Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum paintings

The famous Louvre Museum in Paris is the world's most visited museum with 8 million visitors/year.

The Louvre Museum displays the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and many other first class paintings from Italy, France, Flanders and the Netherlands.

The Louvre Museum also displays superb collections of Egyptian, Greek and Roman arts. In September 2012, the Louvre Museum opened its spectacular Islamic Art Department. See more details on collections.

See virtual tour of Louvre Museum, Paris.

Louvre Museum hours

The Louvre Museum is open 9am to 6pm all days except Tuesdays, January 1st, May 1st, November 11th, December 25th. It is open until 10 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The pyramid is the main entrance to the Louvre Museum. To avoid the queue, enter through Carrousel du Louvre entrance, 99 rue de Rivoli or Porte des Lions, 14 Quai Francois Mitterand.

Louvre Museum map

The Louvre Museum is the world's largest museum. We therefore recommend you a guided tour or a guided tour with pick-up at your hotel. If you go alone, use the Louvre interactive map to prepare your visit.

Louvre Museum web site
Louvre Museum interactive floor map
Printable Louvre Museum map PDF

From the main entrance, access one of Paris top shopping malls, a nice complement to your visit. For easy access to the Louvre, get your Paris Museum Pass. The Tuileries Gardens close by are beautiful. We advise you to stay in that central Paris district.

Louvre Museum address

Musee du Louvre
75058 Paris Cedex 01
Locate Louvre Museum on Paris map
Paris metro: station Palais Royal on line 1

Louvre Museum tickets

Full-day Louvre Museum entrance fee: 10 euros. Entrance fee with exhibitions : 14 euros.
Buy Louvre Museum tickeys online.

History of the Louvre Museum

The first Louvre has been commissioned by King Philippe Auguste in 1190 as a fortress. Since 1190, many French Kings, Emperors and Presidents have added their extensions and embellishments.

The Louvre Palace houses the Louvre Museum since 1793. President Francois Mitterrand decided in 1981 the final extension of the Louvre Museum, including the construction of the famous Louvre Pyramid.

See Louvre in 1500 (Saint Germain des Pres and Seine River in foreground, Montmartre in background).