Louvre Museum 2026 Guide: Tickets, Prices, Timings, Artworks & Tips

The Louvre Museum is one of the world's largest and most famous art museums. Its collections contain nearly 500,000 works, with about 35,000 artworks on display. Here, visitors can see paintings, sculptures, jewellery, ancient objects and decorative arts from thousands of years of history.

The Louvre was not a museum. The building began as a fortress in the 12th century and later became a royal palace. French kings lived here for centuries before the Louvre opened as a public museum in 1793 during the French Revolution.

Today, the Louvre welcomes millions of visitors each year, making it one of the world's most visited museums. Its huge collection, grand architecture and long history make it one of the most important places to visit in France.

Louvre Museum Location

Visitors often ask the question: where is the Louvre Museum located within such a big city? The Louvre Museum is in central Paris, France, at Rue de Rivoli, in the 1st arrondissement. It sits along the River Seine, close to many famous attractions in France. This makes it easy to add to a day of sightseeing.

Louvre Museum History

The Louvre Museum is more than 800 years old, but it was not always a museum. The building started as a fortress to protect Paris in 1190. In 1364, it became a royal residence. The Louvre became a public museum in 1793, during the French Revolution. It opened its doors to the public and began its new life as a museum of art.

The famous glass Louvre Pyramid came much later. It was designed by Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei and was opened in 1989 as part of the Grand Louvre project.

How Big Is the Louvre Museum?

The Louvre Museum is one of the largest museums in the world, both in size and collection. Here are some key facts to help you understand just how big it is:

• Three main wings: The Louvre is divided into the Denon, Sully and Richelieu wings.
• Almost 500,000 objects: The museum's collection contains nearly 500,000 objects, covering thousands of years of art and history.
• Around 35,000 works on display: Only a small part of the collection is displayed at any one time.
• A huge complex: The Louvre has hundreds of rooms and galleries spread across a vast palace complex.
• 14.5 km of rooms and corridors: Walking through the Louvre can cover several kilometres

The Louvre Museum is home to thousands of famous artworks, but three stand out for many first-time visitors: the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace. 

• The Mona Lisa: Painted by Leonardo da Vinci, the Mona Lisa is one of the world's most famous paintings. The portrait is known for the woman's subtle smile and the mysterious look in her eyes. It is displayed in the Louvre's Denon Wing and attracts large crowds throughout the day.
• The Venus de Milo: The Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek marble statue of Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love and beauty. Created around the 2nd century BC, the statue is famous for its missing arms and graceful pose. You can see the statue in Room 345 of the Sully Wing.
• The Winged Victory of Samothrace: The Winged Victory of Samothrace is a dramatic Hellenistic sculpture of Nike, the Greek goddess of victory. She stands on the top of the Daru staircase in the Denon wing, where her wings and flowing clothes make the statue look as if she has just landed on a ship.
• Liberty Leading the People: Painted by Eugène Delacroix, this large Romantic painting depicts the July Revolution of 1830. The central female figure represents Liberty as she leads people over a barricade while holding the French tricolour flag. The painting is displayed in Room 700 of the Denon Wing.
• The Coronation of Napoleon: Jacques-Louis David's monumental painting shows the coronation ceremony of Napoleon and the crowning of his wife, Joséphine, at Notre-Dame de Paris on 2 December 1804. At around six metres high and almost ten metres wide, it is one of the Louvre's largest paintings. It is displayed in the Denon Wing's Red Rooms.
• The Raft of the Medusa: Théodore Géricault's dramatic painting depicts survivors of the wreck of the French ship Méduse drifting on a makeshift raft. The work is known for its powerful depiction of suffering and desperation and was based on a recent real-life event when it was first exhibited in 1819. You can see it in Room 700 of the Denon Wing.
• The Wedding Feast at Cana: Painted by Paolo Veronese, The Wedding Feast at Cana is the largest painting in the Louvre. Measuring more than 6 metres high and almost 10 metres wide, the enormous canvas shows a lavish biblical wedding banquet with around 130 figures. It hangs opposite the Mona Lisa in Room 711 of the Denon Wing.

To secure your entry, you should book tickets exclusively through the Official Musée du Louvre Ticketing Portal.

Quick Booking Steps: 

• Select Ticket Type: Choose "Individual Tickets" for standard self-guided tours.
• Pick Date & Time: Select your exact entry window (aim for 9:00 AM or after 6:00 PM on Wednesdays/Fridays).
• Enter Guest Info: Provide accurate full names matching your passport or ID card.
• Download Digital Ticket: Save the PDF ticket to your smartphone to be scanned at the gate.

Tips: Avoid buying from unauthorised street vendors or third-party resellers charging inflated prices.

If you are planning to visit the Louvre Museum in 2026, check the ticket price before booking. The current rates have been in effect since 14 January 2026.

*INR amounts are approximate and can change with the exchange rate.

REMEMBER: The Louvre also offers free admission to everyone on the first Friday of each month after 6 p.m., except in July and August. Free admission also applies on 14 July, unless it falls on a Tuesday when the museum is closed. 

TRAVEL TIP: The Louvre recommends booking a timed entry slot online in advance, including for visitors who qualify for free admission.

The best time to visit the Louvre Museum is early in the morning or later in the evening. Here are the best times to plan your visit:

Best Time of Day

• 9 AM opening
• Late evening on extended-opening days

Best Days to Visit

• Thursday
• Wednesday/Friday evening depending on current schedule

Best Months to Visit

• Shoulder seasons
• Avoid peak summer if your priority is lower crowds

Tip: For a first visit, choose an early timed-entry slot and plan to see your must-visit artworks first. This gives you more time to explore the museum at your own pace. 

The Louvre Museum is full of more than just famous paintings and statues. Here are a few interesting things to look for:

• The medieval fortress remains: Head to the lower levels of the Sully wing to see parts of the original medieval Louvre, including the old moat. These remains show what the building looked like before it became a royal palace.
• Egyptian mummies and hieroglyphs: The Egyptian Antiquities galleries contain mummies, sarcophagi, statues and objects covered with hieroglyphic inscriptions. The collection spans almost 5,000 years of Egyptian history.
• The upside-down Pyramid: The inverted glass Pyramid is located in the underground Carousel area. It is smaller than the famous Pyramid in the courtyard and has 84 diamond-shaped and 28 triangular glass panes.
• Huge ceiling paintings: The former Musée Charles X, for example, has richly decorated ceilings created by major 19th-century artists.
• Ancient objects from everyday life: Some galleries display historic armour, swords and other weapons, giving visitors a glimpse into life and warfare from different periods.

Getting to the Louvre Museum is easy because it is in central Paris and is well connected by metro, bus and other transport options.

• By metro: Take Metro Line 1 or Line 7 to Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre. You can also use Louvre-Rivoli station on Line 1, which is close to the museum.
• By bus: Several Paris bus routes stop near the Louvre, making the bus a useful option if you want to avoid the stairs and transfers of the metro.
• On foot: If you are staying in central Paris, walking to the Louvre can be a pleasant option. You can enjoy sights along the River Seine on the way.
• By taxi or ride-hailing service: This can be convenient for families, older travellers or visitors with luggage. However, road traffic around central Paris can be heavy, especially during peak hours.

Tip: If you are visiting for the first time, check your ticket and entrance details before travelling. The Louvre has several entrances, and the best route can depend on where you are starting from.

The Louvre Museum is in central Paris, so you can easily combine it with other major attractions. The best pairing depends on how much time you have and what you want to see.

For most travellers: Louvre + Eiffel Tower, Louvre + Seine Cruise, and Louvre + Notre-Dame work well on the same day. 

1. Louvre Museum + Eiffel Tower

The Louvre Museum and Eiffel Tower combination is a popular choice for a first trip to Paris. Visit the Louvre in the morning or early afternoon, then head towards the Eiffel Tower later in the day.

Suggested plan:

• Morning: Louvre Museum for 2–4 hours
• Afternoon: Lunch and a walk through central Paris
• Evening: Eiffel Tower visit

Best for: First-time visitors, couples and families who want to see Paris's most famous landmarks.

Tip: Leave a travel buffer between the two attractions instead of booking back-to-back time slots.

2. Louvre Museum + Seine Cruise

The Louvre sits beside the Seine River, making the river a natural addition to a central Paris itinerary. A Louvre Museum and Seine cruise combination works well if you want to balance indoor sightseeing with a relaxed view of Paris. You can explore the museum first and enjoy views of Paris from the river later.

Suggested plan:

• Morning: Louvre Museum
• Afternoon: Tuileries Garden or nearby sights
• Evening: Seine cruise

Best for: Families, first-time visitors and travellers who want a relaxed Paris experience.

3. Louvre Museum + Notre-Dame

The Louvre Museum and Notre-Dame Cathedral can be combined in one day because both are in central Paris. Start your day at the Louvre, then walk or use public transport towards Île de la Cité, where Notre-Dame is located. You can also explore the surrounding Seine riverbanks and historic streets along the way.

Suggested plan:

• Morning: Louvre Museum
• Afternoon: Walk through central Paris
• Late afternoon: Notre-Dame and Île de la Cité
• Evening: Explore the Latin Quarter

Best for: Travellers interested in Parisian history, architecture and walking tours.

4. Louvre Museum + Versailles

You can visit the Louvre Museum and Palace of Versailles during the same Paris trip, but visiting both on the same day can make for a long schedule. Versailles sits outside central Paris, so the journey takes considerably longer than travelling between the Louvre and other attractions in Paris.

Instead of visiting both on the same day, it is recommended to give one full day to the Louvre and another day to the Palace of Versailles.

A more comfortable plan:

• Day 1: Louvre Museum + central Paris
• Day 2: Palace of Versailles

Best for: Travellers staying in Paris for several days and those interested in French art, royal history and architecture.

A little planning can make your Louvre Museum visit much easier, especially if it is your first time. The museum is huge, so you do not need to see everything to have a good experience.

• Book your timed-entry ticket in advance: This helps you secure your preferred visiting time, especially during busy periods.
• Choose your must-see artworks: Decide whether you want to see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace or specific galleries before you arrive.
• Arrive early: An early time slot gives you more time to explore before the museum becomes busier.
• Wear comfortable shoes: You can walk several kilometres inside the museum, so comfortable footwear is important.
• Allow 2–4 hours: This is enough for a focused first visit, while art lovers may want to spend much longer.
• Check your entrance: The Louvre has several entrances, so check your ticket and access information before travelling to the museum.
• Travel light: Avoid bringing large bags or suitcases, as there are restrictions on luggage inside the museum.
• Take a break: If you are travelling with children or spending several hours inside, plan time for a cafe or restaurant break.
• Keep your route flexible: The Louvre is large, and you may spend more time than expected in popular galleries. Focus on the artworks that interest you most rather than trying to cover the entire museum.

• Book a time slot: Every visitor needs a timed-entry reservation, including free-entry visitors and pass holders. Advance booking is especially important during peak season.
• Check the final price: The official Louvre website and authorised sellers generally follow the same base ticket price. Very low prices may exclude additional fees.
• Consider a guided tour: Small-group tours with entry usually cost €45–€95 and are a good option if you want expert insights into the Louvre’s famous artworks and collections.
• Book 2–3 Months Ahead: Tickets sell out fast online; buying at the gate is no longer possible.
• Match Passport Names: Ensure your ticket name matches your physical Indian passport for random security checks.
• Prep Your Forex Card: Enable international transactions on your Niyo, Thomas Cook, or standard credit card.
• Use Free Lockers: Store heavy winter jackets and medium bags in the free lockers beneath the main pyramid.
• Keep Snacks Packed: You can carry water bottles, but eating food inside the art galleries is prohibited.
• Wear Walking Shoes: You will easily log 8,000+ steps; skip heels or formal shoes for comfortable sneakers.

Planning a Paris holiday from India? Add the Louvre Museum to your itinerary alongside the Eiffel Tower, Seine cruise, Versailles and other Paris highlights. Explore Pickyourtrail's France packages and customise your Paris itinerary around your travel dates, budget and must-see attractions.