Do you want to know the best way to get your Louvre Museum tickets? Find out all about tickets price, how to skip the line, who is eligible for discounts, special combos including other attractions and more!
The Louvre Museum is the most visited museum in the world, receiving millions of visitors every year. If you want to see this exceptional palace-turned-gallery on your trip to Paris, getting your tickets will guarantee you can visit the Louvre and discover some of the world’s most famous artworks, from the Venus de Milo to the Mona Lisa.
How much do Louvre Museum tickets cost?
Tickets to enter the world-famous Louvre Museum vary slightly depending on the specific option chosen and whether you wish to enjoy a guided tour as part of your visit in order to obtain additional information and insight.
Fortunately, a visit to the Louvre is a fun and informative day out that does not break the bank.
Louvre Museum standard ticket
Purchasing a standard ticket for the Louvre Museum costs €22 per person for adults.
It should be noted that queues at the entrance are often incredibly long, and so it is advisable to book your ticket in advance.
You can book the ticket on the official website. Sometimes, during public holidays and peak season, the tickets can be sold out. However, there are several websites that still sell Louvre Museum last minute tickets for a slightly higher price (usually €2 to €3 more). You can compare the prices through TourScanner.
Louvre Museum audio guide booking
An audio-guided tour of the Louvre costs an additional €6 per person on the official website of the Louvre. This is purchased as an additional booking to the individual ticket, but can be purchased at the same time.
This is an excellent option for those travelers who wish to receive more information about the exhibits they are viewing without the cost of a guided tour.
Louvre Museum guided tour booking
A visit to the Louvre is often a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and so it makes sense that those with some level of interest in history or the arts would like to enjoy the expertise of a guide whom they can ask questions.
For an in-house guided tour of the Louvre, a booking costs €12. For a combined ticket including entrance to the Louvre and a guided tour, the cost is €31. Guided tours are discounted at €9 for people who are eligible for entry.
You can choose between tours that take you to masterpieces of the Louvre, lesser-known artworks or family-friendly tours. There is also a plethora of guided tour options available that are offered by tour operators outside of the Louvre Museum.
Standard and express tours lead groups of tourists around the museum’s most notable highlights, private tours offer personalized, bespoke options and themed tours offer different perspectives or focus on classic pieces.
Those traveling with children also have the option of doing a family tour which makes the experience more entertaining for little ones with short attention spans.
Read more about the best Louvre Museum tours.
Who is eligible for discounts?
People of certain ages and occupations are eligible for free entry to the Louvre Museum.
These people are:
- Children and youth under the age of 18
- Residents between the ages of 18 and 25 who live in the EU
- Disabled individuals and their companion
- Job seekers and people on income support
- Journalists
- Teachers of art and art-related subjects
- Teachers at French schools
- Artists affiliated with Maison des Artistes or International Association of Art
- ICOM/ICOMOS card holders
It should be noted that proof of ID and other relevant documentation is required if you fall into the above categories and are trying to receive free Louvre Museum tickets. Visitors will typically be asked to show this upon arrival at the museum.
There is an information desk situated under the pyramid structure at the museum entrance where you can check that you have the right details before getting in line if you have any concerns or uncertainties.
It’s advised that even if you qualify for free admission, you must still book your ticket in advance in order to secure your desired date and time for visiting.
You can check the official information on the Louvre’s own website for reference and additional information.
Is it possible to visit the Louvre Museum for free?
It is possible to visit the Louvre Museum for free on July 14th, which is Bastille Day, when it is open to all visitors. However, keep in mind that if this date falls on a Tuesday it will not be open.
If you do visit on the free visit day, you should try to get to the museum early, and be prepared to fight through any potential crowds.
It is also possible to visit the Tuileries Garden for free. If you’re not able to enter the Louvre, you can admire sculptures that are dotted across the garden at no cost.
What is included in the Louvre Museum ticket? What will you see?
A Louvre Museum ticket includes access to the permanent and temporary collections at the museum, as well as entry to the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix within 48 hours.
“Permanent collection” means exhibitions and displays that are constantly present on site. Occasionally, the museum also hosts temporary collections, which are exhibits that travel the world and stop by the most notable museums.
Many people simply associate the Louvre with the Mona Lisa, and outside of peering at this infamous painting, they are not sure of what else to do while visiting.
Yet, the Louvre has a collection of over 400,000 items, 35,000 of which are on display. With numerous rooms that are divided into different collections across history and geography, you are spoilt for choice.
As wide-ranging as the collections are, the museum itself is fascinating. With your Louvre Museum tickets, you can delve into art from around the world, as well as the former palace’s history.
The Pyramid
One of the most notable things you will see on your visit to the Louvre is the Pyramid. This is the main entrance to the museum and a fascinating contrast to the classical architectural style of the palace. Inaugurated in 1989, the glass structure has since become a symbol recognized around the world.
Underground moat
Did you know it was possible to go underground at the Louvre? The Louvre was originally built as a castle in the 12th century, and today you can go beneath the museum to walk along the path of a former moat.
The Louvre Castle was eventually destroyed to make way for the building of the palace, which eventually became the museum it is known for today.
Paintings of the Louvre
Dating from the 13th to the 19th century, the painting collection displayed at the Louvre contains works from some of the most important artists in European art history.
The collection here displays world-renowned masterpieces by leading Italian, French and Spanish artists, including Leonardo da Vinci, Bartolomé Esteban Murillo and Eugène Delacroix.
While the Mona Lisa the most famous painting in the Louvre, there are also many more works by Da Vinci on display. You can also admire famed pieces such as The Wedding Feast at Cana by Paolo Veronese, the largest painting in the Louvre, Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix and The Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David.
There are also paintings that formed part of the former palace itself. Head to the Galerie d’Apollon, which was designed for the self-proclaimed “Sun King” Louis XIV, to admire works painted onto the ceilings and walls. Delacroix painted a central ceiling piece here, called Apollo Slaying the Serpent Python.
Sculptures of the Louvre
The Louvre is home to some of the most recognizable and iconic sculptures in the world. One of the most notable is The Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Standing atop the Daru staircase, this sculpture dates back to the 2nd century and was discovered in pieces in Greece in 1863. The Daru staircase is itself a work of art that was constructed in the 19th century.
Another famous figure of the Louvre is Venus de Milo. A masterpiece of Greek sculpture, the Venus de Milo has been on display at the Louvre since 1821.
There are stunning examples of Italian sculpture on display at the Michaelangelo Gallery. Here, you can admire Michaleangelo’s fine work in his sculptures of slave figures. Also displayed here is Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss by Antonio Canova, one of the most emotive sculptures exhibited at the Louvre.
You can view sculptures designed to be outside in the breathtaking Cour Marly and Cour Puget, where light trickles into the courts through glass ceilings. This illuminates the sculptures, some of which were once housed at Versailles.
Yet, the Louvre is not limited to Greek and Italian sculptures. You can also find a statue head from Easter Island and an iron sculpture of the god Gu from Benin. The oldest object in the Louvre is in fact a 9,000-year-old ʿAin Ghazal statue from Jordan.
The Egyptian collection
The Louvre’s Department of Egyptian Antiquities is home to an impressive collection of 6,000 works spanning centuries. This collection is divided between two floors and reflects 5,000 years of history.
The ancient items on display here range from elaborate sarcophagi to important stone sculptures and obelisks, dating as far back as the late prehistoric era. Introducing visitors to the exhibition is the Great Sphinx of Tanis, a large part-human, part-lion sculpture.
The artifacts displayed on the bottom floor, including hieroglyphs, sarcophagi and the remains of a tomb, provide insight into the lives of ancient Egyptians.
On the top floor, the exhibition is organized in chronological order, taking visitors along a timeline of Egyptian history and bringing ancient Egypt back to life.
Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities
Containing an impressive and incredibly well-preserved selection of marble sculptures (Venus de Milo and The Winged Victory of Samothrace among them), the Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities of the Louvre also include Greek pottery, sarcophagi and fragments of wall paintings.
The expansive Greek and Roman antiquities collection on display at the Louvre dates back to Neolithic times. This exhibit offers great insight into the history of two of the world’s most important ancient civilizations.
Notable pieces on display include statues of Roman emperors, jewelry and marble thrones.
Near Eastern antiquities
The Louvre has an incredible diversity of art, which you can discover in their Near Eastern collection. Consisting of artworks and items from Levant, ancient Iran and Mesopotamia, this collection has some of the oldest items in the Louvre dating back to 7,000 B.C.
One of the most prominent exhibitions you can view is the Palace of Sargon II in Cour Khorsabad. This courtyard features the remains of a palace built by King Sargon II, from a city he attempted to create but died before completing. Admire the towering hybrid creatures that once protected the palace, and a piece featuring Gilgamesh.
Islamic art
In Cour Visconti, a courtyard covered by an undulating roof, you can find a collection of nearly 3,000 works of Islamic art. From intricate Iznik tiles to daggers embedded with jewels, this collection is a beautiful foray into the past.
One of the most notable works here is a brass basin with gold and silver depicting princes and myriad animals. In fact, Louis XIII was baptized in this basin. Other stunning works include a sculpture of a lion with an articulated tail and an Iranian panel of 63 ceramic tiles.
Drawings and prints
The Louvre is not just home to exceptional sculptures and paintings, but original prints and drawings too, from Da Vinci and Michaelangelo to Delacroix and Rembrandt.
This section of the Louvre contains the most fragile pieces, which are very sensitive to light. In fact, these drawings and prints can only be displayed for up to four months at a time, before having to be returned back to darkened storage rooms for at least another five years.
Period rooms
For insight into the lives of royals, you can also visit the period rooms of the Louvre, which recreate the residences of the French monarchs, including Marie Antoinette.
With furniture and objects sourced from Versailles and other mansions and chateaus, this is an accurate representation of the lifestyle of the aristocrats and is worth a visit if you are unable to travel to Versailles itself.
Here, you can see Marie Antoinette’s original travel case, opulent furniture and other intricate decorative items.
Napoleon III Apartments
While the Louvre is most well-known around the world as a museum, it was first built as a castle and fortress before becoming a palace.
Since Francis I demolished the castle and built a palace, subsequent monarchs have added to it to create the expansive buildings seen today. Many of these monarchs had great art collections, and parts of the Louvre first became a museum in the 18th century.
The Louvre continued to play a stately role afterward. Napoleon III expanded the Louvre in the mid-19th century, and the original rooms from this time can still be seen.
Today you can admire the opulent spaces that played host to the Minister of State and his guests, and unique artifacts such as the three-seater armchair and musician’s platform.
French Crown Jewels
Get a further taste for royal life at the Galerie d’Apollon, where you can view the French Crown Jewels. Among these jewels are emerald and diamond pieces that once belonged to Empress Marie Louise, and the Côte-de-Bretagne red spinel, a stone carved into the shape of a dragon and the oldest gem in the Crown Jewel collection.
Another famous gem is the Regent diamond, considered one of the most beautiful diamonds in the world. It has adorned the crowns of the French kings, and was even placed in the sword of Napolean I.
The Galerie d’Apollon in fact served as the inspiration for the Hall of Mirrors at Versailles, and also contains the ornamental and detailed hardstone vessels kept by French monarchs.
Tuileries Garden
While the Tuileries Garden is one of the most picturesque sites at the Louvre and in Paris, it is in fact named after the tile factories (tuileries) that once stood in its place.
These gardens have flourished in Paris for 500 years since they were first established, and even survived the fires that burnt down the Tuileries Palace.
The gardens are divided into three sections: the Grand Carré which features ponds and flower beds, the Grand Couvert which is lined with trees, and the Octogone which surrounds the Grand Bassin, a popular pond with locals and tourists alike.
The Tuileries Garden is ideal for kids. They can sail boats on the Grand Bassin, hop on trampolines and even ride a carousel.
The Tuileries are also excellent for viewing art, and for free! Sculptures from classical to modern works dot the gardens, and you can take your time to get up close and admire these pieces.
Musée National Eugène-Delacroix
A Louvre Museum ticket also gives you entry into the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix within 48 hours. This museum was once the apartment of Eugène Delacroix, the famed French painter who created masterpieces such as Liberty Leading the People, which is prominently displayed at the Louvre.
On a visit to the museum, you will not only learn about the artist who was revered in his time, but see many more examples of his work. This is a great add-on to a visit to the Louvre for art fanatics, and provides a well-rounded view of the history of art in France.
How do you book Louvre Museum tickets in advance? How do you skip the line?
You should aim to book your Louvre Museum tickets online in order to avoid having to wait a long time at the entrance.
The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, and queues can get incredibly long during the day – often meaning that you are standing around for hours before you even get inside.
Visitors to the Louvre can either book their tickets online from the official Louvre website up to two months in advance, or from an online travel agency. When booking Louvre Museum tickets, you can opt for either the standard ticket or a guided or audio tour.
Booking in advance also gives you more date and time options to choose from, and is worth the extra cost as it saves you from queuing on losing time on the day.
It is best to compare prices between a few providers before making a purchase, as discounts and deals are sometimes available and can save you some money.
Can you cancel or modify your Louvre Museums tickets?
Standard Louvre Museum tickets cannot be canceled or modified, so you should take care when purchasing your ticket to make sure you are happy with the date and time slot.
Suppose you decide to book a guided tour for the Louvre through another tour operator. In that case, you may be eligible for a refund or the ability to change your ticket, depending on the specific terms held by the provider you chose.
Is the Louvre Museum ticket included in the Paris Pass?
Yes! The Paris Pass includes a Louvre Museum ticket, in addition to access to some of the French capital’s most notable tourist attractions.
This is a good way to save money, since most travelers will indeed visit other sites, such as the Eiffel Tower or Notre Dame, while they are in town.
There is also the separate Paris Museums Pass for access just to the museums and monuments. We break down the different passes below.
Paris Pass
A general Paris travel pass includes entrance to dozens of attractions around the French capital. Variations of the pass are available depending on budget, specific interests and trip duration.
The Paris Pass often includes a hop-on hop-off bus pass for ease of getting around the main touristic sites, as well as admission to the most notable attractions such as the Eiffel Tower and a Seine river cruise.
It should be noted, however, that the Louvre Museum ticket is only included in the 4- and 6-day Paris Passes. These passes automatically include the 4- and 6-day Paris Museum Passes, which provide you with additional access to museums that are not included in the Paris Pass.
These passes cost from €229 for a 4-day pass and €269 for a 6-day pass.
Paris Museums Pass
If you consider yourself a history buff, an art aficionado or a culture vulture, then the Paris Museums Pass may be right up your street.
The Paris Museums Pass is an excellent choice for people who want to focus their Paris trip on educational experiences and museum visits.
This pass provides travelers with access to over 50 museums and monuments in Paris, including the Louvre Museum, Arc de Triomphe, Centre Pompidou and the Conciergerie.
Options include a 2-day, 4-day and 6-day pass. A 2-day pass costs €62, while a 4-day pass costs €77 and a 6-day pass costs €92.
Paris travel passes are a great way to save money during your time in Paris and they work out much cheaper than purchasing the various attraction admissions separately.
People who purchase Paris passes also get additional benefits that are useful to their trips, such as area maps, further discounts in the city and a handy guide to the city. Paris passes can be purchased online or via the various tourist information offices scattered around the city.
What are the Louvre Museum opening hours?
The Louvre Museum is open every day of the week except Tuesdays. The specific daily openings are summarized below:
- Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 9 AM to 6 PM
- Friday: 9 AM to 9:45 PM
The last entry to the Louvre is 1 hour before closing time. Rooms and exhibitions begin closing approximately 30 minutes before the museum closure time, so it is advisable to allow enough time for your visit and not arrive too late in the day.
Besides Tuesdays, the Louvre is also closed on Jan. 1, Dec. 25 and May 1.
An important factor to note is that not all museum rooms are open to the public at all times due to renovations. You can check on the official website ahead of time to find out which rooms will be closed during your visit.
The opening times for the Tuileries Garden are also listed below:
- January, February, March, October, November and December: 7:30 AM to 7:30 PM.
- June, July and August: 7 AM to 11 PM
- April, May and September: 7 AM to 9 PM
You will also be asked to leave the Tuileries Garden 30 minutes before closing time.
Avoid the crowd – When is the best time to visit the Louvre Museum?
If you want to miss the crowds and you plan on visiting the Louvre independently without a tour guide, early mornings or evenings are a good time to go. Just make sure that you allow sufficient time to see everything you want before closing.
Given the size of the Louvre and the number of artworks, it’s impossible to see the whole of the Louvre within a day. The museum recommends visiting the Denon wing if you are short on time to see the most famous artworks, such as the Mona Lisa.
If you have more time to spend at the Louvre, visit the Sully and Richelieu wings to escape the crowds.
You also have the option to participate in a morning or evening guided tour that enables you to skip the majority of the tourist crowds.
Are there any combos available including Louvre Museum tickets and other Paris attractions?
There are a number of ticket combination options available that enable you to visit several Paris attractions at a discounted price. As mentioned, you have the option of the Paris Pass.
However, if you wish to combine a small handful or a pairing of attractions, there are other more affordable options available.
For inspiration on the best attractions to see in Paris, or for guidance on the combination options available, check out our available options for Louvre Museum tickets that are paired with other options such as the Eiffel Tower, a scenic Seine river cruise.
Combined tours are an excellent way of making the most of your time in Paris. With countless attractions in the city, these tours provide a structured way of seeing the best of not just the Louvre Museum, but also the Eiffel Tower and the Seine.
Some tours even combine all three, letting you cruise on the Seine, climb the Eiffel Tower and explore the Louvre, all within a single day!
Looking for more activities? Don’t miss our selection of fun things to do in Paris!
Travel tips
- Check which rooms are scheduled to be open or closed on the desired date of your visit before booking your tickets. You don’t want to arrive at the Louvre and discover you won’t be able to see your favorite artworks.
- With numerous rooms and thousands of artworks, it’s impossible to see the Louvre Museum in a day. Plan what you want to see ahead of time to make sure you make the most of your ticket and time. You can also use the maps and itineraries from the official website to determine how to make your way through the Louvre.
- With a pre-booked ticket, you can enter the Louvre from multiple different entrances. Choose an alternate entrance to the main Pyramid entrance, as this can get packed with people trying to enter.
- Make sure you wear comfortable shoes. The Louvre is the world’s largest museum, and the exhibition spaces alone cover 70,000 square kilometers. While you won’t be covering this distance, you will be standing and walking for much of your visit.
- While the artwork is the main attraction of the Louvre Museum, make a stop at one of the numerous restaurants and cafes for a delectable treat and a comfortable place to sit and relax. On your way out, don’t forget to stop by the gift stores for unique souvenirs from the museum.
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