How to Plan a Visit to the Louvre Museum

The long queues at the Louvre’s Pyramid entrance are almost as famous as the museum itself. Getting in line for an entrance ticket here can sometimes take as long as an hour, which is hardly surprising when 15,000 people a day visit the building.

Instead, avoid the queues by trying the entrances at the Porte des Lions east of the Pont Royal, at number 99 the Rue du Rivoli, at the Arc du Carousel or directly from the Metro station Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre. Or, you can escape the queues completely by purchasing your ticket in advance at FNAC or other department stores. There’s usually a small fee of a couple of euros per ticket for this service.

Though the regular entrance fee to the Louvre is reasonably priced when you consider the incredible art on display, it doesn’t mean you can’t save some money when you can. Online tickets might allow you quick entry, rather than waiting in the long queues, but there is a small, extra charge for them.

You’ll be pleased to learn that entrance is free for under 18s all year, and for anyone aged 18 to 25 who is a resident of the European Economic Area. All visitors, no matter their age, can visit after 6 pm on the first Friday of every month, except for July and August. Bastille Day also means free entry for everyone, though booking timed slots is strongly recommended.

With approximately 35,000 works of art and 500,000 museum objects to see, the Louvre is so huge that it would take you a whole day just to walk through all the galleries. And that’s not even including admiring the works of art.

Therefore, to get an overview of this enormous museum, take one of the excellent guided tours, which depart from under the Pyramid throughout the day. Available in a variety of languages and aimed at everyone from first-time visitors to art experts, it’s the perfect way to see the highlights. Tour times vary daily, so check the board when you arrive to see what’s on offer.

Of course, no trip to the Louvre is complete without seeing the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Occasionally, these masterpieces are moved around the building at short notice, so if you want to avoid needlessly wandering the galleries or if you’re short on time, then take a quick look at their website before you visit.

The website will also tell you about any exciting temporary exhibitions on display, as well as any special events taking place. You could even check out the list of collections to create your own itinerary of must-see artworks.

With so many galleries waiting to be explored, you’ll need refreshment. Great places to eat and drink in the Louvre include the classy Bistro Benoit and the Café Richelieu-Angélina. When it’s warm and sunny, sit on the summer terrace at the Café Mollien and enjoy the views.

For more stunning views, why not enjoy a light lunch or a classic French pastry in the cafés in the beautiful Jardins des Tuileries? Mobile snack stands also serve good quality coffee should you need a pick-me-up on the go. All restaurants use fresh, local ingredients in their food so you can be sure you’re getting a true taste of Paris before gearing up to explore the museum some more.