Our trip to Paris started with a visit to the Louvre Museum. You can find my complete Paris City Guide here. The Louvre is one of the largest art museums in the world so, as you can imagine, it’s easy to get lost there.
We spent the whole afternoon there and it was such a good start because I love art and history. In this post, I’m going to share with you everything you need to know: from ticket prices, what you need to see, how to avoid the crowds, etc.
HOW TO GET THERE
- Metro: Palais Royal/Musée du Louvre station, lines 1 and 7.
Tip: Find the exit that says La Defénse. That way, you’ll find the Carrousel entrance where the lines are shorter. You can thank me later.
schedule
- Monday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Tuesday: Closed.
- Wednesday: 9 a.m. – 9:45 p.m.
- Thursday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Friday: 9 a.m. – 9:45 p.m.
- Saturday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
- Sunday: 9 a.m. – 6 p.m.
The Louvre is open on public holidays, except the 1st of January, the 1st and 8th of May and the 25th of December. On the first Saturday of each month, the museum is also open from 6pm. at 9:45 pm.
ticket price
A ticket for the museum costs €15 and gives you access to permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. You can also buy it online but that will cost you a bit more, 17€.
Many people can benefit from free entry. You can see that there is a concern to encourage people to consume culture and make it accessible to as many people as possible. Admission is free for those who are:
- Under the age of 18 and 18-25 year-old residents of the EU;
- People with disabilities and the person accompanying them;
- Art teachers;
- Holders of a valid “Pass Education” card;
- Unemployed on presentation of proof of entitlement;
Admission is also free on the first Saturday of each month from 6 p.m. to 9:45 p.m. and on Bastille Day but be aware of the crowds during these days.
How to avoid the crowds
It’s better to take the Carrousel entrance, by going through the underground shopping centre of the Carrousel du Louvre. That way you will avoid the huge lines of the Pyramid entrance that is the most famous, and also the busiest.
Tuesday is national museum closing day in France so, once a week, the Louvre Museum is closed. If you’re planning to take photos outside without anyone around, this is the best time for that. As a result, you get perfect shots without anyone ruining your pictures.
The Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is so large that you could easily spend a few days exploring its exhibits. In fact, if you spend just 10 seconds admiring each object, it would take 96 hours to see the entire museum. So, as you can imagine, it’s impossible to see everything in a short time. That’s why it’s so important to make a list of the artworks you would like to see. Of course you have to see the most famous ones like Mona Lisa, but there may be others that just have a special meaning for you.
The collections are displayed on 5 levels. The museum is also divided into three wings that are all connected: Sully, Denon and Richelieu. Artworks are organized by themes in 8 departments:
- Egyptian Antiquities;
- Near Eastern Antiquities;
- Greek,
- Etruscan and Roman Antiquities;
- Islamic Art;
- Sculptures;
- Paintings;
- Decorative Arts;
- Prints and Drawings.
Note: Here you can download a map/plan of the Louvre.
what you need to see
I found it easier to organize the visit by levels. The most relevant art pieces are on the levels 0 and 1.
Level 0
SULLY WING
- The Venus de Milo
Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities (room 345)
The famous statue represents the goddess of love Aphrodite, or Venus in Roman mythology. It’s one of the most admired works of art in the museum. - Colossal statue of Ramesses II
We really wanted to see the Department of Egyptian Antiquities (room 324).
DENON WING
- The Winged Victory of Samothrace
Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities (room 703)
It’s one of the masterpieces of Hellenistic sculpture. It represents the goddess who personifies Victory. - The Dying Slave
Sculptures, Michelangelo Gallery (room 403)
It’s a sculpture by the iconic Michelangelo. - The whole Department of Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities is very interesting.
Level 1
DENON WING
- Mona Lisa
Paitings (room 711)
You can’t go to the Louvre and not see the Mona Lisa. This painting is, no doubt, Louvre Museum’s most famous art piece. Everyone wants to take a selfie with her new friend. Spoiler alert: it’s a little chaotic there. - The Wedding Feast at Cana
Paitings (room 711)
Directly across Mona Lisa, the Louvre’s largest painting is displayed. It covers the entire wall and represents the biblical narrative of the wedding feast in Cana, during which Christ performed his first miracle, turning water into wine.
- Liberty Leading the People
Paitings (gallery 77)
It represents a scene of the revolution, where you can see a woman guiding the revolutionaries, personifying the Liberty. - Galerie d’Apollon (room 705)
The Galerie d’Apollon is famous for its high vaulted ceilings, with painted decorations. It served as inspiration for the Hall of Mirrors at the Château de Versailles. I was fascinated by all the details. It also houses the impressive French Crown Jewels.
Richelieu Wing
- Appartements Napoléon III (room 544)
The Grand Salon is the largest and most luxurious area of the apartments. You will find yourself surrounded by beautiful golden details and red velvet. The chandeliers are absolutely amazing!
I hope you find this guide useful. Am I forgetting something? Do you have any tips you want to share? Are you planning to go there when this whole coronavirus situation is over?
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