Denon
Start hereItalian painting, big French Romantic canvases, Greek & Roman sculpture.
14 must-sees in Denon →
← Louvre guide overview
MUSÉE DU LOUVRE · PLAN YOUR VISIT
How to visit the Louvre without losing half a day
Tickets, the entrance with the shortest line, opening hours and a 4-hour plan that actually fits the museum’s layout. Read it once on the plane.
Tickets: always book ahead
Entry is by timed slot. Without one, you join the longest line in Paris under the pyramid.
Prices for non-EU adults went up from €22 to €32 on January 14, 2026.
Book on louvre.fr ↗| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult, non-EU resident | €32 |
| Under 18 | Free |
| EU residents under 26 | Free |
| Visitors with a disability + 1 companion | Free |
Free visitors still need a timed reservation. Prices are from the official site. Confirm before booking.
Pick your entrance
Everyone photographs the pyramid. Fewer people know there are other doors.
- Main The Pyramid Iconic and central, which is why the longest queues form here.
- Our pick Porte des Lions Usually the shortest line, on the Seine side. Opening varies, so check on the day.
- Alternative Passage Richelieu Off the rue de Rivoli side, and a good option with a timed ticket.
Opening hours
- MON09:00–18:00
- TUEClosed
- WED09:00–21:45Late night
- THU09:00–18:00
- FRI09:00–21:45Late night
- SAT09:00–18:00
- SUN09:00–18:00
Also closed Jan 1, May 1 and Dec 25. Quietest: a weekday right at 09:00, or Wed/Fri evening. That’s also the best time for the Mona Lisa.
Getting there
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Metro 1 or 7
Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. Closest stop.
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RER A
Châtelet – Les Halles, then about 10 minutes on foot.
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On foot
From the Tuileries, Notre-Dame or the Marais. Skip the car.
The 3 wings, in one minute
All three connect through the Hall Napoléon under the pyramid. Know which wing holds what, and you won’t backtrack.
Sully
SecondEgyptian and Greek antiquities, and the medieval fortress underneath.
- Venus de Milo
- Great Sphinx
- Medieval moat
Richelieu
If time allowsNorthern European painting, Mesopotamia, Napoleon III’s apartments.
- Code of Hammurabi
- Lamassu
A 4-hour plan that works
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09:00 · 15 min
Arrive at opening
Come with a timed ticket and use a side entrance, Porte des Lions or Passage Richelieu, to skip the pyramid queue.
Head straight up to Denon. The first hour is the quietest of the day.
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09:15 · about 2 hours
Denon first
The busiest wing, so do it before the tour groups. Up the Daru Staircase, through the Grande Galerie, then the big French canvases and the Michelangelo gallery.
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11:15 · about 1 hour
Cross to Sully
Greek and Egyptian antiquities, and the medieval fortress the palace was built on.
- Venus de MiloRoom 345
Great Sphinx of TanisRoom 338
Medieval moatLevel −1
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12:15 · about 45 min
Richelieu, if you still can
The quietest wing. Mesopotamia on the ground floor, then up to the Napoleon III Apartments.
Code of HammurabiRoom 227- LamassuRoom 229
Napoleon III Apartments1st floor
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13:00 · done
Out for lunch
Stop before museum fatigue wins. The Tuileries garden is right outside.
Still curious? The Orangerie is a 15-minute walk through the Tuileries.
Six small things that save your feet
- Wear comfortable shoesYou’ll walk several kilometres indoors.
- Download a map offlineSave the official Louvre app map before you go.
- Do Denon firstThat’s where the crowds head, so get there before them.
- Take the stairsOften quicker than waiting for a lift.
- Bring water and a snackCafés inside are busy at lunchtime.
- Keep your ticketYou’ll need it for re-entry.
Quick answers
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes. Entry is by timed reservation, including for free visitors.
How long should I spend?
3–5 hours. A focused 4-hour route covers the 25 must-sees.
Which works shouldn’t I miss?
Start with the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus de Milo, then see the full 25.
Do I need an audio guide?
Not required, but labels are short. Compare the options.
