Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)
7.6Friend Score / 10#8 of 10 Museums in Paris
Known forlouvremuseummona lisavenus de milo
The world's most-visited museum, home to the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and endless masterpieces. A friend sends you, but with a plan, not to 'see it all.' Caveat: it's overwhelming and packed, closed Tuesdays, and the Mona Lisa is a small, mobbed anticlimax.
Key facts
| Hours | Mon–Sun 09:00–18:00 Wed–Fri 09:00–21:45 |
|---|---|
| Price | $$$ |
| Phone | — |
| Website | — |
| Nearest transit | Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (M1, M7) |
| Time needed | 3 hours minimum; a full day if you're serious |
| Best time to go | Wednesday or Friday late openings, or right at 9am opening |
| Last verified | July 12, 2026 |
Friend Score
7.6/10- Value8.0
- iconic9.0
- Freshness9.1
- Crowd level2.5
- Authenticity8.0
- Accessibility9.0
Frequently asked questions
- How much are tickets in 2026?
- As of January 2026, standard adult admission is €22 for EEA residents and €32 for non-EEA visitors, with under-18s free. Always book a timed slot online, ticket.louvre.fr, rather than queuing on the day.
- Do I need to reserve a time slot?
- Yes, timed entry is effectively required and the pyramid line is long without it. Book the earliest morning slot or a late-opening evening to dodge the worst crowds.
- Is the Mona Lisa worth fighting the crowd for?
- Honestly, temper your expectations, it's smaller than people imagine and permanently mobbed behind glass. See it quickly, then spend your energy on the Italian galleries, Egyptian antiquities, and the French crown jewels.
- How do I avoid the entrance queue?
- Use the Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance or the Porte des Lions rather than the main pyramid, and go at 9am or during Wednesday/Friday late hours. A timed ticket is essential either way.
- Is it free at any time?
- Under-18s are always free, and there are free evenings on some first Fridays of the month and other dates, check the official site. EU residents under 26 also enter free with ID.
- Where's the least crowded part?
- The Richelieu wing, with the Mesopotamian and northern European collections, and the sculpture courts, is far calmer than the Denon wing that everyone storms for the Mona Lisa. Start there for breathing room.
- How much can I realistically see?
- You cannot 'do' the Louvre in a day, so pick two or three wings and let the rest go. Three focused hours beats six exhausting ones of trying to see everything.
- When is the Louvre closed?
- Every Tuesday, all year, plus January 1, May 1, and December 25. Don't plan your Louvre day for a Tuesday.
Nearby in Ask Paris
- Louvre MuseumAttraction0 km · 0 min walk
- Le LouvreAttraction0 km · 0 min walk
- Terres de CaféCafé0.25 km · 3 min walk
- Square du Vert-GalantPark0.39 km · 5 min walk
- Café VerletCafé0.48 km · 6 min walk
Where to stay near Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre)
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