Experience the best Louvre tours in Paris
The Louvre is a must when you’re in Paris! Explore its treasures with a guided tour inside or discover the surrounding parks and landmarks with your expert guide before entering the Louvre with your reserved-access ticket. All options include entry tickets and tips for navigating this incredible museum.
See ToursOur Louvre tour options
Louvre With Outdoor Walking Tour
Highlights:
- A guided walking tour outside the Louvre
- Tuileries Gardens and Cour Carrée
- Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel
- Entry ticket to the Louvre
Louvre Guided Tour With Small Group Option
Highlights:
- Guided tour inside the Louvre
- Reserved-access entry with your guide
- A curated visit to the best artwork
- Optional upgrade for a small group
Private Louvre Guided Tour
Highlights:
- Leisurely private guided tour for up to six people
- Reserved-access tickets to enter the Louvre
- Customizable visit to the must-see masterpieces
Welcome to the world’s best Louvre tours
Expert guides to inform and delight
Whether you opt for guided or self-led, you’ll meet a local who can share all the insider tips you need.
Make the most of your time
Get timed entry tickets for faster entry. Plus, our staff knows the best entry points to avoid the crowds.
Worry-free flexible booking
Our tours have a generous 24-hour cancellation policy. If something comes up, cancelling is stress-free.
Must-see masterpieces at the Louvre
There are many cultural treasures to explore at the beautiful Louvre Museum, but it’s impossible to see everything. With the help of the knowledgeable guides on our Louvre tours, you’ll see the top attractions in a single visit. The most recognizable painting in the Louvre — and ...
There are many cultural treasures to explore at the beautiful Louvre Museum, but it’s impossible to see everything. With the help of the knowledgeable guides on our Louvre tours, you’ll see the top attractions in a single visit. The most recognizable painting in the Louvre — and the world — is Leonardo Da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” in room 711, and your guide will tell you the secrets behind her smile.
Paintings aren’t all you’ll see on a guided Louvre tour. Visit the ancient Egyptian wing where you’ll find the monumental Great Sphinx located in room 338. But two of the most interesting statues are in the Greek antiquities section. It’s true they’re missing some significant body parts. The Venus de Milo in room 346 was discovered without arms and the Victoire de Samothrace in room 703 without a head, but they’re still stunning examples of Greek sculptures.
What to expect from our Louvre tours
Our Louvre Museum tours give visitors unique ways to access and explore the world’s largest art museum. Take our guided Louvre tour if you want a curated experience that covers all the top attractions and history housed within the museum. For this tour, we have two group sizes to ...
Our Louvre Museum tours give visitors unique ways to access and explore the world’s largest art museum. Take our guided Louvre tour if you want a curated experience that covers all the top attractions and history housed within the museum. For this tour, we have two group sizes to choose from — a regular experience for up to 20 people or, for an upgrade, a small group of no more than six. If you prefer a more customized experience, our private tour of the Louvre accommodates small groups of up to six people.
Before you step inside the museum, consider the art outside. Our outdoor Louvre walking tour lets you explore all the surrounding landmarks. You’ll stroll by the Tuileries Gardens, pass under the Arc de Triomphe Carrousel, and can even have your tour guide snap a picture of you “touching” the top of the Louvre Pyramid. The guided portion of this tour is outdoors, but your guide will tell you what to look for when you step inside the museum with your timed-entry ticket.
Visitor tips
The former palace of the kings of France is currently the largest art museum in the world, and you can explore it on your own or on a guided tour. A guided tour can help you navigate the museum’s four floors and find the open rooms that are worth visiting. We offer group and private ...
The former palace of the kings of France is currently the largest art museum in the world, and you can explore it on your own or on a guided tour. A guided tour can help you navigate the museum’s four floors and find the open rooms that are worth visiting. We offer group and private Louvre tours in English, and they’re both great for kids.
Even with a guided tour, you won’t avoid the crowds if you visit during peak hours. Consider going after lunch to beat the morning rush. Be sure to reserve a timed-entry ticket (we’ll do that for you if you take one of our Louvre tours). This will cut the time you spend waiting for a ticket, but you’ll still need to go through security. A guide can help keep you entertained while you get through the line.
The Louvre has two entrances, so you don’t have to go in through the glass pyramid like everyone else. The second is at the Palais Royal Musée du Louvre underground metro stop. There’s a lot of art to see in the Louvre Museum, so be sure to wear comfortable shoes. If you’ll be taking a self-guided tour, familiarize yourself with the visitor rules and what to see on every floor before you go.
Louvre tour reviews
Frequently asked questions about the Louvre
Can I take photos inside the museum?
Photos are allowed inside the Louvre. However, many pieces, including the Mona Lisa, have strict regulations that prohibit the use of flash photography.
How long does it take to visit the Louvre Museum?
We recommend spending 2-3 hours in the Louvre, which is about the amount of time you’ll spend on our guided Louvre tour. This is the ideal amount of time to see the highlights and snap photos.
How long is the line to enter the Louvre?
How long you’ll have to wait in line to enter the Louvre varies. Both the ticket line and the Louvre entry line currently require a wait of around 30 minutes each on busy days (around an hour). With your ticket from any of our group Louvre tours, you won’t need to wait in line to purchase your museum admission ticket. However, everyone will enter the line for the security screening. Don’t worry — our guides will direct you to a shorter access point to help save time and keep you entertained along the way.
Are there lockers inside the Louvre?
Yes, there are lockers available for rent inside the Louvre. Your guide can show you where to access them. The Louvre doesn’t allow visitors to bring large or bulky bags into the galleries.
Can I see the Mona Lisa up close?
There are some restrictions around how close you can get to the most recognizable painting in the world. The Mona Lisa is kept behind bulletproof glass, and you’ll see armed guards around the painting to make sure no one attempts to steal this masterpiece — it’s happened before! To view the painting, you’ll have to stand behind a velvet rope and a crowd of other museum visitors just trying to get a glance.
How large is the Louvre and how much of it does the tour cover?
The Louvre Museum is around 652,000 square feet and houses nearly 35,000 objects from different periods in human history. It’s impossible to see everything on your own or on a single group tour. You’ll spend about two hours in the museum on our guided or private tour, where your guide will show you the must-see paintings and sculptures across these sections:
- Ancient Egypt
- Greek antiquities
- Italian Renaissance
- French Romanticism
- Apollo Gallery
How much walking is there on the Louvre tours?
You’ll be doing about one mile of walking at a leisurely pace on our group Louvre Museum tours. Inside the Louvre, there is elevator and escalator access, but they’re periodically repaired and may be closed for service during your visit. There are short flights of stairs throughout the tour. If mobility is an issue, please let us know when booking your tour so we can look into other visitor amenities.
What are the museum's opening hours?
The Louvre Museum opens every day, except Tuesday and certain public holidays, at 9 a.m. It closes at 6 p.m. every Monday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday, but hours are extended to 9 p.m. on Wednesdays and Fridays.
General tour questions
What if it rains?
Our tours run rain or shine, so please check the local forecast to plan. In rare cases when we have to cancel for extreme weather, we’ll offer you the chance to reschedule or give a full refund. But the Louvre is a wonderful destination to visit in the rain since most of the sites are indoors!
When should I get there?
Plan to show up 15 minutes early for your Louvre tour or hosted experience. This helps you make the most of your time if you’re joining us for a private tour. And if you’re joining for a public tour, it’s essential to be prompt as you may not be able to catch up if you are late.
Can I use my voucher to enter the Louvre if I miss the tour?
Your vouchers are not your tickets. Your tickets will be sent to you by email, and you should have them accessible on your device before the tour.
Is there a separate redemption point?
There’s no separate redemption point. Bring your voucher to the meeting point, and give the guide or host your name. We’ll take care of the rest!
Are gratuities included?
Tips are always appreciated but never expected. They’re a great way to tell your guide they did an awesome job and show your appreciation.
What is the cancellation policy?
We understand plans change. We offer a 100% refund or the option to reschedule up to 24 hours before your tour start time. Cancellations within 24 hours aren’t eligible for refunds or rescheduling.
Is the tour wheelchair and stroller accessible?
Our outdoor walking tour of the Louvre grounds is accessible for strollers and wheelchairs. The Louvre museum itself is accessible, but elevators and escalators are periodically being repaired or closed for service and therefore can be unpredictable. So for our Louvre guided tour, we recommend booking a private tour if mobility is an issue.
Are audio guides provided or should I bring my own headphones?
We provide audio guides and headphones to the group in case you need them to hear your guide as you walk through the museum.