Visit of the Louvre Museum
Step inside the world’s largest museum.
🕰️ A bit of history!
Formerly a royal palace, the Louvre Museum is now the largest art museum in the world.
Its history dates back to the end of the 12th century, when Philip Augustus decided to build a fortress to protect Paris. It became a royal residence under Charles V, then a Renaissance palace under Francis I, before being transformed into a public museum in 1793 during the French Revolution.
Today, the Louvre houses more than 500,000 works, of which around 35,000 are on display, covering an area of more than 70,000 m². Among its most famous treasures are Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and Géricault's The Raft of the Medusa.
With more than 9 million visitors per year, it is the most visited museum in the world.
ℹ️ How to visit?
The museum is open every day except Tuesday, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., with late night opening on Fridays until 9:45 p.m.
It is strongly recommended that you book your ticket online to avoid long queues, especially during high season.
The main entrance is through the glass pyramid in the Cour Napoléon.
The museum is fully accessible to people with reduced mobility and offers maps, multimedia guides and audio guides in several languages.
Cloakrooms are available in the basement. Large bags and suitcases are not allowed.
⏱️ How long it takes?
The Louvre is huge! For a focused visit, allow around 2 to 3 hours.
For a more in-depth exploration, allow half a day to a full day.
Please note: you can leave and return on the same day with your ticket.
📷 Best time to visit?
The morning when it opens or Friday evening are the best times to enjoy the works without the crowds.
🖼️ Must-see masterpieces ?
🎨 Mona Lisa – Leonardo da Vinci
🪽 Winged Victory of Samothrace – Unknown ancient Greek artist (circa 190 BC)
🗿 Venus de Milo – Alexandros of Antioch
🚣 The Raft of the Medusa – Théodore Géricault
🇫🇷 Liberty Leading the People – Eugène Delacroix
🍷 The Wedding at Cana – Paolo Veronese
✍️ The Seated Scribe – Unknown ancient Egyptian artist (circa 2600 BC)
⚖️ Code of Hammurabi – Commissioned by King Hammurabi (Babylonian legal text)
🐃 Winged Bull of Khorsabad – Assyrian sculptors under Sargon II
🚇 How to get there?
- Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre metro station (lines 1 and 7)
🚗 Private chauffeur service:
We can arrange a personalized transfer. Please don't hesitate to send us a request by e-mail to shuttle@saintlouis-hotels.com.
