water and small snacks inside with you. But do not eat them in the gallery rooms or around any of the artwork, of course. You can also check out the restaurant in the mezzanine of the Louvre if you fail to bring something!

I would recommend bringing a water bottle and filling it up once inside, rather than toting around plastic water bottles. France is pretty good about having water fountains dispersed in public areas, and even in museums like the Louvre.

Do you need to buy tickets in advance?

Technically, no. But you risk not being able to get one of the few tickets available on-site daily. I would never risk this on a trip to Paris. You can buy your Louvre guided tour and tickets here.

How long do you need?

To be honest, this will vary from person to person. I would recommend at least 3 hours minimum to visit the Louvre. This allows you to still enjoy some of the best day trips from Paris (and half-day trips) like Versailles.

Can you bring backpacks to the museum?

Yes, if it is small. Otherwise, you will need to leave them in the luggage lockers underneath the Pyramid.

Are luggage lockers free there?

Yes, luggage lockers are free, and whatever you store in them must be collected the same day. Items exceeding 55 x 35 x 20 cm will not fit into the lockers and are not permitted inside the museum. Do not bring suitcases to the Louvre.

What is the dress code?

Your usual clothes will be fine. But do realize that the museum is crowded and you may get hot if you wear too much clothing! Also, wear comfortable shoes. You can leave your jacket behind in the lockers if you’re visiting Paris in winter and don’t want to tote it around.

Can you take pictures inside?

You are permitted to take photos and videos in the Louvre’s permanent collections as long as you are using them for personal reasons. Selfie sticks, flash, or lighting are not permitted inside the museum.

Some temporary exhibits also ban photography and videography. Keep an eye out for signs indicating this!

Can you take pictures of the Mona Lisa?

Yes, you can take a photo of the Mona Lisa. But you will need to wait your turn!

What to Do After Your Visit (+ Nearby Sites)

After you visit the Louvre, you can head over and check out other sites (like the ones listed below). They are all somewhat near the Louvre and warrant a visit on your Paris trip.

• Notre Dame Cathedral (1.4km) – still undergoing a bit of construction but worth the walk over to check it out.
• Musée d’Orsay (1km)
• Tuileries Garden (800m)
• Place Vendôme (950m)
• Palais Garnier (1.3km)

Alternatively, you can partake in something a little different with Airbnb Experiences, where you’ll have a chance to do cool things like neighborhood food walks in the 1st and Le Marais to small-group cooking classes, photography strolls along the Seine, and history walks led by people who actually live in Paris. These experiences tend to be in small groups, so it will be a nice way to unwind after a busy day at the Louvre, which will most definitely be crowded!

Best Hotels Near the Louvre

If you’re looking to stay near the Louvre, you’ll find plenty of accommodation close by. But be warned that this is a very touristy area (and not too far from other main Paris attractions), so it will not be the cheapest area to stay in.

Here are some of the best hotels near the Louvre:

• La Maison Favart (2nd arr.): This hotel is 1.1km from the museum and has a view of the Opera.
• Le Pradey (1st arr.): Located only 0.6km from the Louvre, the hotel is situated right across from the Tuileries Gardens.
• Le Relais Saint Honore (1st arr.): Merely 0.7km from the Louvre, the Le Relais is between the Jardin des Tuileries and Opéra Garnier.
• Hôtel de Lille (7th arr.): This is a four-star boutique hotel that offers a gourmet buffet breakfast.

Did I miss anything you’d like to know about visiting the Louvre? Let me know your Louvre travel tips, questions, concerns, or tricks in the comments! Thanks!

*This site uses affiliate links, meaning that if you make a purchase through my links, I may earn an affiliate commission.