Things to do · Paris
Louvre tickets: how to choose the right one
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.
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.
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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.
How Picolo chooses
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Stay near the Louvre
1st arrondissement
Le Meurice
- Palace hotel
- Facing the gardens
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.
Best for: For the Tuileries
Saint-Germain
Hotel Montalembert
- Near the Musée d'Orsay
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.
Best for: For the Left Bank
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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. 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 and on some public holidays, so check before you travel. 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. A guided tour covers them in about two hours. To see more, split your visit in two, or focus on one department, such as Egypt or the French paintings.
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. The crowd 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.
Updated 5 Nov 2026All articles