The Louvre

No trip to Paris can be considered complete without a stop at the Louvre. Some would argue that a visit to the Louvre can be considered a highlight in anyone’s life not just a special moment of their journey to Paris. According to the intro of the official website: “A visit to the Louvre and its collections lets visitors discover Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848, as well as a large number of ancient civilizations. Yet it also offers another history to explore. The grand palace that houses the museum, which dates back to the late twelfth century, is a true lesson in architecture: from 1200 to 2011, the most innovative architects have in turn built and developed the Louvre. Long the seat of power, this royal residence was also home to French heads of state until 1870 and is one of the major backdrops to the history of Paris and France.”

Some pieces of practical info: The Louvre is gigantic. You can easily pass a whole week inside it and still leave out some sections of it unexplored. Since the museum is open from 9:00 AM until 6:00 PM on most days, and until 9:45 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays, if you want to squeeze everything in one day it would be advisable to do it either on Wednesday or a Friday. Careful. Many museums in Paris, the Louvre included, are closed on Tuesdays!!

Keep in mind that this is the most famous museum in the world with more than 8 million visitors each year, so it will be impossible to avoid crowds. As most guides will tell you the surest way to get stuck in a long queue is to try to get into the museum from the main pyramid entrance.

Instead, you can use the entrance of Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre metro station (line 1), or the underground Carrousel du Louvre shopping center (99 Rue de Rivoli). Another way is to buy your tickets in advance online. Bear in mind that on the first Sunday of the month, admission is free for all visitors. but although it may sound like a tempting proposition the crowds are so overwhelming that it is suggested you avoid these days altogether.

Another thing you should probably do before the visit is a bit of homework. The best way to do that is through the official website of the museum where you can get detailed maps that will help you navigate before you enter the museum. You can also get an idea of rich collections and how they are categorized. That way you could save yourself some of your precious time and maybe cherry-pick the ones you would prefer to see up close. Guided tours are also advisable especially if this is your first or even the second time at the museum. According to many visitors, one of the best if not the best tour is offered by the museum itself.

The museum offers three English-language tours for first-timers and returning visitors alike, every day at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. (except Tuesdays, public holidays, and free-admission days) and every Wednesday at 7 p.m. (except public holidays). That way you get to discover the Mona Lisa, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Venus de Milo, and other masterpieces of the Louvre with trained guides who will take you through the museum’s most impressive spaces, such as the medieval moat, giving you a fascinating insight into the history of the palace. For tickets and various guided tours given by the museum. 

Description by https://www.louvre.fr/en/  For a complete and detailed history of the Louvre.