District
Louvre
World's most visited museum housing humanity's greatest artistic treasures
The Louvre isn't just the world's most visited museum — it's a palace that houses 35,000 works spanning 9,000 years of human creativity. You'll walk the same halls where French royalty once lived, past the Mona Lisa's knowing smile and the Venus de Milo's timeless beauty. But here's what guidebooks won't tell you: most visitors see less than 1% of the collection and leave overwhelmed. The secret is knowing where to go and when to show up.
Itineraries coming soon
We're working on adding amazing itineraries for Louvre. In the meantime, try the app to create your own!
The Louvre started as a fortress in 1190, became a royal palace, and finally opened as a public museum in 1793 during the French Revolution. Napoleon filled it with treasures from his conquests across Europe and Egypt — many of which are still here today. The glass pyramid entrance you see? That controversial addition came in 1989 and sparked heated debates among Parisians. Now it's as iconic as the art inside. The museum spans 782,910 square feet across three wings: Denon, Sully, and Richelieu. Each wing could be a world-class museum on its own.
Money-Saving Tips
- 1.Buy tickets online to avoid the €2 booking fee charged at the door
- 2.Visit on the first Sunday of each month from October to March for free admission
- 3.EU residents under 26 get free entry year-round with valid ID
- 4.The museum pass costs €78 for 6 days but includes skip-the-line access to 60+ Paris attractions
- 5.Audio guides cost €5 but the free Louvre app works just as well
- 6.Eat lunch at nearby Loulou in Tuileries Garden instead of overpriced museum cafés
- 7.Buy souvenirs at the Carrousel du Louvre shops for better prices than inside the museum
Travel Tips
- •Visit Wednesday or Friday evenings after 6 PM for smaller crowds and magical lighting
- •Start with the Denon Wing if you want to see the Mona Lisa first thing
- •Allow 4-6 hours minimum — rushing through defeats the purpose
- •Use the museum's free WiFi to share photos instead of expensive roaming charges
- •The medieval foundations in the basement are air-conditioned and less crowded in summer
- •Bring a portable phone charger — you'll take hundreds of photos
- •Check the museum website for temporary exhibitions that might interest you more than permanent collections
- •The Louvre's Instagram account shows real-time crowd levels in different wings
Frequently Asked Questions
Plan for 4-6 hours minimum. Most visitors need a full day to see the highlights without feeling rushed. You could spend weeks here and still discover new pieces.
Explore Louvre
Ready to explore Louvre?
Get a personalized itinerary in seconds with Takeoff.
Free on iOS. No credit card required.