Getting to the Louvre Museum

By metro: Take either Line 1 or 7 and get off at Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre respectively. This stop drops you right at the gates of the artistic treasures! Or get off at Pyramides by taking Line 14. Another convenient stop, just a short stroll from the museum.
By bus: Take any of these busses 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, 95 that connect the different parts of Paris to the museum. Check the local bus schedule to find the best you.

Head through the Galerie du Carrousel entrance from the car park. The car park is located at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier which is open daily from 7am to 11pm.
The parking fees follow the standard street parking fees. It would be around €4-€6 per hour, depending on the exact location and time of day.

Cyclist riding a Velib bike near the Louvre Museum in Paris.

There are several Vélib' stations around the Louvre, making it easy to pick up or drop off a bike:

Station 10121
- Quai des Tuileries (across from the Louvre): Located near the Tuileries Gardens and close to the main entrance.
Station 10123 Louvre Rivoli: Situated along Rue de Rivoli, near the museum’s west entrance.
Station 10135 Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre: Close to the Palais Royal, just a short walk to the museum’s main entrance.

Know before you visit the Louvre Museum

Louvre Museum glass pyramid entrance in Paris, France.

The Glass Pyramid entrance (main entrance): The Glass Pyramid, is the most famous and iconic entrance to the Louvre. It sits in the Cour Napoléon courtyard and leads directly into the museum’s main halls.
The Carrousel du Louvre entrance (underground entrance): This less well-known entrance is located on the Rue de Rivoli side of the museum, near the Tuileries Gardens. It is a good alternative to the pyramid if you want to avoid the crowds.
The Porte des Lions entrance: This entrance is situated on the south side of the museum, facing the Seine River. It leads to the Sully Wing and the Richelieu Wing
The Richelieu entrance (from Rue de Rivoli): This entrance is often used by special tours or VIP guests, as it is connected to the museum's Richelieu Wing.

Information desks: Under the Pyramid are two information desks where guests can pick up the museum map (available in nine languages) and ask any questions they may have of the personnel.
Cloakroom: Self-service lockers are free of charge. It is recommended that visitors refrain from bringing heavy bags or suitcases to the museum. On the same day, everything left in the lockers needs to be picked up. Any valuables left in the lockers are not the museum's responsibility.
Free Wi-Fi: The "Louvre_Wifi_Gratuit" network is accessible in the exhibition spaces and beneath the Pyramid. The complimentary Wi-Fi connection can be extended as often as necessary and lasts for an hour.
Loan of equipment: The tourist aid area (under the Pyramid) offers free wheelchairs, pushchairs, walking sticks, folding stools, baby carriers, and multipurpose rolling chairs in exchange for a piece of identification.
Restrooms: Toilets can be found in the welcome area under the Pyramid and throughout the museum. Most have a baby changing table.
Lost and found: If you've lost something and are still at the museum, visit the Help Desk under the Pyramid, where staff will assist you. If you've already left, you can submit a report form on our partner website to inform the Lost & Found team.
Baby space: The Studio, a dedicated space for families on the ground floor of the Richelieu wing, features a baby area with a bottle warmer, microwave, and nursing chair—providing everything you need for a peaceful moment with your baby.

Café Richelieu-Angelina: Located inside the Louvre in the Richelieu Wing, Café Richelieu is a stylish spot for a meal or a coffee break. The café serves a variety of pastries, sandwiches, and light meals, with the famous Angelina hot chocolate as a popular treat.
Le Café du Louvre: Located in the museum’s main courtyard, Le Café du Louvre offers a comfortable spot to relax and enjoy a meal. It has a variety of options for breakfast, lunch, and snacks, including sandwiches, salads, and French pastries.
Restaurant le Grand Louvre: For a more refined experience, Restaurant le Grand Louvre offers elegant French cuisine. The restaurant has a sophisticated ambience and is ideal for those looking for a sit-down meal after exploring the museum.

Le Meurice: A 5-minute walk from the Louvre. A luxurious 5-star hotel, Le Meurice offers opulent rooms, an iconic Parisian experience, and impeccable service. It's perfect for those seeking elegance and proximity to both the Louvre and other landmarks like the Tuileries Gardens.
Hotel de la Place du Louvre: A 3-minute walk from the Louvre, this charming 4-star hotel is a great choice for those looking for a boutique experience close to the museum. It offers cosy rooms and a warm, inviting atmosphere.
Hôtel Louvre Bons Enfants: A 5-minute walk from the Louvre, this 3-star hotel offers a more affordable option while still providing easy access to the Louvre. It’s a cosy, boutique hotel with simple yet stylish rooms and excellent service.

Notre Dame de Paris Cathedral exterior with tourists walking nearby, France.

Notre Dame Cathedral: Notre Dame de Paris is the most famous of the Gothic cathedrals of the Middle Ages and is distinguished for its size, antiquity, and architectural interest.
Orangerie Museum: Most famous for its display dedicated to Monet's Water Lilies, this gallery has a wide collection of impressionist and post-impressionist works.
Orsay Museum: Musée d’Orsay, a national museum of fine and applied arts in Paris that features work mainly from France between 1848 and 1914.

Louvre Museum entrance with Inverted Pyramid and visitors exploring the courtyard in Paris.

The Louvre is huge, and kids and the elderly can get overwhelmed by the sheer size. Focus on a few key sections or artworks to make the visit manageable. Plan for 2-3 hours rather than trying to see everything. You can always return another day if needed.
The museum offers special family tours that are interactive and designed to capture children’s attention. These tours often include games, fun facts, and a more dynamic way of exploring the collection.
Regardless of which entrance you use, consider buying your tickets in advance online to save time and avoid long lines at the entrance.
Use the Passage Richelieu and Galerie du Carrousel entrances to enter the museum, as these are less crowded than the main Pyramid entrance.
The Louvre has three wings: Sully, Denon, and Richelieu. While Denon and Sully are the busiest, the Richelieu wing offers a quieter experience with remarkable French sculptures, Mesopotamian artifacts, and Napoleon III's opulent apartments from his time as emperor.
Be sure to carry water and wear comfortable shoes. The Louvre is massive, and that involves a lot of walking. You can also borrow walking sticks and foldable chairs from the Museum Centre for free.

Accessibility at the Louvre Museum

Tourists at Louvre Museum Paris with direct entry tickets, exploring art before visiting Versailles Palace.

Admission to the museum is free for visitors with disabilities and their accompanying persons, with the necessary supporting documents.
Disabled visitors and their companions are given priority access at the reception and museum entrances, allowing them to bypass the queue.
Access via the Pyramid: A central lift (the ‘tube’) will take you from the Pyramid to the reception area.
Access via Carrousel shopping center: You can access the Carrousel shopping center from the car park or the entrance at 99 rue de Rivoli. To reach the reception area beneath the Pyramid, escalators and two elevators are available. Speak with the agents at the Carrousel entrance, who will direct you to the lifts. Once you reach the underground shopping area, walk 50 meters toward the inverted pyramid, where you'll undergo a security check before entering the museum.

Wheelchairs, folding chairs, and canes with rubber tips are available for free loan. Please inquire at the Help Desk beneath the Pyramid. A piece of ID is required to borrow the equipment and equipment must remain within the Louvre premises. Note that canes with metal tips are not permitted in the museum.

For visitors with assistive listening devices, hearing loops are available at various locations, including beneath the Pyramid, at the Information Desk, automated ticketing machines, group reception area, the Help Desk, and the Auditorium.
The Louvre offers audio guides on the Nintendo 3DS™ XL with tours designed for visitors with hearing impairments. Hearing loops compatible with these audio guides can be provided upon request.
Audio-guided tours are available to explore the history of the palace and its artworks, and are tailored for adults or families. These tours are also offered in French Sign Language and audio description (in French only).

Tourists viewing venus de milo at the Louvre Museum, Paris.

An escort service can be arranged upon request to help you travel from the nearest metro station or Carrousel car park to the museum. For more details, please submit a request through this form or call +33 (0)1 40 20 53 17.
Staff are also available to assist you in getting from the Pyramid to the museum’s galleries. For more information, visit the Information Desk beneath the Pyramid.

For information about services for visitors with special needs, please ask at the Help Desk beneath the Pyramid.
Folding chairs and SensoryBags (kits designed for people with sensory impairments, including noise-canceling headphones, eye masks, etc.) are available free of charge. A piece of ID is required to borrow the items, and they must remain within the Louvre.
Staff are available to assist you in traveling from the Information Desk to the museum. This escort service can be requested at the Help Desk.

Visiting as a family

Experience the Louvre with your children at no additional charge – entry to both the permanent collections and temporary exhibitions is free for all visitors under 18 (or 26 for EEA residents). The museum also provides guided tours, interactive workshops, storytelling sessions in the palace, and a range of online media resources to enjoy at home.

Frequently asked questions about visiting the Louvre

Where is the Louvre located?

The museum is located at Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France

What are the opening hours of the museum?

The Louvre Museum is open from 9am to 6pm on Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday, with extended opening hours from 9am till 9pm on Wednesday and Friday.

How long does it take to explore the Louvre Museum?

Exploring the museum may take 3-4 hours to at least cover the major highlights. However, the duration may vary depending on the individual’s interest.

What is the best time to visit the museum?

To avoid large crowds, the best time to visit the museum is during the weekdays and between January to April.

How do I get to the museum with public transport?

You could use metro lines 1 or 7, which stop right at the museum. Or you could take the following bus lines: 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, and 95, which have stops close to the Louvre.

How do I get to the Louvre by road?

From the car park, head through the Galerie du Carrousel entrance. The car park is located at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier and is open daily from 7am to 11pm.

Is photography allowed inside the Louvre?

Yes, personal photography is allowed inside the museum.

Are there dining options inside the museum?

There are multiple dining options inside the museum. Choose the one that best suits your needs and taste. Some of the options are Café Richelieu-Angelina, Le Fumoir, Café du Louvre, and La Petite Galerie.