As being the world's largest art museum, the Louvre is one of Paris's must-see tourist destinations. Located in the Palais du Louvre, the former royal castle from which it takes its name, the Louvre boasts over 460,000 works of art in its halls and storerooms. Dive into the heart of history to admire the departments devoted to Egyptian, Oriental, Greek and Roman antiquities, and book and buy your admission tickets online right now : both child and adult find pleasure in visiting this cultural landmark in France!
Louvre Museum Tickets : visit the most famous museum in Paris
The collection of the Louvre Museum (Musée du Louvre in French) has been enriched with unique pieces and exceptional masterpieces over the centuries. With 40,000 pieces of art displayed over 210,000 m2 and 9 million visitors each year, the Louvre is a true must-see when visiting Paris. It is also the largest and most visited museum in the city. To get there without queuing for hours, and to ensure that you have the services of a competent guide who will accompany you on guided tours of the museum, it is advisable to book your visit to the Louvre with PARISCityVISION and enjoy reserved access for entry to the museum.
There are different types of visits that are available to discover all the secrets of the Louvre Museum. Depending on the type of visit you will choose, the price of your ticket will vary. Some criteria such as the age of the visitor, the time of the year (with the presence of temporary exhibitions for example), and the combination of services will also make the price of the ticket change. However, the Louvre Museum tickets are affordable, in order to give everybody the opportunity to discover this unique place.
Louvre tickets for a 2.5-hour guided tour
You can choose a 2.5-hour guided tour with priority access to the museum. You will be accompanied by an experienced guide-interpreter who will highlight some of the museum's must-see works. At the end of the tour, you'll be free to explore the museum and its permanent and temporary exhibitions at your leisure, browsing through the various departments and the works of art, sculptures, paintings and graphic arts from all periods.
The deep knowledge of your professional guide will enable you to discover more about some of the most famous pieces of art of the world. Discover or rediscover the precious secrets of the Mona Lisa, by Leonardo da Vinci, probably the main attraction of the whole museum with more than 20 000 visitors per day. You will also have the opportunity to dive into the Coronation of Napoleon by Jacques-Louis David, or to commemorate the July Revolution of 1830 with Eugene Delacroix’s painting, Liberty Leading the People, a true symbol of French culture. Follow the guide and prepare to be amazed by the museum’s secrets and fun facts.
You also have the option to book a group excursion, with a minibus departure from your place of residence, for an exclusive guided tour of the Louvre with reserved access.
Louvre tickets for a self-guided tour
If you have time and want to discover the alleys of the museum at your own pace, we recommend you to opt for a ticket for a self-guided tour. You can wander freely using a map, following themed itineraries or concentrating on the most famous works if your time is limited. Each new room you visit holds its own set of surprises!
You have the option to reserve and buy a ticket for a self-guided tour which includes an audio guide available in various languages: French, English, Italian, Spanish, German, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, or Russian. It is certainly the best option if you want to enjoy a personalized experience.
Tickets for interiors and exteriors
Since 1973, the Louvre Museum has been one of the best museums in Paris and is currently the most visited, averaging 50 visitors per minute. While the iconic glass pyramid at the entrance and the highlight of the visit, the famous Mona Lisa, capture attention, the entirety of the museum's collections is worth exploring. Spanning 73,000 square meters of exhibition space, the museum is situated in an exceptional site covering a total area of 40 hectares in the heart of Paris.
Take the time to admire the exteriors, the Napoleon Courtyard, and the architectural details of the immense facades punctuated with monumental windows. As the exteriors are freely accessible, you won't need a ticket to appreciate their beauty.
Book your Louvre Museum ticket online with PARISCityVISION and enjoy reserved admission to the most beautiful museum in France and Europe.
Department of Near Eastern Antiquities
The Department of Near Eastern Antiquities is divided into three collections corresponding to the geographical areas from the eastern Mediterranean, through the Arabic peninsula and the Black Sea to India. These are Mesopotamia, Persia and the Levant (Lucia, Lydia, Cilicia, Phoenicia, Cyprus).
A selection of 5 pieces from the birthplace of humanity
The Code of Hammurabi, King of Babylon
This 7-foot high tablet is an incredible work of art and a priceless account of Mesopotamian life. Dating from 1750 BC, it is the most complete Babylonian law code currently known.
Where to find it: Richelieu wing, 1st floor, room 3
The frieze of the lion passant, originating from Babylon
A symbol of Babylon in the Bible, the lion regularly features in works from this era. The lion passant is a bas-relief that decorated the walls of Nebuchadnezzar Palace in Babylon.
Where to find it: Richelieu wing, 1st floor, room 3
The frieze of archers of Susa
This is the favourite work of children visiting the Louvre Museum. Made from colored bricks, the frieze shows the parade of archers armed with lances and bows on their shoulders. There are various theories regarding the identity of these Persian soldiers. Some people believe them to be the “immortals” of the guard of Darius I.
Where to find it: Sully wing, 1st floor, room 11
The Baal with Thunderbolt stele, originating from Ugarit
This stele dates from the Bronze Age. It shows the God Baal brandishing a mace and planting a thunderbolt in the ground almost like a plant. The small character on the god's right is thought to be the King of Ugarit, protected by the god of war.
Where to find it: Sully wing, 1st floor, room B
Capital of a column from the palace of Darius I
It's impossible to ignore this monumental installation in the Department of Near Eastern Antiquities. It is more than a simple sculpture, it is one of the heads of the columns of the audience hall (Apadana) of King Darius I. It formed part of the decoration of a 358-foot square room. Built in Susa for the accession of Darius I to the throne, it demonstrated his power to visitors to the audience hall who came to consult him.
Where to find it: Sully wing, 1st floor, room 12a
Department of Islamic Art
Together with the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Louvre Museum is home to the largest collection of Islamic works of art in the world. The recent developments completed in 2012 included arrangement of spaces, where more than 3,000 pieces documenting Islamic art from Spain to India are on display.
5 works not to be missed in Louvre Museum department of Islamic Art
The bowl known as the “Saint-Louis baptistery”
This mysterious object dates from between 1320 and 1340 and bears the name of Saint-Louis (Louis IX), as it is said that it was he who brought it to France. However, research shows that the font is from after the life of the French king. The secret regarding its function and its original owner is still intact.
Where to find it: Denon wing, Visconti courtyard
Plate with peacock
The plate with peacock originates from Turkey, and it is estimated to date from the year 1550. It is a painted plate with a diameter of almost 15 inches. It is highly regarded for the beauty of the plant patterns and the majestic peacock in the center.
Where to find it: Denon wing, Visconti courtyard
Bottle with coat of arms
The bottle with coat of arms is a stylish, colorful object. Originating from Syria and dating from the 14th century, you can see the Chinese influence in the patterns on this Mamluk work.
Where to find it: Denon wing, Visconti courtyard
The Reader
Named The Reader, this painting comes from Uzbekistan and was bequeathed to the museum in the early 1990s. It depicts a literature enthusiast in reading pose, accompanied by other characters around him.
Where to find it: Denon wing, Visconti courtyard
Horse’s head dagger
This object dates back to the 17th century. The horse's head dagger comes from Mongolian India. The curved steel blade has gold motifs on its base.
Where to find it: Denon wing, Visconti courtyard
Not yet well known to the public, it is attracting more and more visitors. It would come as no surprise if this part of the museum were to become one of the most popular as the years go by.
Department of Decorative Arts
A wide variety of pieces make up the collections of the Department of Decorate Arts. Furniture, tapestries, ornaments, clocks, and crockery, they give an insight into the lives and habits of the nobility and bourgeoisie from the Middle Ages to the 19th century.
A selection of 5 noteworthy objects
Equestrian statuette of Charlemagne
Found in 1807 by Alexandre Lenoir, this statuette of Charlemagne appears in numerous history books. This bronze statue, which was previously gold-plated, stands 10 inches high. It shows Charlemagne in a royal position inspired by the equestrian representations of Roman emperors.
Where to find it: Richelieu wing, room 1
Apostles from a Feuillantine convent
These stained glass plates were confiscated during the Revolution. They were originally housed in a convent in Paris. They depict Saint Paul and Saint Thomas and are credited to Léonard Limousin.
Where to find them: Richelieu wing, room 16
The crown of Louis XV
It was designed by jeweler Claude Rondé. The design was used whenever a unique crown needed to be made. The one made for Louis XV also drew inspiration from the crown of Joseph V of Portugal.
Where to find it: Richelieu wing, Apollon Gallery, room 66
The Napoleon III apartments
These are the most popular rooms in the Louvre's Department of Decorative Arts. They provide a realistic and unique representation of Second Empire fashion.
Where to find them: Richelieu wing, rooms 83 to 92
The Department of Decorative Arts is one of the ten departments of the Louvre. To fully enjoy your visit and avoid wasting time queuing, you can book your Louvre tickets online now.
