Why visit / Interesting facts:
- The world's largest museum
- Fabulous collection
- One of the most known museums in the world
Time required: 180 minutes
Phone: +33 1 40 20 51 77
Web site: http://www.louvre.fr
Opening hours:
| Time period | Opening hours |
|---|---|
| Mon, Thurs, Sat, Sun: | 9am - 6pm |
| Wed, Fri: | 9am - 10pm |
| Tuesday: | Closed |
| May 1, Dec 25, Jan 1: | Closed |
Admission:
| Ticket type | Charge |
|---|---|
| General: | 9.5 € |
| Wednesday, Friday: 6pm - 9:45pm: | 6 € |
| First Sunday of each month : | Free |
| 14 July: | Free |
Public transport:
- Metro Line 1: Palais Royal Musee du Louvre station
- Metro Line 7: Palais Royal Musee du Louvre station
Address: rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris
Photos: (see more photos)
Photo: Storm Crypt
Things you need to know:
- The Louvre is the most important museum of France and one of the world's best known museums
- King François I founded the museum in 1527 with 12 paintings looted from Italy (including the Mona Lisa and Virgin of the Rocks)
- Now more than 35 000 items are on display (antiquites, paintings, drawings, sculptures)
- The building used to be a royal palace that dates back to the 11th century
- The controversial glass pyramid was built in 1989
- Louvre is the world's largest museum
What to do there:
- Upon entering the museum take a museum map or rent an audio guide (costs 6 €) because all descriptions are in French
- Make your way straight up to the 2nd floor and work your way down viewing all the collections as you go. Most people start at the bottom and go upwards so you can be held up
- Make sure not to miss Venus de Milo, The Turkish Bath, The Card Sharper, The Lacemaker, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Mona Lisa and the Virgin of the Rocks
Tips & Insights:
- In order to avoid the long lines approach the museum from the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre metro station. The underground exit takes you directly to the gallery. There is a Tabac shop where you can buy your tickets. Enter the musuem through 'Passage Richelieu' on rue Rivoli
- The other option to avoid the long lines is to go in through the pyramid down into the main lobby. Head straight for the ticket machines rather than the kiosks. The machines only take cash but are simple to use
- If you already have your ticket - bought it in advance or you have a museum pass - use either the 'Passage Richelieu' entrance located at 93 rue de Rivoli or 'Porte des Lions' entrance on the opposite side of the 'Passage Richelieu' entrance
- Be prepared that the museum is always very crowded; especially in front of the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo
- Visit in the evening on a late opening day (Wednesday and Friday). If you go after 6pm on these days the entrance fee is lower and you avoid the huge crowds and tourist groups
