The Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre) is the most visited museum in the world. It is classified as a historical monument in Paris with over 35000 artworks. Home of great art pieces like the Venus de Milothe and Mona Lisa , this museum is among the most popular attractions.
Location and How to Get There
The Louvre is well situated in Paris’s 1st arrondissement, on the Right Bank of the Seine. Thus, it can be reached by various means of transport. The nearest Metro stations are Palais Royal Musée du Louvre (Line 1 & Line 7) and Louvre Rivoli (Line 1). Several bus routes are available close to the museum, as well as several Vélib bike rental stations. Shoppers arriving by car can park at the underground Carrousel du Louvre lot; spaces are limited.
Travellers arriving from Charles de Gaulle Airport or Orly Airport can easily use public transport or taxis, which should take approximately 45 minutes.
Louvre Museum History
The name originated from the historian Sarazen knight and was constructed in 1190 as a fortress by French King Philip Augustus; in the 16th century, it became a royal palace during the reign of Francois I. It was converted in the 1793 the French Revolution, into a museum for the public. It began with 537 paintings, and today, the gallery has thousands of paintings and covers a period of more than 9000 years.
The structure of the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum is divided into three main wings:
1. Richelieu Wing: Accommodates the French sculptures, Near East antiquities, Islamic art, as well as the decorative arts. It also entails the Napoleon III Apartments.
2. Denon Wing: More tourists flock to this museum to view famous works such as the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory of Samothrace and The Coronation of Napoleon. You can also see Painting of the Renaissance in Italy and Greek sculptures here.
3. Sully Wing: Plays strong emphasis on collecting Egyptian artefacts, Greek sculptures and the first and second creations of the medieval Louvre.
Both wings are located on different floors, making it quite awkward to navigate, so take some time to study the floor plan to get around without losing time.
Why Visit the Louvre?
It holds some of the world’s most recognized art pieces, providing a tour through ancient world, Renaissance art, and beyond. Art enthusiasts, historical buffs and those who want to witness the grandeur of Historic France must visit. The museum’s architecture is an attraction in its own right, and one of the most notable features is the Glass Pyramid.
Ten Simple Steps to Settle Your Eyes on the Louvre
1. Pre-book Tickets: Do not purchase your tickets at the territorial offices, as this will take quite a while standing in line. Select which time slot you want to enter the park from.
2. Plan Your Visit: You should probably download a Louvre map and choose which wings and the works you think are more important. Again, the museum is pretty large, so it’s always nice to know where you are or are going.
3. Arrive Early or Late: The volumes reach a peak during the afternoon from “10 in the morning to 3 in the afternoon”. Arriving when it opens at 9: Ideally, planning for a visit during the early morning after Midnight or later in the evening after 3 PM will see few visitors.
4. Use the Less Crowded Entrances: Most visitors approaching the Louvre use the Glass Pyramid, but if you want faster access, use the Passage Richelieu or the Carrousel du Louvre.
5. Break Up Your Visit: Indeed, if one is still in Paris for a few days of work or vacation, one should not shy away from visiting the Louvre Museum; an advantage of the fact that the collection is divided into different wings. One should spend a day in each of them.
Tickets and Pricing
Tickets for the Louvre can be purchased online or at the museum:-
Standard Admission: €17 (online), €15 (on-site).
Free Admission: Open for EU residents under 26, non-EU visitors under 18 years of age, and on the first Saturday of the month from 18:00 to 21:45.
People can get tickets in advance, though, to minimize waiting time in queues.
What to See at the Louvre
1. Mona Lisa
One of the most famous artworks in the world and the primary drawing-card of the museum is Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa. People still come to see the smiling statue of her sitting behind a bulletproof glass.
2. Venus de Milo
The sculpture of Aphrodite, another masterpiece, is from ancient Greece and is estimated to date between 130- 100 BC and is also found in the Louvre.
3. Winged Victory of Samothrace
This is a Hellenistic statuette set at the top of a monumental staircase and it denotes victory.
4. The Coronation of Napoleon
This grand painting is also done by the famous French painter Jacques-Louis David, representing the scene of Napoleon Bonaparte himself making himself an Emperor.
5. Egyptian Antiquities
Visit the impressive collection of Egyptian art, such as Seated Scribe or Great Sphinx of Tanis.
Practical Information
Opening Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Friday and Wednesday Evenings Open until 9:45 PM.
Closed on Tuesdays.
Accessibility: Another feature is that the Louvre is built entirely for the physically challenged; the museum has lifts and tracks.
When is the Louvre Most Recommended for a Visit?
This is especially because the best time to visit the Louvre is early in the mornings between Mondays and Fridays when many workers are yet to come to the museum. Wednesday and Friday evenings are also ideal, as it remains open until 9:45 PM.
How Much Time Does It Take to Visit the Louvre Museum?
Here is the version for the main sites: To cover, it will be enough to spend at least 3-4 hours at the Louvre. If you want to delve deeper, spend 6-8 hours in the museum or visit if you are a real art fan.
Louvre Visitors Practical Tips
Use the Passage Richelieu Entrance: Compared to the entrance that leads to the actual Pyramid, it tends to be less populated.
Wear Comfortable Shoes: The museum is vast, and you are going to do lots of walking here.
Plan Ahead: The Louvre has three branches: “Richelieu”, “Denon”, and “Sullivan”. Consider the artworks you do not want to miss.
FAQs
1. Is this the free Louvre museum?
Yes, free admission is available for EU residents under 26, non-EU residents under 18, and everyone on the first Saturday of each month after 6:00 PM.
2. What is the best time to travel to avoid many people?
The most free movement is recorded on Wednesday /Friday evenings, and the least on weekday mornings.
3. How many hours am I going to spend here?
Significant Highlights– “3-4 hours” Inclusive tour– “6- 8 hours”
4. How do I get to the Louvre?
You can take Metro in line 1-7 going to Palais Royal-Musée du Louver station or Louvre-Rivoli station.
5. When visiting the Louvre, are you allowed to take pictures?
Yes, but flash photography is not permitted, although some exhibits may not allow photography at all.
Nearby Attractions
1. Jardin des Tuileries
Adjacent to the Louvre Museum, this delightful garden provides the tourist with excellent views of the Eiffel Tower and Arc de Triomphe.
2. Musée d’Orsay
A little further across the Seine is the Musée d’Orsay, which displays famous examples of the Impressionist movement by Monet, Degas and Van Gogh.
3. Pont des Arts
A path for lovers connecting the Louvre Museum with Institut de France where people worldwide leave padlocks as souvenirs.
4. Place de la Concorde
Near the Louvre, Place de la Concorde is a famous place for Egyptian obelisk and events of the French Revolution.
A visit to the Louvre Museum is a must-do in Paris because it provides as close to a taste as one would want of the art and history of the world. Whether it is fine art such as the Mona Lisa or exquisite sculpture such as the Venus de Milo, to name a few, the museum is a not to be missed thrill. Do not forget to make an appointment, wear comfortable foot ware and do not miss out on anything in this captivating museum.
