The Louvre

Updated on September 13, 2026

The Louvre was once one of the main residences of the kings of France. Converted into a museum in 1793, it now houses more than 35,000 works of Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848, as well as art from ancient civilizations. The Louvre's rich art collection ranks it among the most visited museums in the world.

Highlights

The Mona Lisa

The portrait of the Mona Lisa is without doubt the most famous painting in the world. The identity of the young Florentine woman remains a mystery to this day, adding to the myth surrounding the painting. It took Leonardo da Vinci four years to complete this work of art.

Napoleon III's apartments

The small and grand dining rooms of Napoleon III's apartments reflect the Second Empire style, recognizable by its sophisticated, luxurious décor.

The Winged Victory of Samothrace

This depiction of the goddess of victory was discovered during excavations of Greek sanctuaries on the island of Samothrace. It has since been preserved at the Louvre and has undergone several restorations.

Venus de Milo

This Greek statue originates from the island of Milos. It dates from the Hellenistic period and represents the goddess of love and beauty. Her two missing arms leave the imagination free to wonder what movement the original statue might have had.

Infos pratiques

Tips

Use the Lions' Gate, located to the right of the Galerie du Carrousel. This entrance has two automated ticket machines and practically no line. However, it may be closed on certain days. To find out whether the Lions' Gate is open, you can contact the museum before your visit at +33 (0) 1 40 20 53 17. If the Lions' Gate isn't accessible, head to the Carrousel du Louvre. The line there is shorter than at the main entrance (the glass pyramid). If you don't have skip-the-line tickets, queue at the main entrance around 7:45am to be among the first visitors when the museum opens (9am). Once you're in and have your tickets in hand, go up to the first floor — that's where your visit begins... head toward the Mona Lisa, and you'll be among the first to see her. On the way to see her, you'll pass the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Take your photos with the Mona Lisa first — the room gets extremely crowded once you leave it. Then walk over to the Venus de Milo and continue your visit. Be careful, there are two lines to deal with: one to enter the museum and another to buy your ticket. We recommend buying your ticket in advance to avoid wasting time.