About Louvre Museum Paris
History
Built in 1190, the Louvre Museum Paris history goes back to the time when it was intended to be a fortress. However, it was converted into a Royal residence later in the 16th Century. Built and rebuilt over the years, the Louvre Museum Paris architecture covers an area of almost 60,600 square meters today. The palace was later moved to Versailles by King Louis XIV, and the Louvre was converted into a centre for art academies that organised regular exhibitions of the works of its members.
According to the Louvre Museum Paris history, it was officially opened as a museum in August 1793 with a total collection of 537 paintings but was later closed because of structural concerns. It was again reopened by Napoleon with an expanded collection and a new name- Musée Napoléon. He continued to be the primary benefactor of the museum, enriching it with spoils from Italy, Prussia, Belgium, and Austria. After Napoleon, the Louvre Museum Paris went back to its original name and continued to expand. Today the museum holds a proud collection of ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, Egyptian antiques, paintings by the Old Masters, and crown jewels and other artefacts from French nobles.
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Architecture
Located on the right bank of the River Seine, the Louvre Museum Paris covers an area of almost 60,600 square meters and houses more than 400,000 objects making it the largest museum in the world. Architecturally, the museum is a stunning piece of work made completely out of cutout stone. It is a massive complex comprising wings and pavilions across four main levels. Although it appears to be one unified structure, it is in fact a result of centuries of modifications, additions, renovations, destructions, and restorations.
Located within the Louvre Palace, the Louvre Museum Paris was instituted in the 12th century and was put through several changes throughout the Middle Ages, until it was finally renovated in a French Renaissance style in 1546. The architect, Pierre Lescot was one of the first to apply pure Classical ideas to the structure making the Louvre Museum Paris architecture one of the most influential and greatest sources of inspiration of the 18th century.
Louvre Museum Collection
This is the most popular section among the Louvre Museum Collection, with nearly 5,500 paintings exhibited here. You can witness the works of some of the most renowned artists of all time including Michelangelo, Raphael, and Leonardo da Vinci. Some of the most famous paintings that you can see when you visit Louvre Museum Paris are the Mona Lisa, Raft of Medusa, and the Coronation of Napoleon, among others.
Considered to be one of the most comprehensive in the world, the Egyptian collection at the Louvre Museum Paris boasts more than 50,000 objects. You can get a deep insight into the way of life and culture of the ancient Egyptians with artefacts from the Nile Civilization that covers the period from 4,000 BC to the 4th Century AD.
Enjoy an extensive collection of Greek, Etruscan, and Roman antiquities when you visit Louvre Museum Paris. This particular department takes you back to Mediterranean history that dates back to the Neolithic era and continues up to the 6th century. This is probably the oldest Louvre Museum collection, a majority of which was inducted in the 16th century by the French royalty.
One of the largest sections in the collections department of the Louvre Museum Paris, there are nearly 25 rooms here. In each of these rooms, you can witness an exhibition of art and artefacts from early Near Eastern civilization when you visit Louvre Museum Paris. For structural convenience, the department has been segregated into three zones- the Levant, Mesopotamia (Iraq), and Persia (Iran).
Known for its richness with artworks that were created before 1850 and do not belong to the Etruscan, Greek, and Roman departments, this is an absolute must-see when you visit Louvre Museum Paris. This section houses the largest collection of French sculptures on the planet which includes Satan by Jean-Jacques Feuchère and Diana the Huntress by Jean-Antoine Houdon.
Among the most recent additions at the Louvre Museum Paris, the department of Islamic Arts was founded in 2003. It holds over 3,000 works from the Arabian Peninsula covering the period from the 7th to 19th centuries. Some of the most notable works that are housed here include three pages of the Shahnameh, the Plate with Peacock, and the Barberini Vase.
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Enjoy the sight of exquisite tapestries, artefacts, ceramics, stained glass, and much more at the Decorative Arts department when you visit Louvre Museum Paris. The collection here is from the period that covers the Middle Ages until the mid-19th century. Some of the most interesting exhibits in this section include Giambologna's bronze Nessus and Deianira, the coronation crown of Louis XIV, and Napoleon III's apartments.
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With nearly 1,40,000 pieces in the catalogue of the Louvre Museum Paris, this department holds the largest collection of drawings in the entire world. However, as most of the pieces are not on display, it is one of the lesser-known sections at the museum. The collections here are arranged in three neat zones- the core Cabinet du Roi, royal copper printing plates, and the donations of Edmond de Rothschild.
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Things to See Inside the Louvre Museum
Explore Louvre Museum Paris to come across the most famous painting of all time, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci. In fact, for many visitors, the only reason to visit the museum is to get a glimpse of this masterpiece. The woman portrayed in the painting is believed to be Lisa Gherardini, wife of a silk merchant in Florence, Italy, whose enigmatic smile fills a sense of mystery in the work. It was created by da Vinci in 1503 and today graces the walls here in extra layers of plexiglass.
Created by Paolo Caliari in 1563, this painting is among the best things to see inside Louvre Museum Paris. Spanning almost 6 meters in height by 10 meters in width, this is also the museum’s largest painting that covers an entire wall of the gallery from floor to ceiling. The work was initially created with the intention of decorating a refectory wall of a monastery in Venice. You can witness the portrayal of a biblical wedding scene held at Cana in Galilee when Jesus Christ performed the miracle of turning water into wine.
You will find this exquisite piece in the Galerie des Antiques when you explore Louvre Museum Paris. This beautiful 19th-century gallery is garbed in red marble with the Vénus de Milo, also known as Aphrodite holding pride of place here. Created around 100 BC, you can witness a style that reflects the late Hellenistic Period that has amazed the art world ever since it was discovered on the Greek Island Milos in 1820.
Considered to be a masterpiece of Hellenistic art, this massive sculpture is a sight to behold. Explore Louvre Museum Paris and get captivated when you turn the corner at the top of the grand Daru Staircase. Witness the stance of courage of the winged Goddess of Victory (Nike) on a ship as she leads the vessel into stormy waters. The piece was created around 190 BC as a religious offering for naval victory and was found on the island of Samothrace.
This majestic painting was created by Jacques-Louis David after being commissioned by Napoleon I himself. After proclaiming himself emperor in May 1804 following stupendous military achievements in Egypt and Italy, the grand coronation ceremony was conducted. What sets the ceremony apart from others is that Napoleon crowned himself facing a congregation as opposed to being crowned by the Pope, a sharp statement underlining his independence.
Depicting one of the most notable events in the history of France, the uprising of July 1830, this is one of the most graphic representations of the period. Explore Louvre Museum Paris to witness this masterpiece by Delacroix where the values of the Revolution of 1789 and the ideal of popular sovereignty are explicitly highlighted. Liberty here is depicted by a strong bare-chested lady that explains her lineage to a Classical Greek goddess.
Enjoy this charming work of art placed in the cosy and sunlight-filled Galerie Michel-Ange when you visit Louvre Museum Paris. Inspired by Ovid's Metamorphoses which retells the mythological story of Cupid and Psyche, this sculpture portrays Psyche in a sleepy trance after inhaling a forbidden potion. Cupid is seen gently approaching Psyche intending to kiss her when she wakes up holding Cupid in a languid embrace. The mesmerizing piece has captured this tender moment exquisitely making it one of the loveliest things to see inside Louvre Museum.
Vermeer created this masterpiece around 1669 or 1670 which was dubbed to be the most beautiful painting in the world by Renoir. The artwork is also symbolic of moral and religious sentiments of the time as it features a little book in the forefront which is most likely a Bible. The simple scene that the painting portrays is one from everyday life where a young woman, many believe to be Vermeer’s wife herself, is shown intent in her lacemaking.
Commissioned by King Louis XIV for the Château de Marly horse pond, this monumental work of art was created between 1739 and 1745. Housed in the Louvre Museum Paris, this sculpture is a larger-than-life image of two horses who are restrained by grooms. It is thought that the sculptor Guillame Coustou was inspired by the ancient Roman statues that were found in front of the Quirinal Palace in Rome. These old structures depicted demigods Castor and Pollux making an earnest attempt at taming their horses.
Plan Your Visit to The Louvre
Wednesday to Monday: 9 AM to 6 PM
Last time of entry: 5:30 PM
Louvre Museum Paris remains closed on Tuesdays, January 1, May 1 and December 25.
Cloakroom: Free self-service lockers are available.
Free Wi-Fi: You can use this under the Pyramid and in the exhibition rooms.
Phone Chargers: Avail these under the Pyramid.
Information Desks: Two of them located under the Pyramid.
Toilets: Access toilets in multiple areas of the museums including the welcome area under the Pyramid.
Car Park: You can use the underground car park at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier
Audio Guide: Available in 9 languages.
Lost & Found: You can seek help at the Help Desk help or fill out a report to notify the Lost & Found team.
By Metro: One of the easiest and cheapest ways to reach Louvre Museum Paris, you can take a train on Line 1 from Arc de Triomphe and reach it in 20 minutes.
By Bus: You can avail a number of bus services from different parts of the city including the CDG airport and Arc de Triomphe. There are hourly services from each of these points and it will take you around 15 minutes to reach.
By Car/Bike: This is the fastest way to reach Louvre Museum Paris from anywhere in the city. You can take a taxi or rent a bike that will reach you to the very gates of the museum.
The best time to visit the museum is during the early mornings and late evening hours around 3 PM, just before the museum closes. You will find the least crowds during these times and can explore Louvre Museum Paris in peace. It is also a good idea to visit the museum in the evenings of Wednesdays and Fridays as the museum opening hours on these days extend until 9:45 PM.
FAQs
What is the Louvre?
The Louvre Museum Paris is one of France’s most iconic buildings and a very popular attraction among tourists from all across the world. It is the biggest museum on the planet that houses almost 400,000 objects. It relays the tale of the country’s rich culture, heritage, and history apart from holding some of the rarest pieces of art and artefacts. The Louvre Museum Paris also houses the ultimate work of art, the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, its most prized possession. Apart from this, you can see popular works of art by famous artists like Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Eugène Delacroix.
Do I need tickets to visit Louvre?
Yes, you need entrance tickets to visit the Louvre Museum Paris if you are above the age of 18. Entry for visitors below 18 years of age as well as teachers, artists, disabled persons, etc. is free. On Fridays, entry here is free for all aged below 26 years.
Can I purchase tickets to the Louvre online?
Yes, you can purchase tickets to the Louvre Museum Paris online and at a discount. To avoid long queues and a hassle free booking experience, it is highly recommended to book tickets online.
Why is the Louvre important?
The Louvre Museum Paris is the biggest museum in the world and also the national museum of France. It is an extremely important structure and one of the most-visited edifices in the country as it preserves a mind-boggling collection of artwork and artefacts from a period that ranges from ancient civilization to the middle of the 19th century. It is also the proud home of the world-famous painting The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci apart from notable works by several renowned artists like Michelangelo, Rembrandt, Vermeer, and Eugène Delacroix. Besides this, the glass pyramid which is also the main entrance to the museum and the Inverted pyramid which is a part of the Grand Louvre plan.
Where is the Louvre Museum located?
The Louvre Museum is located on Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France, by the banks of the River Seine and is housed within the grand Louvre Palace.
You can also visit the famous Louvre Museum in Abu Dhabi.
What are the Louvre Museum timings?
The Louvre Museum Paris is open from Wednesday to Monday between 9 AM and 6 PM. It remains closed every Tuesday as well as some major worldwide holidays such as Christmas Day (December 25), New Year’s Day (January 1), and International Labour’s Day (May 1).
What is the best time to visit the Louvre?
The best time to visit Louvre Museum Paris is during the early mornings and late evening hours around 3 PM just before the museum closes. You will find the least crowds during these times and can explore the museum at peace. It is also a good idea to visit the museum in the evenings of Wednesdays and Fridays as the museum opening hours on these days extend until 9:45 PM. Visiting the place at night not only gives you a magical experience, it also remains relatively free of large crowds and school groups.
How old is the Louvre Museum?
The Louvre Museum Paris was originally built around the late 12th and early 13th centuries. However, after constant destructions and reconstructions, it was officially opened in August 1793.
What can you see inside the Louvre?
Inside the Louvre Museum Paris, you can see a mesmerizing collection of artworks and artefacts. Some of the most important displays that you can see here include the Mona Lisa, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, The Venus de Milo, The Raft of the Medusa, Liberty Leading the People, The Coronation of Napoleon, Sleeping Hermaphroditus, The Dying Slave and the Rebellious Slave, and Grande Odalisque by Ingres, among others. Louvre Museum Paris is segregated distinctly into various sections- from Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities to Egyptian antiques, Islamic Art, Sculptures, and Decorative Arts.
How many artworks are on display at the Louvre in Paris?
There are nearly 35,000 works of art that are on display at the Louvre Museum Paris in an area spanning over 60,600 square meters. Some of the most important displays that you can see here include the Mona Lisa, The Winged Victory of Samothrace, Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, The Venus de Milo, The Raft of the Medusa, Liberty Leading the People, The Coronation of Napoleon, Sleeping Hermaphroditus, The Dying Slave and the Rebellious Slave, and Grande Odalisque by Ingres, among others.
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