The Louvre: the complete guide for buying a ticket and visiting without the stress
The world's most visited museum holds 380,000 works across three wings — and a queue you can avoid if you know where to go. Below: prices, opening hours, a route through the galleries, and a warning about fake ticket sites posing as the official seller.
How much does a Louvre ticket cost
Since January 14, 2026, a new pricing grid applies: rates for residents of the European Economic Area (EEA) stayed the same, while rates for visitors from elsewhere went up. The difference funds the museum's large-scale modernization and security programme.
Free admission for everyone on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except July and August) and on July 14. The museum publishes its current rate card at louvre.fr — worth checking again before your trip, as prices can be adjusted.
Opening hours
- Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday — 9:00 AM–6:00 PM
- Wednesday and Friday — 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (a good, less crowded evening slot)
- Tuesday — closed
- Last entry is one hour before closing; rooms start clearing 30 minutes before
The museum is also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25.
How to get there
- Metro: Palais-Royal – Musée du Louvre station (lines 1 and 7), right by the pyramid entrance
- Buses: lines 21, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95
- On foot: 5–7 minutes from the Seine embankment to the entrance
If the main glass-pyramid entrance has a long queue, try the Porte des Lions entrance or the underground entrance through the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall — usually quieter.
What to see with just 2–3 hours
The Mona Lisa and Italian painting
Denon wing, room 711. The museum's most popular work — go right at opening, or during the evening hours on Wednesday and Friday, to avoid the densest crowd.
The Venus de Milo and antiquities
Sully wing, ground floor. One of the most recognizable images in Greek sculpture, close to the Egyptian antiquities galleries.
Napoleon III's apartments
Richelieu wing. Gilded 19th-century interiors — a contrast to the austere antiquities galleries, and a good reason to explore a less crowded wing.
Tip: the Louvre's rooms are numbered on the official map — download it in advance from the museum's app or at the entrance, so you don't spend your visit finding your way around.
How to buy a ticket and visit the Louvre without stress
- Book a time slot in advance. From July 1 to August 31, 2026, a reservation is required for nearly all visitor categories — entry without one is only possible under specific exemptions.
- Buy your ticket only on the official site ticket.louvre.fr — it's the only way to guarantee entry at the stated price.
- Go right at opening, or during Wednesday/Friday evening hours — the two calmest windows to visit.
- Get an audio guide or download the map in advance — the museum is huge, and without a reference point it's easy to lose an hour just finding your way.
- Remember that exit is final — plan your route ahead of time, as re-entry on the same ticket isn't allowed.
Map
The Louvre is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris — on the Right Bank of the Seine, between the Tuileries Garden and Place du Palais-Royal.
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Louvre
How much time do I need to visit the Louvre?
2–3 hours is enough for a quick look at the highlights. To see several wings without rushing, plan for 4–5 hours.
Do I need to book a ticket in advance to visit the Louvre?
Yes, booking a time slot in advance is recommended, and from July 1 to August 31, 2026, it's mandatory for most visitors — including free-admission categories.
Is there free admission to the Louvre?
Yes: for visitors under 18, for EEA residents under 26, and for everyone on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (except July and August) and on July 14.
Where can I buy an official Louvre ticket?
Only on the official site ticket.louvre.fr or through the museum's authorized partners. Lookalike sites and street vendors don't guarantee entry.
Can I take photos inside the Louvre?
Yes, amateur photography without flash or a tripod is allowed in most of the permanent galleries.