Things to do · Paris
Louvre tickets: how to choose the right one
The world's most visited museum has one famous smile and hundreds of rooms around it. These are the choices that make your visit better.
The Louvre
The pyramid arrived in 1989 and was controversial. Today it is hard to picture the courtyard without it.
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You ride the escalator down beneath the glass pyramid, and light comes from every side. Then you choose a wing. It is the first and most important decision at the Louvre, because the museum is an old royal palace and the corridors easily lead you astray.
In short: Louvre tickets
Book timed entry before you travel. To see the masterpieces without searching, choose a guided tour that takes you straight to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Allow three hours, and decide what you want to see before you go in.
Our first choice: a guided tour of the masterpieces with reserved entry. See experiences and tickets
How to choose the right Louvre ticket
First visit: a guided tour of the masterpieces. The guide knows the shortcuts and the stories behind the paintings.
Your own pace: timed entry. Download a map and pick three things to see.
With children: a short loop through the Egyptian galleries and the mummies. That is what children remember.
Two ways to see the Louvre
The guided tour gives you the most on a first visit. The entry ticket is for those who want to explore alone.
Guided tour of the masterpieces
For first-timers: reserved entry and a guide to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the other highlights.
Book: Guided tour of the masterpieces
Timed entry ticket
For your own pace: reserved entry, with optional upgrades.
Book: Timed entry ticket
Worth knowing
Closed on Tuesdays: the Louvre is closed every Tuesday. Mondays and Wednesdays are often busy.
Entrances: the pyramid is the famous one. The underground entrance via the Carrousel du Louvre often has a shorter queue.
The Mona Lisa: she hangs in the Salle des États in the Denon wing. Go there first, or wait until late in the day.
Getting there: metro to Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre.
Time: three hours for the highlights. Rest in the Tuileries afterwards.
Stay near the Louvre
Two hotels on either side of the Seine, both a short walk from the museum.
Le Meurice
The hotel faces the Tuileries.
Le Meurice
For the Tuileries: a palace hotel on Rue de Rivoli, facing the gardens and a few minutes from the Louvre. It belongs to the Dorchester Collection, and the upper floors look across the rooftops to the Eiffel Tower.
Book your stay: See rooms at Le Meurice
Hotel Montalembert
A small hotel on the Left Bank, close to the Musée d'Orsay.
Hotel Montalembert
For the Left Bank: a small, elegant hotel in Saint-Germain near the Musée d'Orsay, just across the bridge from the Louvre. The streets around it are full of cafés, bookshops and galleries.
Book your stay: See rooms at Hotel Montalembert
More hotels in our Paris hotel guide.
Louvre tickets: FAQ
Do I need to book the Louvre in advance?
Yes. The Louvre sells tickets with a time slot, and days often fill up. Booking ahead means you skip the ticket queue and have a fixed time to plan around. The days either side of Tuesday are often the busiest. Pick the first morning slot or a late afternoon, when there are fewer groups in the galleries.
Which day is the Louvre closed?
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. It also closes on some public holidays, so check before you travel. Monday and Wednesday are often extra busy as a result. If your trip includes a Tuesday, spend it at the Musée d'Orsay or in Montmartre instead.
How long do I need at the Louvre?
Three hours covers the highlights. To see more, split your visit in two, or focus on one department, such as Egypt or the French paintings. A guided tour covers the highlights in about two hours. Take a break at one of the cafés inside if you want to carry on afterwards.
Where is the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?
The Mona Lisa hangs in the Salle des États in the Denon wing, on the first floor. Signs show the way, but the crowd in front of her is biggest in the middle of the day. The painting is smaller than many expect, and you stand a few metres back behind a barrier.
Where should I stay to be near the Louvre?
The 1st arrondissement surrounds the Louvre and the Tuileries, and Le Meurice faces the gardens. On the Left Bank, Saint-Germain is a good alternative, with Hotel Montalembert near the Orsay. Both are within walking distance, so you can be at the museum early without taking the metro.