Louvre Museum Tickets (2026) | Skip the Line Paris

What to See at the Louvre

The Louvre Museum, located in the 1st arrondissement of Paris on the Right Bank of the Seine, is the world's largest and most visited art museum. Housed in the historic Louvre Palace — originally built as a medieval fortress in the late 12th century under King Philip II — the museum spans 72,735 square metres of gallery space and holds approximately 380,000 objects, of which around 35,000 are on display at any time.

Must-see masterpieces include:

Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) — Salle des États, Denon Wing, 1st floor
Venus de Milo — Greek antiquities, Sully Wing, ground floor
Winged Victory of Samothrace — top of the Daru staircase, Denon Wing
The Wedding at Cana (Veronese) — Salle des États, opposite the Mona Lisa
Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix) — Denon Wing, 1st floor
The Coronation of Napoleon (David) — Denon Wing, 1st floor
The Great Sphinx of Tanis — Egyptian antiquities, Sully Wing

The collections span eight curatorial departments: Egyptian Antiquities, Near Eastern Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings, and Prints and Drawings.

Practical Information

Plan your visit with these essential details

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Location

Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France. Located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the 1st arrondissement, in the heart of Paris.

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Duration

Plan at least 2-4 hours for a highlights visit. A thorough visit of the entire museum would take several days. Most visitors spend 3-4 hours.

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Getting There

Metro: Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 & 7). Bus: 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95. The Carrousel du Louvre entrance is accessible from Rue de Rivoli.

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Tips

Use the less crowded Porte des Lions or Carrousel du Louvre entrances instead of the main Pyramid. Wednesday and Friday evenings are ideal for a calmer visit.

Visitors Guide FAQ

Common questions about visiting the Louvre

How long do I need to visit the Louvre?

For a highlights tour focusing on the most famous works (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory), plan at least 2-3 hours. To explore more thoroughly, 4-5 hours is recommended. Seeing every gallery would take multiple days.

What are the must-see works at the Louvre?

The top must-see works are: the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix, The Wedding at Cana by Veronese, and the Crown Jewels in the Apollo Gallery.

How is the museum laid out?

The Louvre is divided into three wings: Denon (Italian and French paintings, including the Mona Lisa), Sully (Egyptian antiquities, Greek antiquities including Venus de Milo), and Richelieu (French sculpture, decorative arts, Northern European paintings). All wings connect under the Glass Pyramid.

Which entrance is the best?

The main entrance is the Glass Pyramid, but it often has the longest queues. The Carrousel du Louvre entrance (99 Rue de Rivoli) and the Porte des Lions entrance (on the Seine side) are usually less crowded. All entrances lead to the same central hall.

Where is the Mona Lisa located?

The Mona Lisa is in the Salle des États (Room 711), on the 1st floor of the Denon Wing. Follow the signs from the central hall under the Pyramid. It is the most visited room in the museum, so expect crowds, especially between 11 AM and 3 PM.

Louvre Museum Visitors Guide