Louvre Museum

The world's largest art museum, housed in a former royal palace and featuring the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and thousands of other masterpieces. Its combination of priceless artworks, architectural grandeur, and central Paris location make it the planet's most visited museum.

Things to do

• View the Mona Lisa — See Leonardo da Vinci's most famous portrait in the Denon Wing, one of the world's most recognizable paintings.
• Explore the Venus de Milo — Admire this ancient Greek marble sculpture of Aphrodite in the Denon Wing's Greek and Roman antiquities section.
• Walk through the Egyptian Antiquities — Discover mummies, sarcophagi, and artifacts spanning thousands of years of pharaonic civilization in the Denon Wing.
• Admire the Winged Victory — Marvel at this Hellenistic marble sculpture of Nike, goddess of victory, displayed at the top of the Daru staircase.
• Tour the Palace Apartments — Experience the opulent rooms of former French monarchs with original furnishings and decorations in the Richelieu Wing.
• See French Paintings Gallery — View masterworks by Delacroix, Ingres, and Poussin showcasing the evolution of French artistic tradition.

Food to try

• Café Marly Coffee and Pastries — Enjoy an espresso and croissant at the museum's rooftop café overlooking the Louvre courtyard and Parisian skyline.
• Boulangerie Sandwich — Grab a fresh baguette sandwich with French cheese and charcuterie from nearby bakeries on Rue de Rivoli.
• Macarons from Pierre Hermé — Sample exquisite French macarons in seasonal flavors from the renowned pastry shop near the museum entrance.
• French Bistro Lunch — Experience traditional French cuisine like coq au vin or duck confit at restaurants in the surrounding 1st arrondissement.

Local customs & good to know

• Book tickets in advance — Purchase timed entry tickets online before visiting to avoid hours-long queues, especially during peak tourist seasons.
• Arrive early for popular works — Visit famous paintings like the Mona Lisa early in the morning or late afternoon when crowds are smaller.
• Use the museum map — The Louvre is vast with over 35,000 artworks; obtain a map or audio guide to prioritize your must-see masterpieces.
• Respect photography policies — Photography without flash is permitted in most areas, but be mindful of other visitors and never use tripods or selfie sticks.