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Louvre Museum Paris | Discover the Most-Visited Museum In The World

The Louvre, the world's largest art museum in Paris, is home to 35,000 artworks spanning 9,000 years. From the enigmatic Mona Lisa to the majestic Winged Victory of Samothrace, its vast collections encompass ancient civilizations, European paintings,...

Also Known As

Musée du Louvre

Founded On

1793

Founded By

King Philip II

Quick information

RECOMMENDED DURATION

5 hours

VISITORS PER YEAR

7500000

NUMBER OF ENTRANCES

4

UNESCO YEAR

1991

Plan your visit

Fun facts

The Louvre Museum has its own secret underground tunnel system, connecting three of its main buildings.

Underneath the Louvre's courtyard lies the remains of a medieval fortress, the original structure from the 12th century on which the museum was built.

In 1803, the Louvre was renamed to Musée Napoléon, after Napoleon Bonaparte. The name remained till 1815 when Napoleon abdicated.

More interesting facts



How To Buy Louvre Museum Tickets?

Louvre Museum Reserved Access Tickets with Optional Audioguide
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What is the Louvre?

Housed in the Louvre Palace built by Philip II (Philip Augustus), the Louvre Museum is a world-renowned art museum that is located in Paris, France. This iconic museum stands on the right bank of the River Seine and is the largest art gallery in the world. Louvre Museum houses the heritage of the great French history, along with other important works from around the world, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. Home to more than 35,000 exhibits in its centuries-old building, the museum attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year.

Plan Your Visit to Louvre Museum in Paris

Location
Timings

Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

Find On Map

The Louvre museum is located inside the Louvre Palace, in the center of Paris, in the 1st district. It stands adjacent to the Tuileries Gardens.

Nearest Metro Station: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre

Monday to Sunday: 9 am to 6 pm

Friday: 9 am to 9:45 pm

Last Entry: 1 hour before closing

Closed On: Tuesdays, and on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday.

Louvre Museum Collection

The massive collection of the world’s largest art gallery consists of over 35,000 artworks and it spans eight thematic departments. The vast collections include artworks and artifacts dating back centuries, representing almost 11,000 years of human history and culture. The museum’s permanent collection consists of great works of art by maestros like Leonardo Da Vinci, Delacroix, Rubens, and Vermeer, among others. It also houses Egyptian, Islamic, and Greco-Roman collections of art. The eight thematic departments of the Louvre are:

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection
Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Egyptian Antiquities

The Egyptian collection of the Louvre is considered to be one of the most extensive in the world, housing over 50,000 pieces. It deep dives into the lives of the ancient Egyptians and includes artifacts from the Nile civilization (4,000 BC) to the 4th century AD.

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities:

The Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities department of the Louvre Museum focuses on Mediterranean history dating from the Neolithic era to the 6th century. One of the oldest departments of the Louvre, a large part of the collection was inducted by the French royalty in the 16th century.

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Near Eastern Antiquities

This department is massive with 25 rooms dedicated to the exhibition of art and artifacts from early Near Eastern civilization. The department is divided into three geographic areas: the Levant, Mesopotamia (Iraq), and Persia (Iran).

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Sculptures

The department for Sculpture at the Louvre Paris is rich with works created before 1850 that do not belong in the Etruscan, Greek, and Roman department. It holds the largest collection of French sculptures in the world. Some of the notable works are Satan by Jean-Jacques Feuchère and Diana the Huntress by Jean-Antoine Houdon, among others.

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Islamic Arts

The department of Islamic Arts at the Louvre is the newest section in the museum. Founded in the year 2003, the collection features 3,000 works from the Arabian peninsula spanning the 7th to 19th centuries. Some important works showcased in this section are the Plate with Peacock, three pages of the Shahnameh, and the Barberini Vase.

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Decorative Arts

The department of Decorative Arts at the Louvre consists of artifacts, tapestries, ceramics, stained glass, and more from the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century. Some highlights of the department include the coronation crown of Louis XIV, Giambologna's bronze Nessus and Deianira, and Napoleon III's apartments.

Louvre Museum, Paris, Collection

Prints & Drawings

This department houses the largest collection of drawings in the world with 1,40,000 pieces in the Louvre’s catalog. It is the least known part of the museum as most of the works cannot be displayed due to the fragility of the drawings. The collection is organized into three sections: the core Cabinet du Roi, royal copper printing plates, and the donations of Edmond de Rothschild.

Brief History of the Louvre Museum

  • 12th Century - 1791: King Philip II built the Louvre Palace in the late 12th century to protect the city from an invasion by the Kingdom of England. In the 14th century, the Louvre Palace was converted into a residence by Charles V.
  • 1791 - 1801: On 10 August 1792, the royal collection in the Louvre became national property after Louis XVI was imprisoned. The museum opened on 10 August 1793 as Muséum central des arts de la République.
  • 1801 – 1870: During these years, the museum went through some impressive transformations and its collection grew.
  • 1870 - 1981: In 1971, as the French army tried to suppress the Paris Commune, a section of the Communards set the adjoining Tuileries Palace on fire. Parts of the museum caught fire as well but it was controlled.
  • The expansion of the museum slowed after World War I.
  • During World War II, many important artworks inside the Lourve were evacuated. The artworks only returned in 1945, after the liberation of France.
  • 1981- 1995: The museum once again went through a series of transformations, including the addition of a glass pyramid during this time period.
  • 21st century: In 2003, a department of Islamic Art was created. In 2010, American painter Cy Twombly completed a new ceiling for the Salle des Bronzes. The room's floor and walls were redesigned in 2021 by Michel Goutal.
  • In 2019, the Louvre Museum launched an augmented reality (AR) app called ‘Louvre 360’. The app allows users to get a closer look at some of the museum's most famous works and even learn about their history by using AR technology.

Architecture of Louvre Museum

The Louvre Palace showcases exquisite French and Renaissance architectural styles, exuding a sense of history and grandeur. Originally constructed as a fortress in the 12th century, its design reflects its military origins. However, Francois I transformed it into a royal palace during the 16th century, embellishing it with ornate details. Throughout its 800-year history, the palace has undergone numerous renovations, each building upon the legacy of its predecessors. Today, it stands as one of the world's largest and most splendid museum palaces, captivating visitors with its majestic allure.

Frequently Asked Questions About The Louvre Museum in Paris

What is the Louvre?

The Louvre is an art museum and historic site in Paris. The museum, established in 1793, has an impressive collection of artwork and artifacts that trace 11,000 years of human civilization and culture.

Do I need tickets to visit Louvre?

Yes, you need tickets to enter the Louvre Museum in Paris. You can buy Louvre tickets online.

Can I purchase tickets to the Louvre online?

Yes, it is best to purchase your tickets in advance and online, to avoid waiting in long queues or not getting a spot on the day of your visit. You can purchase Louvre museum tickets here.

Is admission to the Louvre free for children?

Yes, children under 18 years of age can visit the museum free of cost.

Where is the Louvre Museum located?

The Louvre is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 in Paris, France.

What are the Louvre Museum timings?

The Louvre is open Monday to Sunday from 9 am to 6 pm.

What is the best time to visit the Louvre?

The best time to visit the Louvre is Friday evenings when the museum is open until 9.45 pm, and the crowd is comparatively less.

Why is the Louvre important?

The Louvre is the world's largest and most-visited museum. It houses one of the most impressive art collections in history, with 480,000 works of art spanning centuries and regions.

How old is the Louvre Museum?

The Louvre Museum opened to the public on 10 August 1793, making the museum 229 years old.

Is Louvre the largest museum in the world?

With galleries spreading over 15 acres, and an impressive collection of 480,000 works of art, the Louvre in Paris is the largest museum in the world.

How popular is the Louvre Museum?

The Louvre is extremely popular. An important landmark in Paris, the Louvre attracted approximately 9.6 million visitors in 2019, making it the most visited museum worldwide.

What can you see inside the Louvre?

Inside the Louvre Museum you will find 35,000 works of art displayed across eight curatorial departments. You will find sculptures, decorative objects, paintings, drawings, and archaeological finds inside.

How many artworks are on display at the Louvre in Paris?

The Louvre collection includes over 480,000 artworks, of which 35,000 are on display.