Housed in a former French royal palace, the Louvre is the world's most-visited museum, displaying more than 30,000 works including Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa', the 'Venus de Milo' and the 'Winged Victory of Samothrace'. I. M. Pei's glass Pyramid, completed in 1989, forms its central entrance. As of 2026 the museum is undergoing the sweeping 'Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance' redevelopment (a dedicated Mona Lisa gallery and a new eastern entrance at the Colonnade, targeted for completion around 2031), and following the October 2025 theft of Crown Jewels, security and restoration work has kept the Galerie d'Apollon and some rooms temporarily closed. Book a timed online ticket in advance to avoid severe crowding.
The Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci): the museum's icon, drawing about 20,000 visitors a day, so aim for opening time or the late-evening hours to see it.
The Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace (atop the Daru staircase): two masterpieces of ancient sculpture.
The Egyptian Antiquities wing with the Great Sphinx of Tanis, plus vast Near Eastern and classical collections.
Monumental French paintings: David's 'Coronation of Napoleon', Géricault's 'Raft of the Medusa', and Delacroix's 'Liberty Leading the People'.
The palace architecture itself, the opulent Napoleon III Apartments, the Cour Carrée and Colonnade, all crowned by the central glass Pyramid.
Good to know
RulesA timed online ticket is effectively required. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, with late openings on Wednesday and Friday. Always confirm current hours, prices and booking rules on the official website before you go.
RulesAfter the October 2025 theft, restoration and security work may keep the Galerie d'Apollon (Crown Jewels, Apollo ceiling) and some rooms (such as the Campana Greek ceramics galleries) closed. If you are visiting for a specific work, check that day's openings first.
SafetyThe Pyramid plaza, the Mona Lisa room and the nearby Metro (lines 1 and 7) are pickpocket hotspots. Wear your bag in front with zippers closed and keep your phone and passport in an inner pocket.
SeasonIn the summer peak, queues and indoor crowding are intense, and during heatwaves some non-air-conditioned rooms may close temporarily. Enter at opening or use the Wednesday/Friday evening slots for a calmer visit.
CautionAround the Tuileries and the Pyramid, petition sign-ups, friendship-bracelet tie-ons and the 'found gold ring' approach are usually scams—decline them. Buy tickets only from the official site (louvre.fr) and avoid unofficial resellers that add markups.
MannersKeep quiet in the galleries, never touch the artworks, and do not use flash photography. Large suitcases and oversized bags are restricted, so leave luggage at your accommodation or a cloakroom.
Practical info
The museum connects directly to the Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre station on Metro lines 1 and 7, and the Carrousel underground entrance at 99 rue de Rivoli usually has shorter lines than the main Pyramid. It is closed Tuesdays and generally open roughly 9:00–18:00 (until 21:00 on Wednesday and Friday, last entry one hour before closing), but hours, prices and booking policy can change—verify the latest details on the official website before visiting.
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