Visitors going to the Louvre museum have a LOT of information to sift through.
How long do you really need to spend inside? Are there bathrooms? Can you bring food? What do you want to see, anyway? It's overwhelming at best.
And if you're visiting in warm weather, you certainly don't want to feel like you spent all your time hunkered inside museums.
What's worse, is the idea of "wasting" your time wandering inside for hours only to leave feeling like you didn't see anything you hoped you would. That's why making a plan of attack is so important. Be sure to read my post about the best things to see in the Louvre for a quick and efficient visit without feeling rushed.
In this guide, I'll go over all the practical details for visiting the Louvre so you have the smoothest, most enjoyable visit possible.
Opening times
The Louvre is open every day of the week except Tuesdays.
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday: 9am to 6pm.
Friday: 9am to 9:45pm.
Aside from Tuesdays, the museum is also closed on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th. It's open on all other holidays (unless they fall on a Tuesday).
The last entry is one hour before closing time. They'll start announcing that the museum is shutting for the night 30 minutes prior to closing and ask you to make your way out.
When to visit?
The Louvre is always busy. It's the most visited art museum in the world, bringing in a record 9.6 million people in 2019. Fortunately, it's also one of the biggest art museums in the world, so if you go at the right times the crowds are usually manageable.
Season
Of course, it's best to visit during the off-season. Even in the winter, the palace can get pretty full during mid-day, but you'll be able to move around with ease. And you certainly won't be waiting for hours to get in.
Day/time of the week
Public and school holidays are always especially busy days in the Louvre. Be sure to look up when these are before scheduling your visit. In addition, weekends (especially Sunday afternoons) are mobbed regardless of the time of year.
Your best bet is to visit on weekdays right when it opens. Monday and Thursday mornings are the emptiest, followed by Wednesdays. Fridays are typically busier.
How long do you need inside?
The Denon Wing
The short answer: two hours minimum, four hours maximum.
The long answer: it depends. You may already have pieces in mind that you want to see, so of course the longer your list the longer you'll need. And you may want to allow extra time at the end of your visit to wander a bit and visit the gift shop.
Or perhaps you'll be following a greatest-hits itinerary (my best of the Louvre post is mostly in recommended chronological order) that you know takes about three hours.
Da Vinci's Mona Lisa
Winged Victory of Samothrace
So, it really depends. That said, to see just the top ten you'll need two hours. Top 20? Three hours minimum. In my opinion, three hours has always been the sweet spot. Anything more than that should be reserved for art history buffs wearing good walking shoes...
Remember that the more organized you are, the faster you'll be able to move. But there's something to be said for a bit of budgeted meandering time. The architecture is equally as exquisite as the works displayed, and I enjoy a bit of aimless exploration. Plan whatever you think makes the most sense for you.
Tickets
Purchase your tickets in advance online or you won't be allowed entry. In a recent change in policy, tickets are no longer sold at the door. This is probably for the best since the Louvre is regularly booked at capacity, even on random weekdays in February. Booking tickets through the Louvre's website means you'll get a dedicated date and time (within a half-hour window) for your visit.
Pricing
INDIVIDUALS
General admission: €17
Free admission (with valid proof):
• Residents of the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, and Liechtenstein) under 18, or ages 18-25 (inclusive).
• Teachers of art, art history, and the applied arts
• Visitors with disabilities & one person accompanying them
Check the full list of free ticket eligibility.
The Louvre is free for all guests on the first Saturday of each month from 6-9:45pm and on Bastille Day (July 14).
GUIDED TOURS (OFFERED BY THE MUSEUM)
Entrance to the museum + one-and-a-half-hour guided tour in English: €26
These guided tours are known to sell out so book well in advance.
Early morning at the Louvre.
How far in advance do I need to book my ticket?
The official website will allow you to purchase tickets up to 90 days in advance. If you're visiting during the peak season (June-August) you'd do best to book your tickets as soon as you finalize your trip dates.
In shoulder season (March-May and September-October) you'd still be wise to book several weeks in advance.
Off-season (November-February) tickets can usually be purchased a few days ahead of time.
Entrances
There are three main entrances to the Louvre: La Pyramide, Carrousel du Louvre, and Porte des Lions. The fourth entrance, Porte de Richelieu, is reserved for tour groups and members of the museum.
CARROUSEL DU LOUVRE - the best & fastest entrance for individuals & small groups
All types of visitors can use this entrance. It's by far the best for individuals and small groups, as it has the shortest wait times. The entrance is underground, so if you do have to wait you won't be doing it in the blistering sun or freezing cold like the Pyramids entrance.
The carousel entrance is also very convenient if you're taking the metro to the Louvre. Get off line 1 at Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre and follow the smaller signs for the Louvre. This means that if you're getting off from the La Defense direction, then you'll be hooking a left off the train, and a right coming off the 1 in the direction of Château de Vincennes.
As you work your way out of the metro, you'll also start to see signs for the Carrousel du Louvre - follow them!
Overall, this entrance is usually most convenient if you're taking public transportation to the palace, and I've never waited more than 30 minutes to get inside from here.
Side note: I'd recommend stopping at the gift shops in the Carrousel du Louvre on your way out. From postcards to tote bags, they have something for everyone! But skip the restaurants inside the carousel and head to Le Café Marly for a coffee with a view after your visit.
LA PYRAMIDE - the busiest
Pyramids is the busiest entrance to the Louvre with the longest wait times.
Pyramids is the busiest entrance with the longest wait times. My guess is that people want to see the pyramids and take pictures with them before visiting the museum, so they end up using this main entrance. If you want to do this then go around 8am for photos with the pyramids and afterwards make your way to a secondary entrance for your 9am entry. The museum also states on its website and on its tickets that Pyramids is the "main entrance", perhaps because it has the most capacity to handle long lines.
Still, there is no reason to use this entrance, assuming the other smaller entrances are open (check before you go). You can wait for over an hour to get in, and you'll be subjected to the elements since the queues are outside.
Queues at the Pyramids entrance are divided into groups:
• Visitors with a ticket or Paris Museum Pass
• Visitors with membership cards (such as Friends of the Louvre)
• Priority access (disabled visitors and staff members)
Note that the elevator at the Pyramids entrance point is only for:
• Disabled visitors
• Visitors with wheelchairs or canes
The pyramids lit up at night.
PORTE DES LIONS - "secret" entrance
This entrance will get you the closest to the Italian Renaissance section of the Louvre. It's a small entrance that many people don't know about. As a result, you'll likely only have to wait a few minutes to get in from here making it the fastest entrance by far.
Located along the Quai François Mitterrand, it's not particularly close to any metro stations, but can be convenient to access if you're arriving by foot.
The only problem with this entrance is that there are no lockers, so you'll be refused entry if you have a large bag or a helmet. It's also closed on Fridays and closes early at 5:15pm on Wednesdays.
I tend not to mind waiting a few extra minutes for the convenience of using the carousel entrance, but during peak season this entrance may be your saving grace for avoiding long lines.
PORTE DE RICHELIEU - best group entrance
This fourth entrance is reserved for designated tour groups and members of the museum. To be considered a group you need a minimum of seven people in your party and a maximum of 25. As a tour group, I would strongly recommend taking advantage of this entrance. Wait times are only around 10 minutes!
Access to this entrance is located INSIDE Passage Richelieu, just off Rue de Rivoli.
For guests with disabilities
As I mentioned above, there's an elevator reserved for visitors with physical disabilities at the Pyramids entrance. Once you're inside, there are many elevators throughout the palace.
Wheelchairs and canes are also available to be lent free of charge. See more accessibility information on the museum's website.
Wait times
Wait times vary drastically based on season and time of day. When I visited the Louvre in the middle of February with an opening 9am ticket from the carousel entrance, it took me a little less than ten minutes to get to the front of the line and through security.
However, in the afternoons during peak season (especially from the Pyramids entrance), you could be looking at an hour wait time... or more. You've been warned! If the only time you're able to visit is during the summer, then be sure to go first thing in the morning to avoid excessive waiting.
View from inside the palace
When you're waiting in line, an employee may come up to you to check your ticket. They won't actually scan it, that happens when you're already inside and about to enter the wing of your choosing. They're just looking for today's date and the time of your ticket. You cannot get in line more than 30 minutes before your scheduled entrance time, and if you do then you'll be (politely) kicked out of line and told to come back later.
Security checks & museum rules
Once you reach the front of the line, you'll go through security. Note that you may be asked to unzip and open your jacket as you go through the metal detector.
No large bags or luggage are allowed inside the museum. The maximum acceptable dimensions of your bag are 55 x 35 x 20 cm. They're pretty serious about this. Baby strollers and front chest carriers are allowed inside, and both are available to loan once you enter the museum.
There's a cloakroom free of charge on the sub-level of the museum underneath the pyramid. The museum also has free Wi-Fi!
Flash-free photography and videos, both for personal use only, are allowed in the permanent collections. Temporary exhibitions may be subject to their own rules. Photo equipment like selfie sticks and tripods are prohibited.
Facilities
Bathrooms
There's a large accessible bathroom under the pyramid when you first enter the Louvre from the Carrousel du Louvre entrance. They're also located sporadically throughout the museum. I like to go when I see one because I can never seem to find one when I need one.
Lower level of the Richelieu Wing
Food & drink
Small snacks are allowed but they can be fussy about how you bring water. I often see abandoned reusable water bottles at the entrance! According to the Louvre's website, no glass bottles or cans are allowed but small, sealed plastic water bottles are acceptable. I've had friends tell me they've never had their water bottles confiscated, but I always air on the side of caution and bring a small, empty plastic water bottle to fill up at the first bathroom I find.
I've never noticed a water fountain in the Louvre, and I'm 90% convinced there simply aren't any. Water can be drank inside the Louvre away from the artwork. I tend to find a place to eat and rehydrate away from the art and no one's ever bothered me.
There are also several eateries inside the palace from grab-and-go to sit-down dining. You can find the full list on the Louvre's website.
What to see inside the Louvre
Start in the Denon Wing to check off some of the greatest hits like the Mona Lisa before the palace gets too busy. From there, check out the separate blog post I wrote about what to see inside the palace. It lists all the top things to see in a (mostly) chronological order to help with your planning.
By now, hopefully, you're feeling a little more prepared for your visit to the Louvre museum. It's nice to know all the practical details before you arrive, so once you're there you can focus on enjoying your visit. Let me know if you have any questions about visiting the Louvre in the comments!
