1 / 5The Louvre is the world's largest art museum and one of Paris's must-see landmarks — home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and I.M. Pei's famous glass Pyramid. It's also a genuinely ticketed venue where advance, timed-entry booking is mandatory, so a little planning before you arrive makes a real difference. Here's what you need to know.
🎟️See Louvre Museum tickets on GetYourGuide →Where it is
The Louvre sits in the 1st arrondissement (1er), on Rue de Rivoli beside the Tuileries and Palais Royal. The main entrance is the glass Pyramid in the Cour Napoléon. You can also enter via the Carrousel du Louvre, the underground mall at 99 Rue de Rivoli, which is often quieter.
Getting there: Take the Metro to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre (Lines 1 and 7), which has direct underground access to the museum through the Carrousel du Louvre. Tuileries station on Line 1 is also nearby.
What to see
- Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo
- The world's largest art museum, housed in a former royal palace
- I.M. Pei's iconic glass Pyramid in the Cour Napoléon
- Vast collections spanning Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman sculpture, and European painting
The collection is enormous — trying to see everything in one visit isn't realistic. Pick a few galleries or highlights and go at your own pace.
Skip-the-line vs guided tour
Because timed-entry booking is required, the real question is how you book, not whether to.
Reserved-access / skip-the-ticket-line entry tickets give you a set arrival slot and let you bypass the ticket queue. Pros: cheaper, flexible, explore on your own. Cons: no guide, so you navigate the vast layout yourself. One honest caveat — "skip-the-line" here mainly means skipping the ticket queue; a security-screening wait (up to around 20 minutes in peak season) can still apply.
Guided tours with admission included — including Mona Lisa and masterpieces tours, small-group and private — bundle your entry with a guide who takes you straight to the highlights and adds context. Pros: no navigation stress, expert commentary, admission built in. Cons: costlier and you follow a set route rather than wandering freely.
Both are legitimate ways to visit the Louvre. Unlike some venues that sell only through their own site, third-party reserved-access entry is valid here.
Book Louvre Museum tickets & tours
GetYourGuide has the widest choice for Louvre Museum — GYG genuinely sells Louvre entry: reserved-access / skip-the-ticket-line entry tickets AND guided tours with museum admission included (Mona Lisa/masterpieces tours, small-group and private). Unlike official-only venues (e.g. Anne Frank), third-party reserved-access entry is legitimate for the Louvre. Note: even with reserved timed entry, a security-screening wait (up to ~20 min in peak season) can still apply., most with free cancellation. Check live prices:
Prices and availability change. Some links are affiliate links — booking through them supports the site at no extra cost to you.
Insider tips
- Book in advance — it's mandatory. You cannot rely on walking up and buying on the day.
- Consider entering via the Carrousel du Louvre (99 Rue de Rivoli) rather than queuing at the Pyramid.
- Only buy from the official ticket site or a reputable authorised reseller. The Louvre officially warns about fraudulent "mirror" ticket websites and illicit street vendors — avoid both.
- Even with a reserved slot, allow a little extra time for security screening at peak periods.
Is it worth it?
Yes. This is a genuinely ticketed museum where advance timed-entry is required, so pre-booking is real value rather than a gimmick — it secures your entry and skips the ticket queue. Choose a straightforward entry ticket if you'd rather explore independently, or a guided tour if you want the highlights delivered without the navigation headache. Just book through a trustworthy source.
FAQs
Do I really need to book in advance?
Yes. Advance timed-entry reservation is mandatory at the Louvre — you can't count on buying a ticket at the door on the day.
Does "skip-the-line" mean no waiting at all?
Not quite. Reserved-access tickets let you skip the ticket queue via your booked time slot, but a security-screening wait can still apply — up to around 20 minutes in busy periods.
Are third-party tickets and tours legitimate for the Louvre?
Yes. Unlike official-site-only venues, the Louvre allows legitimate third-party reserved-access entry and guided tours that include admission. Just be sure to use the official site or a reputable authorised reseller, and steer clear of mirror sites and street vendors.
🎟️ Top things to do in Paris
Skip the queues with pre-booked tickets. Compare prices across GetYourGuide and Tiqets — both offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before.
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