If it’s your first time visiting the Louvre (or even if you have been there before), you might find it helpful to have some essential information about this enormous museum that houses thousands of works of art. At least, that’s what I felt I lacked when I visited it many years ago.
For that reason, I want to share several tips based on my personal experience. It’s by far the hardest museum to navigate in an organized way among all those I’ve visited. With this guide, you’ll be able to make the most of your time and feel less overwhelmed. Let’s dive into these tips to explore one of the best museums in Paris.
Best Days and Times to Avoid Crowds
Choosing the right time for your visit can make or break your experience, either leaving you with fond memories or a sense of frustration from being surrounded by crowds. If you’re hoping to enjoy the artwork more serenely, here are a few tips:
Pick the right day: Mondays and weekends are generally the busiest days. If possible, try to visit between Tuesday and Thursday when there are fewer visitors. Additionally, on Fridays, the museum stays open later (until 9:45 p.m.), making it one of the better times to visit with less hustle and bustle.
Timing matters: The time you arrive is also crucial to dodge the long lines at the entrance. Aim to get there right when it opens, or come a couple of hours before closing if you don’t plan to see everything. Keep in mind that exploring the entire museum could take at least half a day.
Low season: If you can plan your trip flexibly, the best time to visit is between November and March, when there are fewer tourists in the city. This way, you can enjoy the Louvre without the high-season crowds, making it easier to take quality photos.
Buy tickets in advance: One of the best pieces of advice is not to purchase your ticket at the Louvre’s box office. It’s better to buy your ticket online a few days in advance to save time and use it to fully experience the museum.
By the way, be sure to check out my guides for seeing Paris in 3 days and Paris in 4 days to help you plan your Louvre visit efficiently, knowing the day and time you have available.
Buy Louvre Tickets Online
It’s also important to understand the different types of tickets and your purchasing options. Without a doubt, the best strategy is to avoid queuing and buy your Louvre tickets online.
Here are some tips on ticket options:
Buy online: As mentioned earlier, the easiest way to secure your entry to the Louvre is by purchasing tickets online. This way, you skip the long lines that typically form at the museum’s box office.
Ticket types: Several ticket types are available, ranging from general admission to combo tickets. Here’s a list:
- General Admission: The basic ticket purchased at the Louvre’s box office, often requiring you to wait in line.
- Skip-the-line Ticket: A ticket you buy online (here) that grants you direct entry.
- Paris Pass Entry: Grants you free entry without queuing. With the Paris Pass, you can access the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, hop-on-hop-off buses, guided tours, cruises, and more.
- Guided Tour: A tour guide will share the history and fascinating details of the most significant paintings and sculptures.
- Free Admission: Available to all minors and European students aged 18 to 25.
Timed-entry Tickets: These tickets let you enter the museum at a set time, reducing waiting time.
Multi-day Passes: If you plan to visit the Louvre over several days or wish to explore other museums in Paris, consider buying the Paris Museum Pass. It grants access to up to 60 museums over 2, 4, or 6 consecutive days.
Prioritize the Main Artworks in the Museum
The Louvre is one of the world’s largest museums, both in terms of size and the sheer number of artworks—more than 35,000 pieces. Seeing every painting and sculpture would take several days.
Since it’s unlikely that you’ll have enough time during a short tourist visit, prioritize the most famous pieces and, if you have extra time, explore your favorite collections.
Here’s a guide to the museum’s most iconic works:
- The Mona Lisa: The world’s most famous portrait by Leonardo da Vinci, located in the Denon wing. You’ll be mesmerized by the young woman’s enigmatic smile.
- The Venus de Milo: An ancient Greek sculpture found in the Sully wing. It’s a stunning and essential piece of Greek art you shouldn’t miss.
- Winged Victory of Samothrace: This is another sculpture you must see. Interestingly, it isn’t in a gallery but rather on the Daru staircase, impressively capturing movement and form.
- The Code of Hammurabi: Considered the first set of written laws in history, it stands around two meters tall and is located in the Richelieu wing.
- The Wedding at Cana: A beautiful painting depicting Jesus’ miracle of turning water into wine, displayed right across from the Mona Lisa.
For an even more immersive experience, consider downloading audio guides or apps that provide detailed information on these masterpieces. This can transform your visit into a fascinating journey through history and art.
To prioritize these masterpieces over the many other works, I suggest planning your route in advance. Download the Louvre map and mark the must-see pieces to ensure you don’t miss them. Consider paths that minimize the walking distance between your selected highlights.
The early morning hours or Friday evenings, when the museum stays open later, are perfect for avoiding large crowds. And if a particular piece captivates you, don’t hesitate to linger a bit longer.
Best Routes Through the Museum
As mentioned, the Louvre is enormous, so here are some thematic routes to help you efficiently explore based on your interests:
Masterpieces Route
This is ideal for first-time visitors who want to see the most famous pieces. Here’s the itinerary:
Start in the room with the Mona Lisa, then move on to the Venus de Milo sculpture. Don’t miss the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Proceed to the Ancient Egypt collection, where you can view the Code of Hammurabi.
Renaissance to Romanticism Art Route
For those who prefer European art from these periods, this route includes some of the best paintings and sculptures from the Renaissance to Romanticism.
Begin in the Denon Wing to admire Italian and French Renaissance art (especially works by Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael). Then, head to the Richelieu Wing to experience the Baroque and Romantic movements, focusing on works by Rubens and Delacroix.
Ancient History Route
If you love ancient history and the museum’s antiquities (Ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome), start in the Denon Wing and then move to the Richelieu Wing to see Mesopotamian and Persian treasures. Beyond paintings and sculptures, you’ll encounter some of the museum’s most remarkable artifacts.
Family-Friendly Route
When visiting with children, remember that you’ll need more frequent breaks and that the kids should have fun, too. Opt for a route that features interactive exhibits and eye-catching works for younger visitors, such as activities and family workshops.
I recommend starting with the Egyptian mummies, followed by medieval armor in the Richelieu Wing, and wrapping up with 19th-century French paintings in the Sully Wing.
Print a Map of the Louvre or Get One at the Entrance
In the rush to get into the museum as quickly as possible, many people forget to grab a free map available at the entrance (in the Napoléon Hall under the glass pyramid). To help you out, here are floor maps below:
You can enlarge these images to better view the details (or print them) by clicking on each one:
Maps and Apps to Navigate the Museum
Exploring the Louvre on your own can be overwhelming due to the vast number of artworks and the sheer size of the palace. Here are some tools to make your visit as easy as possible.
Official Louvre Maps
As mentioned earlier, the museum provides free maps in several languages at the entrance, but few people know you can also download them from the official website before your visit.
These maps indicate the types of works in each room, as well as bathrooms and cafés, to help you plan the most suitable route.
The Official Louvre App
While maps have traditionally been the way to navigate the Louvre, many tourists now prefer using the museum’s official app. It’s completely free and includes features like:
- Detailed museum maps
- Audio guides in multiple languages
- Suggested itineraries
- Locations of all major artworks
Moreover, using the app can provide you with insights and context for each piece, enriching your experience and helping you make the most of your visit.
Third-Party Apps
These are apps available for iOS or Android, developed by people outside the Louvre Museum. In many cases, they are worthwhile and sometimes even more functional than the Louvre’s official app.
Many of them feature virtual guided tours, games, or trivia quizzes to make your visit more educational and fun. Some apps even use augmented reality to provide a more immersive experience and add richer audiovisual content to your museum exploration.
Here are some of the most popular:
Can You Bring Food Into the Museum?
When planning to visit an indoor space like a museum, amusement park, or concert venue, we often wonder whether we can bring food inside to save money.
At the Louvre, food and beverages are not allowed (with the exception of non-glass water bottles). This policy helps keep the galleries clean and protects the artwork from potential damage.
Where to Eat Inside the Museum?
Don’t worry; there are several dining options within the Louvre, whether you’re looking for a quick sandwich or a full meal at a sit-down restaurant.
Here are some choices:
- Café Richelieu-Angelina: A great spot for afternoon tea, known for its rich hot chocolate and pastries.
- Le Café Marly: Perfect for those who want a more upscale dining experience, offering traditional Parisian cuisine.
- Comptoir du Louvre: Located under the pyramid, this is an ideal place for a quick coffee or snack without leaving the museum.
Helpful Tips for Dining
First, it’s important to plan your meal times so you can avoid peak hours when cafés and restaurants may be crowded.
If you know in advance what time you’ll be eating, it’s a good idea to make a reservation, especially for places like Le Café Marly, which can fill up quickly.
Finally, if you want to save money, consider leaving the museum to eat in the surrounding area. There are numerous cafés and restaurants nearby, offering a variety of dining options.
Photography Rules: What You Can and Cannot Do
The Louvre Museum has a clear photography policy that all visitors must agree to in order to view the art. Generally, photography for personal use is allowed in most exhibition halls, but with a few key restrictions.
These limitations include:
- No Flash Photography: Flash is strictly prohibited as it can damage ancient paintings and manuscripts.
- No Tripods or Selfie Sticks: To prevent obstructing hallways and rooms, the use of tripods and selfie sticks is not allowed.
- Restricted Areas: Some rooms may have special restrictions where photography is forbidden. These areas are usually well-marked.
- Respecting Privacy: You may photograph art but taking pictures of other visitors without their consent is strictly prohibited.
I hope these tips make your visit to the Louvre clearer and more enjoyable. If you still have questions, the best resource is the museum’s official website, where you can check their FAQ section for more information.
For additional convenience, consider checking out apps or digital guides before your visit. This can make navigation and understanding the museum’s art much more engaging.