- Explore after the daytime rush: Evening hours give you another way to experience the Louvre, with more time to slow down and focus on the galleries you want to see.
- See the Pyramid illuminated: After dark, I. M. Pei’s glass Pyramid lights up against the historic palace, making Cour Napoléon worth a stop before or after your visit.
- Catch the reflections: Walk around the Pyramid and its surrounding pools to see the illuminated glass reflected across the water, especially once the sky gets darker.
- See the palace differently: The Louvre’s façades, courtyards, and sculptures take on a different character under the evening lights, adding another layer to the museum experience.
Visiting the Louvre at night: What to know
Quick overview: Visiting the Louvre at night
The Louvre stays open until 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, giving you more time to explore after the daytime rush.
- Night hours: Wednesday & Friday, until 9pm
- Best for: Seeing the galleries and illuminated Pyramid later in the day
- Time to plan: Allow 2–3 hours for the main highlights
- Last entry: 1 hour before closing
- Route: Prioritize the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, Venus de Milo, and a few galleries rather than the entire museum
- Good to know: Many museum restaurants close earlier than the galleries, so plan dinner or snacks around your visit
What makes the Louvre magical at night?
Things to know before visiting the Louvre at night
- The Louvre night hours are extended till 9pm on Wednesdays and Fridays, of both the days Wednesdays experience fewer crowds. You will experience a noticeable decrease even in summer.
- Book the latest time slot available to experience the magic of the Louvre at night and still have enough time to explore the museum.
- Keep aside at least 2-3 hours to explore the highlights of the museum without having to rush through the artworks.
- Please note the last entry slot is 1 hour before closing time. Get to the museum earlier in order to explore leisurely.
- If you are travelling during the winter, you can get a backpack to store your bulky jackets and coats in the locker room. You won't feel very cold because the galleries are well-heated inside.
- The Louvre has several restaurants inside the museum, but except for Starbucks and The Comptoir du Louvre all the restaurants close by 6pm even on the days with extended Louvre night hours. Plan for your snacks or meals, especially if you are travelling with children.
- Admission to the museum is free for all European Economic Area tourists under the age of 25 every day. Additionally, the museum is open to visitors under the age of 26 every Wednesday and Friday from 6 to 9 p.m., regardless of their nationality.
- One excellent location to purchase souvenirs from the Louvre is the Book and Gift shop in the Allée du Grand Louvre. The store offers excellent casts, copies, and art reproductions of the pieces on exhibit at the museum. It is open Wednesday and Friday until 9 p.m.
Your perfect night itinerary for the Louvre
Start at the Glass Pyramid
Begin your visit with a refresher on the building's history, from its medieval remnants to its glass pyramids, which seem even all the more symbolic as they glint in the moonlight.
Denon Wing
Head straight to the most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa, and right opposite this is The Wedding at Cana.
Sully Wing
Admire the iconic ancient Greek statue of the goddess Aphrodite, Venus de Milo, and marvel at the Winged Victory of Samothrace, located at the top of the Daru staircase.
Denon Wing - continued
Admire the Italian sculptures by Canova and Michelangelo after viewing well-known French paintings from the 19th century, such as Delacroix's Liberty Leading the People.
Frequently asked questions about visiting the Louvre at night
To make the most of your visit, focus on specific galleries or collections that interest you, as navigating the entire museum can be overwhelming.
Some guided tours or special events might include hands-on activities like drawing workshops, scavenger hunts, or storytelling sessions designed to engage children with art.
Photography is generally allowed in most areas of the Louvre, but to protect the artworks, no flash photography is permitted.
The Louvre has several restaurants inside the museum, but except for Starbucks and The Comptoir du Louvre all the restaurants close by 6pm even on the days with extended Louvre night hours.
Occasionally, the Louvre hosts special events such as evening tours, concerts, or talks. These events might require separate tickets or reservations.
