- Who it’s for: Most individual visitors, including pre-booked ticket holders , Paris Museum Pass holders, and visitors buying tickets onsite.
- Skips the ticket queue: Pre-booked visitors use the ticket-holder queue; mandatory security still applies.
- Where exactly: Cour Napoléon, beneath the Louvre’s glass Pyramid.
- Crowds & waits: This is the main entrance and can become busy. The Louvre does not publish a standard average wait time.
- Faster/slower than: No reliable official comparison is published.
- Accessibility: Priority access is available; the central “tube” lift leads to reception beneath the Pyramid.
- Pro tip: Green is for ticket holders, orange for visitors without tickets, and blue for priority access.
Louvre Museum entrances | Which entrance to use and why
Quick overview: Louvre Museum entrances
The Louvre has four entrances: Pyramid, Carrousel, Passage Richelieu, and Porte des Lions. Which one you can use depends largely on your ticket and visitor type.
- Main entrance: Pyramid
- Pre-booked tickets: Pyramid, Carrousel, or Porte des Lions
- Groups & members: Passage Richelieu
- Step-free access: Pyramid or Carrousel
- Security: Mandatory at every entrance
⬇️ Jump to “Choose the best Louvre entrance”
Choose the best Louvre entrance for you
Pyramid Entrance (Main Entrance)
Carrousel Entrance
- Who it’s for: Ticket holders, groups, and members, particularly visitors arriving from Rue de Rivoli or the underground Carrousel.
- Skips the ticket queue: Ticket holders can enter here without buying onsite; mandatory security still applies.
- Where exactly: 99 Rue de Rivoli, through the Carrousel du Louvre shopping centre.
- Crowds & waits: The Louvre does not publish a reliable average wait time for this entrance.
- Faster/slower than: No official entrance-by-entrance wait comparison is published.
- Accessibility: Step-free access is available. Two lifts lead toward reception beneath the Pyramid.
- Pro tip: From the underground shopping area, continue about 50m toward the inverted Pyramid and security.
Porte des Lions Entrance
- Who it’s for: Visitors who already hold a valid Louvre admission ticket and want an alternative to the main Pyramid entrance.
- Skips the ticket queue: You must already have admission; mandatory security requirements still apply.
- Where exactly: Quai François Mitterrand, on the Seine-facing side of the Louvre.
- Crowds & waits: No reliable official average wait time is published for Porte des Lions.
- Faster/slower than: No official comparison with the Pyramid or Carrousel is published.
- Accessibility: Equipment loans are not available at this entrance.
- Pro tip: Porte des Lions closes at 6pm, with last entry at 5pm. Its locker room is accessible only until 3pm.
Passage Richelieu Entrance
- Who it’s for: Reserved groups, eligible guided groups, museum-activity participants, auditorium visitors, members, and specified professional card holders.
- Skips the ticket queue: Access is based on eligibility; it is not a general skip-the-line entrance.
- Where exactly: Rue de Rivoli, beneath the Louvre’s Richelieu Wing.
- Crowds & waits: This is a restricted entrance, and the Louvre publishes no standard average wait time.
- Faster/slower than: It cannot be directly compared with general visitor entrances because access is restricted.
- Accessibility: General accessible routes are available through the Pyramid and Carrousel.
- Pro tip: Passage Richelieu closes after 5:30pm, or 7:30pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Find the right entrance for your ticket
| Ticket type | Use this entrance | What to know |
|---|---|---|
Pre-reserved entry | Pyramid, Carrousel, or Porte des Lions | Security applies |
Guided tour | Follow your ticket | Meet guide first |
Hosted entry | Follow your ticket | Meet host first |
Group | Passage Richelieu | Restricted access |
Accessible entrances at the Louvre
- The Pyramid and Carrousel provide accessible routes into the Louvre. At the Pyramid, a central “tube” lift takes visitors with reduced mobility, wheelchair users, and visitors with prams down to reception.
- From the Carrousel, enter via 99 Rue de Rivoli or the underground car park. Two lifts are available; continue about 50m toward the inverted Pyramid to reach security.
- Visitors with disabilities and one accompanying person receive free admission with supporting documentation and priority access at reception and museum checkpoints. Booking a timed slot is still strongly recommended.
- Wheelchairs, folding chairs, canes, sensory bags, and other accessibility equipment can be borrowed free beneath the Pyramid in exchange for ID.
Security, bags & re-entry
All Louvre visitors must pass security screening, including those with pre-booked or skip-the-line tickets. Bags and suitcases larger than 55 × 35 × 20cm are not permitted.
Free self-service lockers are available beneath the Pyramid and at Porte des Lions, subject to availability. Collect stored items the same day. Any exit is final, so you cannot leave the museum and re-enter using the same ticket.
Frequently asked questions about the Louvre entrances
The Carrousel du Louvre Entrance is the best option during rain or extreme weather, as it provides underground access from the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre Metro station and the Carrousel shopping mall.
The Richelieu Passage Entrance is ideal for groups, including families, as it is less crowded and offers direct access to the museum's Richelieu wing.
Yes, all entrances are wheelchair accessible, but the Pyramid Entrance provides priority access for visitors with disabilities. Staff assistance is available, and ramps are in place where needed.
No, all entrances require mandatory security screenings. However, lines for these checks are generally shorter at the Carrousel du Louvre and Richelieu Passage entrances.
The Pyramid Entrance or the Carrousel du Louvre Entrance are the most direct options. Once inside, follow signs to the Denon Wing, where the Mona Lisa is displayed.
The Porte des Lions Entrance is a lesser-known option that often has shorter lines. However, it is not always open, so check its status before your visit.
For late-night openings (Wednesdays and Fridays), the Pyramid Entrance and Carrousel du Louvre Entrance are the most convenient and usually less crowded in the evening.
With a valid ticket, you can use the Pyramid, Carrousel, or Porte des Lions. Check current entrance availability before visiting, as operating conditions can vary.
Meeting points vary by tour. Some groups use designated group entrances, but always follow the exact meeting point and entry instructions shown on your booking voucher.
No. Louvre tickets do not allow re-entry once you exit the museum. Plan your galleries, breaks, and meals before leaving, as your visit ends at exit.
