Ah the Louvre Museum, everyone knows about it but not everyone can get around it all. It’s absolutely huge! It is an astounding museum and is still one of the best in the world that I’ve seen, despite how busy it can get.
Here I will try to guide you through the best way to see the Louvre using the most efficient routes. This of course a matter of opinion as each person would want to see something different in this top Paris museum but this is made to cover the popular and well known attractions of The Louvre.
Located in the heart of Paris, the Louvre Museum is an absolute treasure trove of art, culture, and history. I was struck not just by the impressive art but by the pure opulence and riches from floor to ceiling throughout the place.
It’s like wandering a Royal palace, which is exactly what it once was. With its vast collection and iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa, visiting the Louvre can be quite overwhelming especially, especially for first-time visitors, given its size. So here are some tips to help you navigate the Louvre.
Plan Your Visit in Advance
The key to an efficient Louvre experience starts before you even set foot in the museum. Research and plan your visit before you go so that you know what you want to see and how to get there.
The Louvre’s official website provides detailed information about opening hours, ticket prices, and exhibitions. I would advise purchasing tickets online to skip the long queues and save time. I didn’t go via the official route I actually purchased an All-inclusive 4-day Go City Paris Pass which allowed me to max out Paris and see 5 museums plus the Eiffel Tower, Arc de Triomphe and 6 other large attractions for a discount so I definitely got my money’s worth.
A good technique is to get a map and familiarise yourself with the museum’s layout and create a list of the artworks you most want to see. Click on the map below that I got.
The best times to visit the Louvre
To avoid the largest crowds, you are better off visiting the Louvre during non-peak hours. Mornings and weekdays tend to be less crowded, allowing you to move around more freely with fewer queues and lower waiting times. Arriving early or planning an evening visit (Fridays when the museum stays open until 9:45 PM) are optimal slots when crowds are lowest. See the below chart to see when it is busiest.
Focus on the highlights and map it out
Given the Louvre’s immense size, attempting to see everything can be exhausting and time-consuming. So focus on the highlights that you want to see. The museum will also provide free maps at the entrance and there are also various smartphone apps available that offer interactive maps and guided tours to help you along the way.
There are five official entrances to the Louvre: Porte des Lions, the Glass Pyramid, through the Carrousel du Louvre, and Passage Richelieu. You should enter via the pyramid entrance as this will give you an awe-inspiring start as you see it upside down underneath.
The main things to see in the Louvre (in my opinion)
The Louvre Pyramid (top and bottom)
The Mona Lisa
The Wedding Feast at Cana
The Raft of the Medusa
The Consecration of Napoleon
Winged Victory of Samothrace
Galerie d’Apollonn (Crown Jewels)
Venus de Milo
The best route through the Louvre to see the big attractions
Lucky for you we’ve done the hard work. To make your visit efficient, start by visiting the Louvre’s most famous artworks first. Since you entered under the pyramid that’s one crossed off. The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the Crown Jewels are among the iconic pieces that attract large crowds.
Rooms 600-700 contain the most highlights
Most of the above highlights are in rooms 600-700 which are fairly close together so head there first. By heading to these highlights early on, you can admire them with fewer people around and avoid long lines.
When you get to the Mona Lisa in room 711 that will be the big one for crowds, just be patient, you will get near the front eventually. It is encased behind glass so you can’t actually get that close to it and it is a small painting too so I found it quite underwhelming. The Wedding Feast at Cana painting in the same room, however, is much more impressive and it is a huge, detailed work of art.
Head through to the red rooms to room 700 where you will see The Raft of the Medusa
and The Consecration of Napoleon many other hugely grand and historical paintings, no need to rush through here, they’re all impressive works of art.
Afterward, head backward over to room 705 to see the Crown Jewels within the royal palace decor. This area was one of the most impressive for me and it feels like you are in a true palace with golden detail dripping from every corner. You will then catch the Winged Victory of Samothrace on the stairs nearby in room 703
You can’t miss level 0 either
Head downstairs to level 0 and towards room 345 to see Venus de Milo but there will be many other amazing sculptures around it that are worth checking out too so wander through all of the 300s and take in the historical sculptures.
That would cover the main highlights and you will only have covered just about a quarter of the museum by this stage so there’s so much more else to see. If you have more time I would head back up to level 1 where the best bits are and walk around the 500’s rooms to see some more palace opulence and ridiculously rich decor including the Napoleon apartments in room 545.
Take Advantage of Guided Tours
Consider joining a guided tour to get more background on the Louvre’s collection. Guided tours can help you navigate more highlights of the museum efficiently and provide valuable information about the artworks. There are both official Louvre-guided tours and third-party options available. Choose a tour that suits your preferences and budget.
Can you bring your own food and drink in the Louvre?
You can’t consume your own food and drink in the exhibition rooms of the museum, you can eat and drink and sort of picnic under the pyramid though it might be a busy area here.
Utilise the Louvre’s Amenities
The museum offers several cafes and restaurants where you can grab a quick bite or enjoy a leisurely meal.
There are some great souvenir shops if that’s your thing. Additionally, there are rest areas and benches throughout the museum where you can take short breaks to rest and recharge and will need to as it’s tough on the legs to get around it all.
Conclusion
Visiting the Louvre can be a lifetime memory experience, I voted it as one of the most impressive man-made buildings I had ever seen at the time. With a well-planned approach, you can make the most of your time in the Louvre museum.
By preparing in advance, choosing the optimal timing according to peak hours, and focusing on the highlights you can see the best it has to offer without losing a full day. Use guided tours if you have more time as that will enhance the experience further, and check out other rooms beyond the well-known artworks.