The Louvre is the world’s most famous museum and it houses one of the world’s greatest art collections. The name Louvre means ‘gallery’ in French, which is why it’s often called the Musée du Louvre or simply just ‘the Louvre.’ Admission to this magical place runs from a pricey €10 per adult on weekdays and weekends, rising to €15 during peak hours and holidays. The main entrance is situated on rue de Rivoli in central Paris, not far from the place de la Concorde.
If you don’t have a car, take public transport as almost every metro station around offers access to the Musee du Louvre. In addition, there are also bus lines that connect many parts of the city; however, these are not always frequent enough and could be difficult to find during peak commuting hours.
What to see at the Musée du Louvre
The Louvre is home to some of the most iconic pieces of art in the world, including pieces by Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Pablo Picasso. But the museum is not just about art; it is also a museum of archaeology, history, and natural science. While the museum is enormous, you don’t need to see it all at once.
Experts recommend taking a different route each time you go to the museum since it is impossible to see everything. However, if you do have a limited time and want to see the biggest pieces first, you should start in the French Department, which has the most famous pieces. Here you will find the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Things to Know Before You Visit the Louvre
- The museum is ginormous. You can see a fraction of it in one visit.
- It is an archaeology, history, and natural science museum. You might want to take a guide with you to help you navigate the often complex and confusing displays.
- The museum isn’t just for art lovers. It’s also a museum of archaeology, history, and natural science.
- You can only visit the museum with a ticket that allows you to see all of the collections.
- Most of the museum is closed on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays.
- The museum is open 9:30 am – 5:45 pm every day except December 25, January 1, and Easter Sunday.
How to Reach the Louvre by Public Transport
The easiest way to get to the Louvre from central Paris is to take the metro. Several stations around the museum have direct access to the museum. You can also take a bus from central Paris; however, with the amount of traffic in the city, the bus ride might take longer than the metro ride.
If you would like to stick to public transport, you should be able to reach the museum from almost anywhere in the city. If you are staying outside of central Paris, you can take the train or a taxi.
Tourist Information and Hours of Operation
You can find the main tourist information point at the Louvre’s main entrance. You can also find several other tourist information points around the museum.
The museum is open 9:30 am – 5:45 pm every day except December 25, January 1, and Easter Sunday.
Tips for your visit to the Louvre Museum
- If you want to see everything at the museum, you need to budget at least 3 hours to visit each of the four sections.
- If you have limited time, head to the French section first, as most of the famous pieces are located there.
- You can save money by buying a “carte du Musée du Louvre” (museum ticket) that covers the entrance fee for the Musée du Louvre, the Musée d’Orsay, the Musée de l’Anatomie, the Musée des Arts et Métiers, and the Muséenational du Moyen Age.
- If you have a student card, you can get a 10% discount on your visit. You can apply for your student card at the tourist information desk.
- You can also get a free audio guide to the museum. You can download it to your phone or tablet and it includes information on all four sections of the museum.
- You can also take a virtual tour of the museum.
- You can also take a free photography class that will teach you the right way to take pictures in the museum.
- You can also buy tickets to the temporary exhibitions that are open at the museum.
- You can also visit the gift shop at the museum’s entrance and buy a “Louvre Museum Pass” that gives you unlimited access to the Louvre Museum and several other museums in Paris for 1 year for €50.
Conclusion: Is It Worth Visiting the Musee du Louvre?
The Louvre is one of the world’s most famous museums and it houses one of the world’s greatest collections of art. The museum is massive and it’s hard to see everything, but with a little time, you can get a feel for the incredible pieces. The Louvre is an enormous place, so you may want to go at a different time or with a guide.
However, if you have two or three hours to spend in the museum, you will be able to see many of the famous pieces. The museum is expensive, so you may want to save it for a special occasion. When visiting the Louvre, make sure you buy a “carte du Musée du Louvre” (museum ticket) that gives you access to several other museums in Paris.
