Louvre Museum

Paris 01 Louvre · Ile de France

When to go

BestGoodFairPoorClosedCrowds (quiet → packed)All open months: the indoor collections and palace interiors are equally rewarding year-round.

Day: Wednesday and Friday, for the 9 p.m. closing time.
Time: The first timed entry on a weekday, especially for a more manageable Denon and Mona Lisa visit. · Wednesday or Friday after 6 p.m.; avoid the free first-Friday evening if seeking a quieter visit.
Avoid: Tuesdays, plus January 1, May 1 and December 25, when the museum is closed.

About 4 hours

A good route

Start
Pyramid or Carrousel entrance: security, lockers if needed, and free map.30 min
Reserve an official timed entry in advance; arrive 20–30 minutes early for security. Use Carrousel in rain or when arriving from Palais-Royal.
+30 min
Denon, level 1: Winged Victory of Samothrace on the Daru staircase, then the Mona Lisa.45 min
Do these high-demand works first; the Mona Lisa room can have controlled viewing when busy.
+1 h 15
Denon: Grande Galerie Italian paintings, Galerie d’Apollon, then Salle Mollien for The Raft of the Medusa and Liberty Leading the People.60 min
Choose a few paintings to study rather than trying to cover every room.
+2 h 15
Sully, level 0: Venus de Milo and the Caryatids; continue to the Medieval Louvre foundations if palace history interests you.50 min
The medieval foundations are the best break from painting galleries.
+3 h 5
Richelieu: Code of Hammurabi, Cour Marly and Cour Puget sculpture courts, and Napoleon III Apartments.55 min
This wing is generally a calmer finish than Denon; skip sections rather than rushing at closing.

Good to know

Bring

Small bag only
Refillable water bottle
Phone backup battery or power bank
Comfortable walking shoes
Layer for the courtyard queue
Photo ID and eligibility proof if applicable

Food & breaks

Eat a proper meal before or after; museum food is mainly a convenience.
Food and drinks must remain in closed bags in galleries; only still water may be consumed away from artworks.
Use the official map for toilets, lockers and museum food outlets.

Skip it if

Skip or defer if you have under 90 minutes, need a quiet contemplative experience, cannot manage extensive walking and crowds, or only want to see the Mona Lisa.