Louvre Museum Tours & Tickets

Standard adult admission is €22 when purchased online, and includes access to all permanent collections and temporary exhibitions. Entry is free for visitors under 18 (all nationalities) and EU residents under 26 with valid photo ID.

Yes, the Louvre operates on a timed-entry system and frequently sells out days or weeks ahead during peak season. Even visitors eligible for free admission must reserve a time slot online through the official website.

A guided tour is the most efficient way to see the highlights without getting lost in over 400 rooms. Guides navigate directly to the key masterpieces, provide context you would miss on your own, and tours typically last 2 to 3 hours — enough to cover the essentials without museum fatigue.

The Louvre is open Wednesday through Monday from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m., with late openings until 9:45 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays. The museum is closed every Tuesday, and on January 1, May 1, and December 25.

Skip-the-line tickets let you bypass the ticket purchase queue, which can reach 45 to 90 minutes in high season. However, all visitors — regardless of ticket type — must pass through the mandatory security checkpoint.

Yes, on the first Friday of each month after 6:00 p.m. (except July and August), admission is free for all visitors. Children under 18 and EU residents aged 18 to 25 with valid ID always enter free, but still need a reserved time slot.

The Carrousel du Louvre entrance (accessed from 99 Rue de Rivoli) consistently has the shortest lines and is indoors. The Glass Pyramid is the main entrance but has the longest wait times, especially between late morning and mid-afternoon.