Visiting the Louvre in Paris: Is it worth it?

March 18, 2025 Citie to Travel Comments Off

Visiting the Louvre is highly recommended during your city trip to Paris. This world-famous museum is impressive not only because of its huge art collection, but also because of the beautiful building itself. The Louvre was once Napoleon’s palace and still breathes that rich history. In this blog we will tell you what you can see there, how to prepare your visit well and where to buy tickets easily.

What is the Louvre in Paris?

The Louvre in Paris is the city’s most famous and largest art museum and an absolute must-see during your visit. Once a royal palace, this impressive building was later used by Napoleon, who even housed part of his art collection here. Today, you can admire world-famous works of art such as Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo. There are also paintings by Dutch masters such as Rembrandt and Vermeer. Fun fact: the Louvre also plays a major role in the movie The Da Vinci Code with Tom Hanks, which made the museum even better known to the general public.

The layout of the Louvre: what can you see?

The Louvre is one of the largest and most impressive museums in the world. The museum is divided into three wings: Richelieu, Sully and Denon. You can choose to see one wing, but it is actually fun to walk around everywhere. After all, the Louvre is incredibly large, covering an area of no less than 160,000 square meters and a collection of some 35,000 works of art. Seeing everything in one day is actually not doable. That’s why it’s smart to think about which sections or artworks you’d like to see in advance, so you get the most out of your visit.
The Louvre’s vast collection is divided into eight sections, which together form a wonderful journey
through the history of art and culture:

1. Egyptian antiquities – mummies, sarcophagi and ancient statues from Egypt.
2.Oriental antiquities – art and artifacts from the ancient Middle East.
3.Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities – highlighting the famous Venus of Milo.
4.Western painting – from masters such as Da Vinci, Rembrandt and Vermeer.
5. Islamic art – exquisite ceramics, textiles and glassware.
6.Sculpture – impressive sculptures from different periods.
7.Works of art – jewelry, furniture and other decorative arts.
8.Graphic art– drawings, prints and sketches.

Whether you like paintings, sculptures or ancient finds, the Louvre offers something special for everyone and is definitely worth a visit.

The Highlights of The Louvre: What Really Shouldn't Be Missed?

Visiting the Louvre can be overwhelming. The museum is huge and you simply cannot make it to see everything in one day. That’s why it’s smart to focus on the absolute highlights. Below is an overview of the 10 most impressive sights you shouldn’t skip.

1. The Lamassu - Powerful Guardians of Ancient Mesopotamia

These giant winged bulls with human heads served as protectors of city gates. They exude strength and tranquility and are beautifully detailed. What is extra special: they are carved from a single piece of stone.

Location: Richelieu wing, first floor, room 4

2. Medieval Louvre - The Origin of the Museum.

Walk through the remains of the original medieval castle that once stood on this site. The old city walls provide a nice glimpse into its history.

Location: Sully wing, first floor

3. The Great Sphinx of Tanis - Mystery from Egypt

An impressive statue of a sphinx carved from a single block of granite. The statue once served as a protector of sacred sites and still exudes power.

Location: Sully wing, basement, room 1

4. Venus of Milo - The Greek Beauty

This famous goddess without arms has captured the imagination for centuries. Her timeless beauty and mysterious aura make this statue one of the museum’s most popular pieces.

Location: Sully wing, first floor, room 7

5. Sleeping Hermaphrodite - Surprising and Intriguing

At first glance, it looks like a naked woman on a mattress. But walk around the sculpture and you discover a surprising twist… A wonderful example of classical sculpture.

Location: Sully wing, first floor, room 17

6. The Kiss of Amor and Psyche - A Mythical Love Story

A romantic image that captures the moment when Amor kisses his beloved Psyche awake. A beautiful work full of emotion and detail.

Location: Denon wing, first floor, room 4

7. Nikè of Samothrake - The Goddess of Victory

This dynamic marble sculpture still seems to be moving. Nikè, with her flapping robe and powerful posture, stands tall at the top of the monumental staircase.

Location: Denon wing, first floor

8. Mona Lisa - The Most Famous Painting in the World

Leonardo da Vinci’s mysterious lady attracts thousands of visitors daily. Her smile continues to capture the imagination to this day.

Location: Denon wing, second floor, room 6

9. Freedom leads the People - Symbol of the Revolution

A powerful painting by Eugène Delacroix in which Marianne leads the French Revolution, holding the French flag proudly in her hand.

Location: Denon wing, second floor, room 77

10. Louis XIV - The Sun King in all his Splendor

This impressive portrait of Louis XIV (1638-1715), also known as the Sun King, shows the power and grandeur of the French monarchy. Clad in royal blue with ermine cloak and crown, Louis XIV exudes absolute power. A magnificent example of royal portrait work from the Baroque period.

Location: Denon wing, second floor

How long does a visit to the Louvre take?

A visit to the Louvre usually takes between 2 and 3 hours. The museum is incredibly large and you will find thousands of works of art from different eras. Seeing everything in one day is actually not doable. Exactly how much time you need depends on what you like to see and how much you stop along the way. Pick a few favorite works of art or rooms in advance so you can leisurely wander through the Louvre and really enjoy your visit.

What are the best times to visit the Louvre?

The Louvre is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., except on Tuesdays. Then the museum is closed.

The best time to visit the Louvre is early in the morning or just in the late afternoon. Then it is often quieter and you can look around at your leisure. Wednesday and Thursday are generally the quietest days.

On Fridays, the Louvre is also open in the evening until 9:45 pm. This is highly recommended because there are fewer groups then and you can admire the works of art in peace. Just keep in mind that the halls close half an hour before closing time.

Where can I order tickets to the Louvre?

Tickets for the Louvre can easily be ordered online. After your order, you will receive the tickets by email. Printing is not necessary, you can simply have the tickets scanned from your phone at the entrance. This way you skip the queue and can go straight in.

Relax in the Gardens of the Louvre (Jardin des Tuileries)

After your visit to the Louvre, the Jardin des Tuileries is the perfect place to unwind. Located right next to the museum, this beautiful garden is one of the oldest and most famous parks in Paris. You will stroll among classic fountains, statues and perfectly landscaped paths.

The garden was once commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici and later embellished by famous designers. Today it is a popular spot with locals and tourists alike. Take a seat on one of the distinctive green chairs and enjoy the view of the fountain and the beautiful surroundings. A nice place to relax for a while in the heart of the city, and completely free of charge.

Where is the Louvre in paris

The Louvre is right in the heart of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine.

Getting to the Louvre by public transportation

The Louvre is easily accessible by public transportation, ideal if you want to avoid the hustle and bustle of the city for a while.

The quickest route is by metro, taking line 1 or 7 and getting off at Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre. From there you can walk straight to the entrance of the world-famous museum in five minutes.

A great tip: Get off at Tuileries (line 1) if you want to see more of the area. You’ll then stroll at your leisure through the beautiful Jardin des Tuileries and pass the impressive Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel. A perfect way to start your visit to the Louvre in style.

Our experience visiting the Louvre

During our city trips to Paris, we visited the Louvre several times. Every time it remains impressive how much special art and history comes together here. The building itself is an attraction in itself, with its beautiful halls and the famous glass pyramid.

What strikes us is that the Louvre is really overwhelmingly large. You can easily walk around here for hours and still only have seen a small part. This is why we often choose to pick a few highlights in advance. Among other things, we enjoyed the impressive Sphinx, the famous Mona Lisa and the impressive painting “Freedom leads the people.

Our favorite time to visit is in the evening. Then it is quieter and you can see everything at your own pace. As far as we are concerned, a visit to the Louvre is highly recommended during your stay in Paris. Even if you don’t have much with art, the museum is worth visiting because of the beautiful atmosphere and the special building.

One small downside: it can be very crowded, especially at famous works like the Mona Lisa. Sometimes you really stand there among the crowd and that takes away a bit of the charm. But fortunately, with good planning, this is easy to avoid.

3 handy tips for your visit to the Louvre

1. Order your tickets online

By booking online in advance, you avoid long waits at the entrance. Especially in high season, the waiting time can be quite long. Online tickets ensure that you can enter immediately and do not lose valuable time.

2. Take advantage of lesser-known inputs

Most visitors automatically choose the main entrance by the glass pyramid, but did you know that the Louvre has multiple entrances? The Porte des Lions, Carrousel du Louvre or Passage Richelieu often get you inside faster. These lesser-known entrances are a smart choice if you want to avoid queues.

3. Plan your route in advance

The Louvre is huge and it is impossible to see everything in one day. So decide in advance which rooms or famous works of art you really want to see, such as the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo. That way you will get the most out of your visit and avoid wandering around aimlessly.

Special offers for a city break to Paris

Are you going on a city trip to Paris and would like to visit a number of sights and attractions? Then take advantage of the offers below! That way you’ll get the most out of your visit to this beautiful city and also save on entrance tickets.