Musée du Louvre
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- Musée du Louvre
Description
Stretching alongside the Seine and presiding over the Tuileries Gardens, the sumptuous Louvre palace has been centre stage for many major moments in French history. Built in the 13th century by Philippe-Auguste, it was the official royal residence until Louis XIV decided to move his court to Versailles in the 1600s.
After the French Revolution, the palace became a museum, with a priceless permanent collection that now encompasses many centuries of art history. Today the most-visited museum in the world, highlights include spectacular antiquities and a breathtaking hoard of 19th-century paintings. Covering more than 70,000 m2, over four floors and three wings – Richelieu, Denon and Sully –, the Louvre is a city within a city. And even the most ardent enthusiasts will have to accept they can’t see all 35,000 works on display in just one day!
A temple of masterpieces in the heart of Paris
The sections devoted to Egyptology and Eastern and Western Antiquity will fascinate young and old. The covered Marly and Puget courtyards hold monumental sculptures, while on the ground floor of the Sully wing, the Caryatides room is a shrine to Renaissance art. Next, just a step away, you can admire the “Venus de Milo” and the breathtaking “Nike of Samothrace” at the top of the famed marble Daru staircase.
On the lower floor of the Denon wing, under a glass roof, the Visconti courtyard holds more marvels: the museum’s exquisite Islamic art collection. On the first floor, the Salle des États holds the museum’s most famous treasures: Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” and, opposite, Veronese’s “Wedding Feast at Cana”. The neighbouring rooms celebrate great French and Italian painters, including Géricault, Ingres, Delacroix, Raphael, Botticini and Botticelli. If you want to step away from the crowds, the apartments of Napoleon III, on the first floor of the Richelieu wing, give a fascinating insight into the splendour of France’s Second Empire.
An exceptional heritage
The Louvre’s structure provides a fascinating journey through architectural history, encompassing elements of classical, Renaissance, and Second Empire design. More recent additions include I.M. Pei’s iconic 1989 glass pyramids : the largest of which stands at the centre of the Napoleon courtyard, while a smaller, inversed version hangs over the Carrousel du Louvre.
To learn more about the history and evolution of the building, head to the Pavillon de l’Horloge where animated architectural models, interactive displays and archival documents explain how this imposing royal palace was transformed into a museum.
Make the most of your visit
If time is short, head for the Carrousel entrance, which is usually less busy than the main entrance. To prepare your visit, download the museum’s map and free mobile app in advance. Tickets are valid all day, allowing you to set your own pace, but if you think you need extra time, remember the museum is open late – until 9.45 pm – on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Discover the Louvre museum through one of the treasure hunts in the Paris Region Adventures application specially designed for families and downloadable free of charge.
TOP TIP: the admission ticket to the Louvre's permanent collections and temporary exhibitions is included in the Paris Region Pass Experience.
Community facilities
Access and contact
Metro Palais-Royal – Musée-du-Louvre, lines 1 et 7 Bus 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95
Days and opening hours
Every day throughout the year between 9 am and 6 pm. Closed on Tuesday. All year round. Every day from 9am to 6pm. Nocturne on Fridays until 9.45pm. Online booking required. Last admission 1 hour before closing time. The admission ticket to the Louvre gives you access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions as well as to the Eugène-Delacroix National Museum on the same day and the day after your visit to the Louvre.
The admission ticket to the Louvre gives you access to the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, as well as to the Eugène-Delacroix National Museum on the same day and the day after your visit to the Louvre.
Live waiting time
Prices
- 17 €
- Adult: 17 € (Online booking required (guaranteed entry in less than 30 minutes).).
Free entry for children < 18 years. Group rate available for > 25 people.
Free: European Union residents under the age of 26.
Paris Museum Pass accepted: compulsory reservation of a time slot.
Services
- Ticketing in number
Tour
Spoken languages
- English
- French
Guided tour languages
- English
- Spanish
- French
- Italian
Single mean time tour
180 minsSingle services tour
- Unguided individual tours available permanently
Accessibility
See on accessible.net- General
- Physical disability
- Deaf / Hard of Hearing
- Visual impairment
- Mental / Cognitive
- Family
- Senior
Access
Pratical informations
Label
- access to the establishment: graspable outside call button
- floor-level pathways
- pathways that change levels are offset by a sloping surface
- reserved and adapted parking space located close to the entrance of the site
- parking spaces laid out and connected to the road or building by an accessible pathway
- reception desk easily identifiable and accessible
- free admission for one accompanying person
- free admission on presentation of proof of entitlement
- the accessible entrance is the main entrance
- the accessible entrance is the secondary entrance (indicated)
- staff informed or trained
- specific tariff policy
- revolving entrance door
- automatic entrance door
- manual entrance door
- accessible information plates
- all documentation graspable
- performance room with a reserved space
- accessible cloakroom
- multimedia content access system
- spaces equipped with reserved spaces and adapted to people in wheelchairs
- floor-level establishment
- wheelchair loan
- seated area available
- seated areas available (several spread out across the entire site)
- présence d’un lave main dans les sanitaires adaptés
- accessible communal toilets
- toilets: transfer direction onto the toilet seat to the right
- toilets: transfer direction onto the toilet seat to the left
- Communal staircase adapted for secure movement
- adapted elevator
- elevator
Label
- acceo: instant speech transcription and visio-interpretation in French sign language (LSF)
- reception/information desk equipped with a hearing assistance system with a magnetic loop
- reservation/contact via SMS and/or email
- reservation possible by webcam
- staff trained in French sign language (LSF)
- uniform signage to help people find their way around
- text/image signage
- performance or tour assistance aids
- visual alarm with flashing light in isolated spaces
- intercom equipped with a hearing assistance system with a magnetic loop
- audiovisuals are in French sign language (LSF)
- subtitled audiovisuals
- visioguide with overlay in French sign language (LSF)
- subtitled visioguide
- adapted elevator
- audioguides equipped with a volume control device
- audioguides equipped with induction loops
- independent visit possible
- guided tour in French sign language (LSF)
- guided tour in international sign language (ISL)
- guided tours with lip reading
- guided tours with an amplifying device
- guided tours with a magnetic loop device
- exterior pathways identifiable by touch
- exterior pathways visually identifiable
- exterior lighting control system in communal areas
- interior pathways identifiable by touch
- interior pathways visually identifiable
- audioguide with description elements
- audioguide with guidance elements
- Braille documentation
- documentation in enlarged characters
- swell paper documentation
- floor-level establishment
- offset or no obstacles at face height
- navigation assistance tool (e.g. map/model - in relief/large characters/contrasting colours)
- possibility to control the lighting
- magnifying glass loan
- glass surfaces identifiable via contrasted elements in relation to the immediate surroundings
- audiodescription system
- elevator with audio announcements for each floor
- elevator with identifiable call buttons
- Legible information plates
- specific accessible information plates
- tactile tour
Label
- the dangers identified have been addressed
- brochures/documentations classified by topic
- simplified adapted documentation (illustration through images, photos, drawings)
- adapted signage
- adapted activities
- educational workshops
- adapted room cards
- specific tours
- floor-level pathways
- adapted opening hours (morning performances)
- children's programme
- childcare service
- family tariffs/free admission for children
- secure and closed establishment
- large lockers or left luggage lockers for pushchairs
- possibility to leave pushchairs at the cloakroom
- floor-level establishment
- baby carrier loan
- pushchair loan
- toilet facilities suitable for children (toilet seat and washbasin height)
- changing table
- children's/family applications for the tour
- audioguides with a children's circuit
- children's visit booklets/games
- pushchairs accepted for the tour
- visioguides with a children's circuit
- floor-level pathways
- Pathways that change levels are offset by a sloping surface
- pets accepted on site and during guided tours
- reception desk easily identifiable and accessible
- reception/information desk equipped with a sound amplification system
- free admission for persons aged over 60
- Offer adapted to seniors
- cloakroom
- documentation in enlarged characters
- floor-level establishment
- wheelchair loan
- magnifying glass loan
- cane wheelchair loan
- seated areas available (several spread out across the entire site)
- horizontal support rail
- diagonal support rail to enable the seated person to raise themselves up easily
- communal staircase adapted for secure movement
- stairs compensated for by a lift or an elevator
- audioguides equipped with a volume control device
- audioguides equipped with induction loops
- Legible information plates
- Specific accessible information plates (large characters)
Buy your tickets
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- Copyright image:
- CRT Paris IDF / JL Polion