The Louvre is the world's most visited museum and Paris's defining cultural landmark: a former royal palace housing over 35,000 works, from the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace to vast Egyptian, Greek and European collections. Set between the Seine and the Tuileries, with Pei's glass Pyramid at its heart, it's a must-see on any first visit to Paris and a benchmark for art lovers.

• Louvre Museum Pre-Reserved Entry Tickets

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  €56
• Paris: Outside the Louvre Immersive VR Tour

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  €33
• Louvre Museum Hosted Entry with Mona Lisa Tour

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  €67
• Louvre Museum: Dedicated Entry + Guided Tour (Skip-the-Line)

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  €80
• Louvre Museum Skip-the-Line Guided Tour

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  €114

About Louvre Museum

Originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II, the Louvre was transformed into a royal palace and served as the seat of power for French monarchs until Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles. This historical evolution is visible in its architecture, which blends medieval, Renaissance, and neoclassical styles across three main wings: Denon, Sully, and Richelieu. The museum's modern era is defined by the bold glass Pyramid designed by I. M. Pei, which serves as the main entrance in the Cour Napoléon. This striking structure creates a unique dialogue between the classical stone façades of the palace and 20th-century visionary design, leading visitors into a vast subterranean lobby that organizes the flow into the eight curatorial departments. Inside, the collections span thousands of years, covering civilizations from the Near East and Egypt to ancient Greece and Rome. Highlights include the Code of Hammurabi, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Great Sphinx of Tanis. The museum also showcases an extensive collection of Islamic art and European sculpture, providing a comprehensive look at global cultural heritage. The Department of Paintings is perhaps the most famous, housing Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa in the Salle des États. Beyond the crowds of the Italian Renaissance galleries, visitors can explore Dutch masters like Vermeer, French Romanticism through Delacroix’s 'Liberty Leading the People,' and the opulence of the Napoleon III Apartments which showcase the decorative arts of the 19th century. A visit to the Louvre is as much about the building as the art. Walking through the galleries means walking through the former chambers of kings and emperors. Whether you are admiring the ceiling of the Galerie d'Apollon or the foundations of the medieval moat in the Sully wing, the museum offers an immersive journey through the heart of French history.

FAQ

History

The Louvre's architectural evolution reflects eight centuries of French history, beginning as a medieval fortress built by Philippe Auguste in 1190 to protect Paris from Viking raids. Remnants of this original structure, including the lower moat and tower foundations, are still visible in the Sully wing's basement. During the Renaissance, Francis I began transforming the fortress into a palatial residence, a project continued by subsequent monarchs who added the iconic Cour Carrée and the Longue Galerie. The palace served as the primary residence of French Kings until Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682. Following the French Revolution, the National Assembly decreed that the Louvre should be used as a museum to display the nation's masterpieces. The 19th century saw further expansions under Napoleon I and Napoleon III, culminating in the vast complex seen today. The most significant modern intervention occurred in the 1980s under President François Mitterrand with the 'Grand Louvre' project. Architect I.M. Pei designed the glass Pyramid in the Cour Napoléon, which now serves as the main entrance, creating a functional hub that connects the Denon, Richelieu, and Sully wings. Today, the museum manages over 380,000 objects, though only about 35,000 are on public display at any given time, spanning from ancient Near Eastern antiquities to European paintings ending in the mid-19th century.

• Multi-attraction access
• Skip-the-line entry
• Better value than single tickets
• Free cancellation on most passes

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