Why Go On a Louvre Guided Tour?
The Louvre Museum is a must-visit when you’re in Paris. Home to 480,000 artworks, the museum is a treasure trove of art and history. One of the best ways to make the most of your visit to the Louvre is by going on a guided tour. Louvre guided tours make for a deep and meaningful experience where you can combine your love of art with knowledge. Here’s everything you need to know about choosing a Louvre guided tour.
Your Louvre Museum Guided Tour Options
Combo: Eiffel Tower Summit Guided Tour + Louvre Museum Guaranteed Ticket
Why Take a Guided Tour of the Louvre Museum?
- On a guided tour, you get to learn about the history of the palace, the significance of each artwork, and interesting stories about the artists.
- Get deeper insights and newer perspectives from a local expert who knows the ins and outs of the museum and everything inside it.
- The museum is huge! With a tour guide, you can navigate the museum easily and efficiently.
- There’s always a huge crowd at the Louvre. Guided tours allow for a hassle-free experience with small tour groups.
- Louvre guided tours come with a skip-the-line feature which means you can bypass long ticket lines and head straight in.
What to Expect on Your Louvre Museum Guided Tour
Once you meet your tour guide, you will gain priority access to the museum. Skip past the long lines and head right in along with your tour guide. Irrespective of which type of guided tour you choose, you can be sure that you will get to see all the most famous artworks inside the museum. This includes the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, and many other masterpieces by renowned artists.
Witness the best of European art as you visit various collections of paintings including the French paintings, the Grande Galerie, and Italian Renaissance pieces. Take a trip back in time as you walk through the massive Egyptian collection in the Crypt of the Sphinx and get a sense of what ancient Egypt was like. You will also be taken to the courtyards of the museum where a charming collection of ancient royal sculptures are kept. Your ticket is valid throughout the day so you can take your time exploring the rest of the museum once your guided tour is over.
Louvre Guided Tours vs Non-Guided Tours
Guided Tours
- You will be accompanied by an expert tour guide who will give you a keen insight into the history of the museum and its artworks.
- Guided tours have a fixed itinerary which is helpful when you have to explore a large museum like the Louvre.
- You get to skip past long lines and get right into the museum on priority.
- These tours are conducted in small groups for a more wholesome and interactive experience.
Non-Guided Tours
- With a general admission ticket, you can avail of an audio guide to learn about all the artworks inside.
- You get to explore the museum at your own pace as opposed to going at the pace of a group.
- You will have to wait in line to get inside the museum which could take between 30 minutes to 1 hour on less crowded days. During peak hours and weekends it could take up to 2 hours to get inside.
Highlights Covered On Your Louvre Museum Guided Tour
Mona Lisa
Marvel at a masterpiece of the Italian Renaissance and one of the most famous paintings in the world. The Mona Lisa is a portrait painting created by Leonardo da Vinci, housed at the Louvre Museum in Paris. It is the highest valued painting with an insurance valuation of about $870 million. This is definitely one of the main highlights of visiting the Louvre.
More about the Mona Lisa
Venus de Milo
Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek sculpture dating back to around 150 and 125 BC. Based on the inscription on the sculpture, the masterpiece was crafted by Alexandros of Antioch. This is by far the most famous sculpture across the world and has been kept in the Louvre in 1820. The sculpture is missing one entire arm and a major portion of the other, as well as its original plinth.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace
Standing tall atop the iconic Daru staircase is the statue of the Winged Victory of Samothrace. The statue represents the Goddess of Victory and is also known as the Nike of Victory. Dating back to the second century BCE, the statue is a masterpiece of Greek art. Although the exact origin of the piece is unknown, it was found on Samothrace island, towards the north of the Aegean sea.
French Paintings
There are several magnificent French paintings housed in the Louvre Museum. Your tour guide will point out the most noteworthy ones and tell you about them in detail. Be sure to look out for The Raft of Medusa by Gericault, Liberty Leading the People by Delacroix, The Coronation of Napoleon by David, and the Rape of the Sabine Woman by Poussin to name a few.
Italian Paintings
Some of the largest and most exquisite Italian paintings can be found in the Grande Galerie of the museum. This part of the palace has a long history. It was initially built as a connecting path between the Louvre Palace and the Tuileries Palace, which no longer exists. Take a walk through this remarkable gallery as you admire the many masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance.
Egyptian Collection
Behind the Crypt of the Sphinx is a massive collection of Egyptian antiques. Inside this collection are over 6000 pieces of Egyptian history, spanning almost 5000 years of the country's civilization. What initially started off as a four-room showcase, eventually extended to cover two floors of the museum. Stroll through the extensive collection as you learn about the fascinating history of ancient Egypt.
Sculptures
The courtyards of the Louvre are adorned with beautiful sculptures bathed in natural light. Most of these sculptures were created for the gardens of palaces including the Château de Versailles, Château de Marly, and the Tuileries Palace. Some noteworthy sculptures to look out for are Perseus and Andromeda and Milo of Croton, both of which were part of the Château de Versailles gardens. The pieces here were created between the 17th and 19th centuries by renowned French sculptors.
Royal Apartments
Get a glimpse of how French monarchs lived back in the day as you tour the royal apartments of Napoleon III. This section of the museum has been preserved for about 150 years and was the home of Napoleon III IN 1861. Inside this area, you will find many objects including furniture, chandeliers, vases, and more, that once served the monarch of France. The Napoleon III apartments are located on the first floor of the Richelieu Wing.
Visitor Tips
- Book your tickets and time slot in advance. This ensures that you secure your spot well in advance as these get filled up quite quickly.
- Keep in mind that there is a separate entrance for tour groups located at the Richelieu Wing.
- Children and adults below the age of 26 are entitled to free admission. School children and disabled guests can also avail of free entry, however, prior reservation is mandatory.
- Make sure that you arrive early and give yourself enough time to get to the entrance from the metro station.
- Wheelchairs and prams are available at the group reception area if needed.
- If you need to take breaks, seats are available throughout the museum.
- Travel light when you visit the museum. If needed, lockers are available for tour groups at the special reception area below the Pyramid.
Frequently Asked Questions About Louvre Guided Tours
A. Yes. There are several Louvre guided tour options for you to choose from.
A. There are 3 different types of Louvre guided tours you can choose from - Louvre Guided Tour - Express (90 Min), Louvre Guided Tour - Comprehensive (3 Hours), and Louvre Guided Tour - Small Group (up to 15 guests).
A. You can book a Louvre guided tour online.
A. Louvre guided tours start from €53.90.
A. Louvre guided tours are available in English, Spanish, and French.
A. Your Louvre guided tour covers all the major rooms of the Louvre Museum.
A. Yes. Your Louvre guided tours include skip-the-line access.
A. Yes. Your Louvre guided tours come with a flexible cancellation policy.
A. Louvre guided tours can take between 1.5 to 3 hours.
A. Yes. Infants between the ages of 0 - 3 years can enter the museum for free. Children under 14 years can avail of discounted tickets with a valid photo ID.
