Visiting the Louvre Museum can be magical—or exhausting—depending on how you plan it. The Louvre Museum is huge, the queues can be intense, and many first-timers waste time zig-zagging between wings. This practical guide gives you the “do it right” plan: which ticket to buy 🎟️, best entrances ✅, exact metro lines 🚇, opening hours ⏱️, how to avoid the biggest mistakes ⚠️, and a simple route to see the highlights without burnout.
Why the Louvre Museum can feel overwhelming (and how to win) ✅
The Louvre Museum isn’t one building—it’s a palace complex with multiple wings, multiple entrances, and a collection so large you could spend days inside. The key is to visit with a goal:
- First-timers (2–4 hours): focus on iconic masterpieces + 1 “theme” (Egypt, Greek sculpture, French painting, etc.).
- Art lovers (half day): add one full wing + a temporary exhibition.
- Families: pick fewer rooms and use the easiest entrance for strollers (Carrousel/Pyramid).
Also note: time-slot bookings are recommended, even for free-admission visitors.
Louvre Museum hours and best times to go ⏱️
Opening hours (official)
The Louvre Museum is open daily except Tuesdays. Typical hours are:
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM (Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday)
- 9:00 AM–9:00 PM (Wednesday, Friday)
- Closed Tuesday
Last entry is 1 hour before closing, and gallery clearing begins 30 minutes before closing.
Public holiday closures
The Louvre is closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December (and also on Tuesdays, even if it’s a holiday).
Best time slots (realistic tips)
- Best: right at opening (9:00 AM) ✅
- Good: late afternoon on non-peak days
- If you want calmer rooms: aim for Wednesday/Friday evenings when open late (but still expect crowds around the Mona Lisa).
Louvre Museum tickets and prices 🎟️💳
Official ticket price range (important)
Official “general admission” is listed as €22.00 to €32.00, with rates noted as applicable as of 14 January 2026.
Because pricing can vary by visitor category and policy, always confirm your exact price in the official ticket flow.
Who can enter free?
Free admission includes (among others):
- Under 18 (all nationalities)
- Under 26, residents/citizens of the European Economic Area (EEA)
- All visitors: first Friday of the month after 6 PM (except July & August)
The Louvre also states it’s free for all visitors on 14 July.
Free Friday “gotcha” ⚠️
For free Friday evenings, booking is mandatory and slots appear online shortly before the date.
Paris Museum Pass (PMP)
If you’re using the Paris Museum Pass, a time slot reservation is the only thing that can guarantee access—without it you might wait a long time or be unable to enter during very high attendance.
How to get to the Louvre Museum 🚇🚌🚖📍
Address + main entrances
The Pyramid is the Louvre’s main entrance; at peak times, you may also be able to use Carrousel or Porte des Lions.
Best metro stations (official)
Closest & easiest metro access:
- Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7) ✅
- Pyramides (Line 14)
These are listed on the Louvre’s official directions page.
RATP also highlights Lines 1 & 7 as the best options for the Louvre.
Bus options (official)
Bus lines serving the Louvre area include: 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, 95.
Taxi / drop-off
Taxi drop-off is at the Carrousel roundabout; closest pick-up is Place André Malraux.
✈️ Airport Connections (CDG & Orly) ✈️🚇
From CDG (Charles de Gaulle) → Central Paris
- The official airport guide notes RER B from CDG 2 TGV runs roughly 4:50 AM–11:50 PM, and a single ticket is listed at €14 (or accepted with certain passes like Navigo zones 1–5).
Simple Louvre route: RER B → Châtelet–Les Halles → Metro Line 1 to Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre (short walk/underground connection depending on exits). (Check live works that day.)
From Orly (ORY) → Central Paris
- Metro Line 14 extension allows travel directly from Aéroport d’Orly; Paris Aéroport lists ~23 min to Gare de Lyon and ~26 min to Châtelet.
From Châtelet, Metro Line 1 takes you straight to Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre.
Which Louvre Museum entrance should you use? ✅⚠️
The Louvre lists four entrances: Pyramid, Carrousel, Richelieu, Porte des Lions.
A practical choice depends on your situation:
| Entrance | Best for | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Pyramid | Most visitors, first-timers | Main entrance; queues split by ticket status |
| Carrousel | Ticket holders who want indoor access | Connected to the underground shopping/entry area |
| Richelieu | Groups, guided/reserved activities, some members | Has specific eligibility and hours |
| Porte des Lions | Ticket holders who want an alternative | Closes daily at 6 PM, closed Tuesdays |
Pro tip ✅: If you already have a ticket or PMP, follow the Louvre’s on-site queue guidance (they even describe color-coded lines for ticket holders vs no-ticket visitors at the Pyramid).
A smart Louvre Museum plan: what to see in 2–4 hours 🗺️🎨
You’ll enjoy the Louvre Museum more if you pick a “best-of” loop instead of hunting randomly.
The “First-Time Highlights” route (2–3 hours) ✅
- Mona Lisa (expect crowds—be patient 📸)
- Winged Victory of Samothrace
- Venus de Milo
- Napoleon III Apartments (for palace vibes)
- One extra section you personally love (Egyptian antiquities, Renaissance painting, etc.)
The “Half-day + less stress” route (3–5 hours)
- Do the highlights above + add a full wing or collection focus
- Schedule a café break (your feet will thank you ☕)
Map tip: The Louvre suggests downloading or picking up the museum map under the Pyramid.
Audio guide, amenities, and practical comfort tips 🎧✅
- The Louvre notes the audio guide costs €6 and is available in 9 languages.
- Expect security checks (the museum follows government security directives).
- Plan your visit carefully because the Louvre warns: any exit is final (no re-entry).
Common mistakes at the Louvre Museum (and how to avoid them) ⚠️✅
⚠️ Mistake #1: Arriving without a time slot during peak periods
Fix: book a time slot (especially for lifts in demand moments or PMP access).
⚠️ Mistake #2: Trying to “see everything”
Fix: pick 10–20 works max, plus one wing theme. You’ll remember more.
⚠️ Mistake #3: Using the wrong entrance
Fix: if you have a ticket, consider Carrousel or Porte des Lions when available; otherwise go Pyramid and follow signage.
⚠️ Mistake #4: Forgetting closing rules
Fix: last entry is 1 hour before close, rooms clear 30 minutes before.
FAQ ❓
Is the Louvre Museum closed on Tuesdays?
Yes—officially, the museum is closed Tuesday.
What metro lines go directly to the Louvre Museum?
The Louvre lists Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 & 7) and Pyramides (Line 14).
Do I need a reservation with the Paris Museum Pass?
It’s strongly recommended, and PMP states only a reserved time slot can guarantee access.
When is the Louvre Museum free?
The Louvre states free admission for all visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6 PM (except July/August) and 14 July, plus other eligibility categories.
Conclusion
The Louvre Museum is a once-in-a-lifetime Paris experience, but the secret is simple: reserve a time slot, choose the right entrance, and follow a short plan. Use Metro Lines 1/7 to arrive effortlessly 🚇, aim for early morning or late-day slots ⏱️, and focus on a “best-of” loop so you leave inspired—not exhausted. ✅
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