Discover a Magical Side of the Louvre at Night with this Travel Guide
The Louvre at Night
Drawing over 10 million tourists each year, the Louvre Museum is a treasure trove of art and history. Visiting the Louvre at night is a unique experience and one that you must try. Enjoy the beauty of the Louvre and its surroundings, take some memorable pictures, or grab a bite to eat close by. We’ve put together a helpful guide to help you plan your visit to the Louvre at night.
Why You Should Visit the Louvre at Night?
Visiting the Louvre at night is a great way to explore the world-famous museum. Foot traffic is reduced after dark and the museum takes on a distinct atmosphere.
Once inside, the Louvre has a special allure. The statues are illuminated, giving them a different feel from the daytime. Visitors can stroll among the galleries at their leisure, away from the bustle of the museum during the day. After dark, the Louvre takes on a special ambiance. The courtyard turns into a beautiful and romantic place with the Louvre pyramid lit up.
Combine a visit to the Louvre Museum with some shopping, dinner, and cocktails and you've got yourself an ideal Parisian night.
Book Louvre Museum TicketsEssential Information for Your Visit
The Louvre Museum is open from Monday to Sunday between 9 AM - 6 PM.
It is closed on all Tuesdays.
On Wednesdays and Fridays, the opening hours extend until 9:45 PM.
Note: Extended hours at the Louvre have been temporarily suspended, however, these timings will resume again shortly.
More about the Louvre's opening hours
By Bus: Several bus stops are located within 200 meters of the Louvre entrance. Routes 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, and 95 will bring you close to the Louvre Museum.
By Metro: Take Lines 1 or 7 and alight at Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre station or take Line 14 to the Pyramides station.
By Car: You can park your car in the underground garage on Avenue du Général Lemonier, from where the museum is just 500 meters away. The garage is open between 7 AM and 11 PM.
Within the borders of the Louvre Palace and Gardens, there are various restaurants, cafes, and takeaway counters. Some of them are as follows:
- Bistrot Benoit
- Cafe Marly
- Le Café Mollien
- Café Des Marronniers
- Pavillon Des Tuileries
- Terrasse De Pomone
Your Louvre at Night Itinerary
The Louvre Museum consists of three primary wings - Sully, Denon, & Richelieu.
You can begin your visit at the Sully Wing, which is the oldest part of the museum. Here you can explore famous French paintings and antiques from Greece and Egypt.
Next, you can head over to the Denon Wing, where you will find the ancient Grande Galerie. This section also houses famous artworks including the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace at the Daru Staircase, and the sculpture of the Rebellious Slave.
Finally, head over to the Richelieu Wing, where you will find royal garden sculptures, European paintings, and the apartments of Napoleon III.
Finish off your night with a delicious dinner at a nearby restaurant. You can choose Café Marley or Le Café Mollien if you want to stay by the museum. Alternatively, you can walk over to the Tuileries Garden where you can find a range of open-air restaurants.
Things to See at the Louvre at Night | Highlights
There’s a lot to see at the Louvre Museum. If you’re visiting at night, here are some sights that you shouldn’t miss!
Mona Lisa
The world's most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, sits in a room large enough to accommodate its many admirers. As a result, it is housed in the Salle des États, the Louvre's largest room, alongside other notable Venetian paintings like Veronese's The Wedding Feast at Cana. Mona Lisa's renowned enigmatic smile has fascinated audiences for centuries.
Know More
Daru Staircase
Hector Lefuel designed the Daru Staircase, one of the most recognizable aspects of the Louvre Museum, in the nineteenth century. A rare Greek statue of The Winged Triumph of Samothrace, the Goddess of victory, stands at the top of the stairs, the exact origin of which is unknown. This was also the spot where Beyonce and Jay-Z shot their famous hip-hop music video!
Greek Sculptures
The antiquities portion of the Louvre, which replaced the royal apartments, holds Greek sculpture treasures, including the well-known Venus de Milo. The collection of Greek sculptures at the Louvre grew over time. Louis XIV began the process in 1692 when he displayed several of his sculptures at the Salle des Cariatides.
Italian Paintings
During Louis XIV's reign, the first level of this massive gallery was used to display works of art by members of the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture. The Grande Galerie now includes masterpieces by some of Italy's greatest painters, including Mantegna, Raphael, Leonardo da Vinci, Arcimboldo, and Caravaggio, to name a few.
French Gallery
Dive into the best of French art as you admire a multitude of paintings by renowned artists. Inside the Richelieu Wing are a variety of French paintings that span over about 500 years. Dating back to the 13th century, this collection includes artworks created by Eugène Delacroix, Rousseau, Élisabeth Vigée Le Brun, and Nicolas Poussin. The Death of Ophelia is one of the most famous ones, after the many portraits of French Kings.
Royal Apartments
Experience the lavish lifestyles of past Kings and Emperors in the magnificent Napoleon III Apartments. During the year 1861, this wing of the museum, which overlooks the Napoleon Courtyard, served as the official apartment of Napoleon. It is located on the first floor of the Richelieu Wing, and it has been preserved for almost 150 years! Portraits, vases, chandeliers, and other artifacts can be found in these royal apartments.
Crypt of the Sphinx
The Louvre's spectacular Great Sphinx of Tanis guards the entrance to a room brimming with Egyptian antiquities. The Sphinx is a half-human, half-animal creature with a lion's body and an Egyptian ruler's face. There are about 6000 works of art here, spanning over 5000 years of Egyptian history.
Pyramid
The Pyramid at the Louvre's main entrance is positioned at the center of its courtyard. This structure serves as a constant reminder of the value of the museum's Egyptian Antiquities collection. The main Pyramid is surrounded by three smaller pyramids, which serve as light shafts for the museum's exhibits. The inverted pyramid, which can be viewed from the underground Carrousel du Louvre entrance, is the fifth and final one. It was designed by M. Pei and completed in 1993.
Know MoreVisitor Tips
- On Wednesdays and Fridays, the Louvre's night hours are extended until 10 PM. Out of the two days, there are generally lesser crowds on Wednesdays.
- Don’t miss out on taking pictures at the Louvre Pyramid, which is lit up at night.
- Make sure to stop at any one of the cafes or restaurants on your visit to the Louvre at night. Although most restaurants inside the museum close by 6 PM, you can find lovely dining options right outside.
- Visitors under the age of 26 from any country are welcome to visit the museum every Friday night from 6:00 PM until 9:45 PM.
- The Book and Gift Shop at the Allée du Grand Louvre is an excellent place to buy souvenirs. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the shop will be open until 9:45 PM.
Visit the Louvre at Night
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Louvre at Night
A. Yes. You can visit the Louvre at night on Wednesdays and Fridays when it is open till 9:45 PM.
A. The Louvre Museum’s timings are from 8:00 AM to 6:00 PM every day. It is closed on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the museum is open till 9:45 PM.
A. Yes, there are guided tours of the Louvre at night. A Louvre night tour is a fantastic way to explore the museum peacefully while also ensuring that you don't miss any of the magnificent artwork.
A. There are many restaurants and cafes inside and outside the Louvre. You can stop by at any of them to grab a bite.
A. Yes, you will have to pay a fee to enter the Louvre at night. Tickets start from €20.
A. Photos can be taken for personal use. Selfie sticks, flash photography, and illumination are prohibited inside the Louvre Museum.
A. When you visit the Louvre at night, make sure you take a look at the famous artworks inside including the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and more. Don’t miss out on marveling at the Louvre Pyramid, which almost comes to life at night.
