The Louvre is the world’s most visited museum and home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. It’s also huge — about 35,000 works on display — and queues can be long. A little preparation makes the difference between a frustrating day and a wonderful one.
This guide explains Louvre ticket prices in 2026 (including the new higher price for non-EU visitors), who gets in free, opening hours, how to book on the official website, which entrance to use, how to see the Mona Lisa without the worst crowds, and whether the Paris Museum Pass or a guided tour is worth it. Information comes from the official Louvre website; check it before your visit, as strikes and special closures happen.
Louvre ticket prices 2026
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult from outside the EEA (e.g. USA, UK, Canada, Australia, India) | €32 |
| Adult from the EEA (EU + Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway) | €22 |
| Under 18 (any nationality) | Free (with ID) |
| EEA citizens and residents under 26 | Free (with ID) |
| Audio guide | €6 |
| Guided tour or workshop | €12 (reduced €9) |
Source: louvre.fr, rates applicable from 14 January 2026.
Note for UK visitors: the United Kingdom isn’t in the EEA, so British adults pay the €32 rate.
Free entry to the Louvre
- Under 18s of any nationality, with ID.
- EEA citizens and residents under 26, with photo ID.
- Everyone on the first Friday of the month after 6 pm (except July and August), and on 14 July.
- Disabled visitors and one companion, plus some professional groups (teachers, journalists, ICOM members, job seekers) with proof.
Even with free entry, booking a free time slot is recommended — and it’s mandatory during busy periods (source).
Louvre opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | 9 am – 6 pm |
| Wednesday, Friday | 9 am – 9 pm (late opening) |
| Tuesday | Closed |
Last entry is one hour before closing. The museum is closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December (source). Strikes can also close it at short notice — for example, the Louvre announced a closure on Saturday 24 October 2026 because of public strikes, with automatic refunds for ticket holders. Always check the official site the day before.
How to book Louvre tickets
- Book on the official ticketing site (linked from louvre.fr) and pick a timed entry slot.
- Book early: morning slots, weekends and school holidays sell out. During some periods (such as 17 October – 1 November 2026) reservations are compulsory for all visitors (source).
- Arrive 15–20 minutes early for the security check.
- Keep your e-ticket on your phone and bring ID if you’re entitled to free entry.
Official slots sold out? Guided tours with reserved entry are often still available — compare Louvre tickets and guided tours.
Which entrance should you use?
- The Pyramid — the main and most famous entrance, with the longest security queues at peak times.
- Carrousel du Louvre — the underground entrance via the shopping gallery (from 99 rue de Rivoli or the Palais-Royal – Musée du Louvre metro station). Often quicker, and sheltered from the rain.
Whichever you choose, everyone with a timed ticket passes security; your slot determines when you can enter.
How to see the Mona Lisa (without the worst crowds)
- Go first thing: book the 9 am slot and head straight to the Mona Lisa in the Denon wing before the crowds build up.
- Or go late: Wednesday and Friday evenings are calmer.
- Follow the signs — the route to the Mona Lisa is well signposted from the Denon entrance area.
- Look around the room: facing her is Veronese’s huge Wedding Feast at Cana, the largest painting in the museum — most people miss it.
Top 10 must-sees at the Louvre
- Mona Lisa — Leonardo da Vinci
- Winged Victory of Samothrace — at the top of the Daru staircase
- Venus de Milo
- The Wedding Feast at Cana — Veronese
- Liberty Leading the People — Delacroix
- The Raft of the Medusa — Géricault
- The Napoleon III Apartments — lavish 19th-century state rooms
- The Egyptian Antiquities and the Great Sphinx of Tanis
- The medieval Louvre — foundations of the original fortress
- The Code of Hammurabi — one of the oldest written law codes in the world
Best time to visit the Louvre
- Wednesday and Friday evenings: the museum stays open until 9 pm and is calmer after 6 pm.
- Opening time (9 am): the best chance of a calm Mona Lisa room.
- Avoid Mondays and the day after a closure: with the museum shut on Tuesdays, Wednesday mornings and Mondays can be busy.
- Season: January to March and November are quieter; spring, summer and school holidays are the busiest.
Visiting the Louvre with kids
- Children under 18 enter free — book them a free time slot too.
- Keep it short: 1.5–2 hours with a “treasure hunt” list (the Sphinx, mummies, the Mona Lisa, armour, Napoleon’s rooms).
- Strollers are allowed; lifts serve most areas, but plan your route on the map.
- Run off energy afterwards in the Tuileries Garden next door.
How long do you need at the Louvre?
For the highlights, plan 2–3 hours. A full day lets you explore more wings, but most visitors are tired after 3–4 hours — it’s better to pick one or two themes. Download the official map or app before you go.
Is the Paris Museum Pass worth it for the Louvre?
See the full maths in our Paris Museum Pass guide.
The Paris Museum Pass costs €85 for 2 days, €105 for 4 days and €125 for 6 days and includes the Louvre, Orsay, Versailles, Sainte-Chapelle, the Arc de Triomphe and 50+ other sites (source). For a non-EU adult, the Louvre (€32) + Versailles (€35) + Sainte-Chapelle (€22) already come to €89 — so the 2-day pass pays off if you visit three or more big sites. You still need to reserve a time slot at the Louvre with the pass. Under-18s don’t need a pass at the Louvre, as they get in free.
Practical tips
- Bags: bring a small bag; large suitcases aren’t allowed, and security can take time.
- Food: there are cafés inside, but they’re busy; the Carrousel du Louvre has more options.
- Nearby: the Tuileries Garden, the Palais-Royal gardens and the Musée de l’Orangerie (Monet’s Water Lilies) are a short walk away.
- Getting there: metro to Palais-Royal – Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7) with a €2.55 Metro-Train-RER ticket (source).
- Plan your day: the Louvre is Day 2 in our Paris 3-day itinerary.
Plan the rest of your Paris trip
- Eiffel Tower tickets: prices and best time
- Paris in 3 days
- Where to stay in Paris — the 1st arrondissement is right next to the Louvre
- CDG to Paris
- Paris travel guide
Still to book: compare hotels in Paris and flights to Paris.
FAQ: Louvre tickets
How much is a Louvre ticket in 2026?
€32 for adults from outside the European Economic Area and €22 for EEA visitors. Under-18s enter free.
Do I need to book Louvre tickets in advance?
Booking a timed slot online is strongly recommended and is compulsory during busy periods. Walk-up entry can mean long waits or no availability.
What day is the Louvre closed?
Tuesday, plus 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Strikes can also cause closures, so check the official website.
Is the Louvre free on the first Sunday of the month?
No — that rule no longer applies. Free entry for everyone is on the first Friday evening of the month after 6 pm (except July and August) and on 14 July.
Is the Louvre free for students?
For EEA citizens and residents under 26, yes. Students from outside the EEA aged 18 or over pay the €32 rate.
How long does it take to see the Mona Lisa?
Expect 10–30 minutes in the queue in the room at busy times. Go at opening or on a Wednesday or Friday evening for shorter waits.
Is the Louvre included in the Paris Museum Pass?
Yes, but you must still book a free time slot for your visit.
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