The Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) in Paris is one of the world's largest and most renowned art museums. Located on the banks of the River Seine, it holds an unparalleled collection of art and historical artifacts, spanning over 9,000 years of hu...
Also Known As
Musée du Louvre
Founded On
1793
Founded By
King Philip II
ADDRESS
75001 Paris, France
RECOMMENDED DURATION
5 hours
Timings
09:00–18:00
VISITORS PER YEAR
7500000
TICKETS
From $27.47
NUMBER OF ENTRANCES
4
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - STANDARD
2+ hours (Peak), 1-2 hours (Off Peak)
EXPECTED WAIT TIME - SKIP THE LINE
30-60 mins (Peak), 0-30 mins (Off Peak)
UNESCO YEAR
1991
The Louvre’s story began over 800 years ago as a fortress defending Paris from Viking invasions. You can still see parts of the original medieval moat in the museum today.
During World War II, the Louvre’s deputy director, Jacques Jaujard, orchestrated a daring mission to hide over 4,000 priceless artworks in a château in Loire Valley to outwit the Nazis.
On 21 August 1911, Italian handyman Vincenzo Peruggia stole the masterpiece, Mona Lisa from the Louvre because he believed that she belonged in Italy. Her two-year disappearance made her a global sensation.
Louvre Museum Timed Access Tickets with Optional Audioguide
Louvre Museum Timed Entry Tickets with Hosted Visit to the Mona Lisa
Louvre Museum Timed Access Tickets & Seine River Cruise
Louvre Museum Masterpieces Guided Tour
Step into the Louvre Museum, where 9,000 years of human history and artistry come alive under the iconic glass pyramid. As the world’s most visited museum, the Louvre is not just another art gallery—it’s a global cultural icon and a must-see destination in Paris.
Marvel at masterpieces like the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, and Liberty Leading the People by Eugène Delacroix. Each piece tells a story, drawing visitors into the heart of artistic and cultural milestones.
The Louvre is not just about art—it’s a journey through time. Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century to defend Paris, it became a royal palace and, during the French Revolution, the home of France’s national treasures. Today, it stands as a timeless testament to human creativity and resilience.
With over 35,000 masterpieces spread across eight departments, the Louvre can feel like a maze. Here's how to navigate its treasures like a pro.
Arguably the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo's enigmatic portrait captivates millions of visitors each year with its mysterious smile and masterful technique.
Location: Denon Wing, Room 711
The Louvre's history dates back to the 12th century when it was originally built as a fortress by King Philip II. Over time, it evolved from a royal palace to a public museum during the French Revolution in 1793. The museum’s transformation mirrored France’s evolving political and cultural landscapes, and its collections grew immensely during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte, who expanded the Louvre's holdings through military conquests and acquisitions.
Today, the Louvre is more than just a museum; it is a living, breathing testament to human creativity and achievement. With millions of visitors each year, it is one of the most visited museums in the world, attracting people from all corners of the globe who come to marvel at its treasures
The Eugène Delacroix Museum (Musée Eugène Delacroix) is connected to the Louvre Museum through its shared history and artistic significance in Paris.
The connection between the two museums is largely thematic: both are steeped in French art history, and Delacroix's works played a key role in the Romantic movement, which was contemporaneous with the art collections housed at the Louvre. Additionally, Delacroix's famous painting Liberty Leading the People is one of the Louvre's most iconic pieces, and his influence is felt throughout the museum's galleries.
The Eugène Delacroix Museum is located in the apartment and studio where Delacroix lived and worked for much of his life, situated in the 5th arrondissement of Paris, near the Luxembourg Gardens. While the Louvre presents a broader spectrum of art across periods and cultures, the Delacroix Museum provides a more focused and personal exploration of one artist's legacy, making it a complementary experience for visitors interested in French Romanticism and the museum’s broader artistic context.
The Louvre spans over 72,735 square meters (782,910 square feet) of exhibition space.
The Louvre was established as a museum in 1793, but its origins as a fortress date back to the late 12th century.
Artworks are organized into eight departments, including Paintings, Sculptures, and Antiquities, grouped by culture, period, and medium.
Yes, the Louvre holds many lesser-known masterpieces, such as The Lacemaker by Vermeer and The Seated Scribe from Ancient Egypt.
The pyramid, designed by I. M. Pei, serves as a modern entrance and symbolizes the fusion of historical and contemporary architecture.
The Louvre was originally built as a fortress in the 12th century, and later transformed into a royal palace.
Yes, the medieval foundations of the original fortress can be explored in the museum’s basement.
There are reserved entry tickets to the Louvre that can be purchased online.
Yes, guided tours are available at the museum, and you will learn about lesser-known facts about the building and the artifacts.
Tickets cover admission to both the permanent collections and the temporary exhibitions of the Louvre.
Yes, children under 18 years of age can visit the museum free of cost.
With galleries spreading over 15 acres, and an impressive collection of 480,000 works of art, the Louvre in Paris is the largest museum in the world.
The Louvre collection includes over 480,000 artworks, of which 35,000 are on display across eight curatorial departments. These include sculptures, decorative objects, paintings, drawings, and archaeological finds.
