Paris, France · attraction
The Louvre
The Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and 380,000 more works in the world's most-visited museum — timed entry, skip-the-line combos, and after-hours private tours.
The Louvre draws 8-10 million visitors a year to see the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Venus de Milo — plus another 35,000 works on display across the palace's 780,000 square feet. Timed entry is now mandatory; the standard visit takes 3-4 hours if you focus on the highlights. First-hour openings (9-10am) and after-6pm slots on Wednesday and Friday are the least crowded times.
Opening hours
Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday–Monday 9am–6pm. Wednesday + Friday until 9:45pm (last entry 8:30pm). Closed Tuesdays, Dec 25, Jan 1, May 1.
Ticket price
$22–$65
Standard timed entry ~€22 (~$24 USD); guided small-group tours €50–65. Under 18 free; free for EU residents 18–25.
Visit duration
3–5 hours
Best time
The first 9am slot on Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday, or Monday. Friday nights after 6pm are quiet. Avoid Tuesdays (closed) and the two weeks around French school holidays (Toussaint, Christmas).
How to skip the line
Book the timed entry ticket at louvre.fr 30+ days ahead. The Pyramid entrance is the tourist bottleneck; use the Carrousel du Louvre entrance (through the mall from Palais Royal metro) or the Porte des Lions entrance for shorter queues. Private guided tours through Viator include priority entry via a separate door.
Tours & tickets
Live inventory from Viator — every card bookable, prices refresh hourly.
Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel Skip The Line Tickets
- Free cancellation
- Skip the line
- Instant confirmation
Louvre Museum Closing Time Guided Tour with the Mona Lisa
- 4.5★ · 78 reviews
- Free cancellation
- Skip the line
Rodin Museum Paris Entry Ticket with Skip the line and Audio
- Free cancellation
- Skip the line
- Instant confirmation
Skip the line Vatican Museums, Sistine Chapel and St Peters Tour
- 4.7★ · 2776 reviews
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
Skip-the-line Notre-Dame Cathedral, Louvre, Paris City Tour
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
- Short pick · ≤2h
Louvre Museum Premium Guided Tour 6 GUESTS MAX Entry Included
- Top-rated · 5.0★
- Bestseller
- Free cancellation
Paris Musée d'Orsay Fully Guided Skip the Line Tour
- 4.5★ · 622 reviews
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Skip The Line Tickets To The Frida Kahlo Museum
- Skip the line
- Instant confirmation
- Short pick · ≤2h
Sistine Chapel and Vatican Museums Skip The Line Ticket
- Skip the line
- Instant confirmation
- Short pick · ≤2h
Louvre Museum - Highlights Tour with Mona Lisa
- 4.6★ · 1301 reviews
- Free cancellation
- Instant confirmation
Metropolitan Museum of Art Highlights Tour with Skip-the-Line Access
- 4.7★ · 128 reviews
- Free cancellation
- Skip the line
Skip-the-line tickets for the Museum of Anthropology
- Free cancellation
- Skip the line
- Instant confirmation
Getting there
Metro Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 + 7) exits directly under the Carrousel du Louvre entrance. RER C Musée d'Orsay is a 10-minute walk across the Pont Royal.
Nearby food & coffee
Coffee at Café Kitsuné or Café Marlette (both 5-10 min walk); classic bistro lunch at Chez la Vieille or Le Souffle for a Parisian classic; Angelina's famous hot chocolate on rue de Rivoli next door.
Frequently asked questions
How much are Louvre tickets?
Standard timed-entry adult tickets are ~€22 (~$24 USD) if booked online. Guided small-group tours run €50-65. Under 18 is free, as are EU residents aged 18-25 with valid ID.
Do I need to book Louvre tickets in advance?
Yes — timed entry is now mandatory. Walk-up tickets exist but sell out most days by mid-morning. Book on louvre.fr 30+ days ahead for the best time slots.
How long does it take to see the Louvre?
The "highlights" run (Mona Lisa, Venus, Winged Victory, Napoleon III apartments) takes 2-3 hours. A serious visit is 4-5 hours. Coming back on a second day is common.
Is the Mona Lisa worth it?
Yes and no — the painting itself is smaller than expected and you'll be behind rails 4-5 meters back with a jostling crowd. The room around it (Salle des États) has three other Da Vincis worth seeing quietly.
Where is the Louvre in Paris?
On the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement, between Place du Carrousel and Rue de Rivoli. Metro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre is the closest station.
Can you take photos in the Louvre?
Yes — photos allowed everywhere in the museum except in temporary exhibitions and where explicitly marked. No flash, no selfie sticks.
Which day is best to visit the Louvre?
Wednesday and Friday evenings (5-9:45pm) are the quietest slots. Weekday early mornings (9am opening) are also good. Weekends and school-holiday afternoons are the worst.