Louvre Museum
Former Royal Palace And A Public Museum Since 1793, The Most Visited Art Museum In The World; Part Of The UNESCO Banks Of The Seine Listing · Paris, Ile-de-France
The Louvre began as a fortress in the late twelfth century, grew into the royal palace of the kings of France, and opened as a public museum in 1793 during the Revolution. It is the most visited art museum in the world and one of the largest, with tens of thousands of works on display across three wings: Denon, Sully and Richelieu, joined under the glass pyramid added in 1989. The collection runs from ancient Egypt, Mesopotamia, Greece and Rome through European painting and sculpture up to the mid-nineteenth century, plus the royal apartments and decorative arts. Most visitors head straight for the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the room of the Mona Lisa is the most crowded in the building. A timed reservation is required, even for free visitors, and the museum traditionally closes on Tuesday. Entry rules, prices and some galleries have changed recently, so confirm before you go. The palace alone is worth the visit, and the quieter wings reward a slower day.
Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, Paris, Ile-de-France, France
Open six days a week, traditionally closed on Tuesday, with a daytime schedule from morning to early evening and one or two late openings in the evening each week, when the museum is at its quietest; confirm which evenings, as this has changed over the years. Closed on a few public holidays including the first of January, the first of May and Christmas Day. Every visitor, including those entitled to free entry, needs a timed reservation on the official site, and slots on weekends, holidays and summer mornings sell out days or weeks ahead. Entry closes some time before the building shuts, and galleries begin clearing before closing time, so a late slot is shorter than it looks. Individual rooms and whole sections close without notice for staff shortages, works or security reasons, and the museum has shut for part or all of a day during staff strikes. Following the theft from the Galerie d'Apollon in October 2025, some displays and access rules may have changed. Check the day's open rooms and any closures on the official site the morning you go.