Explore everything the Louvre has to offer on your next trip to Paris with our helpful guide!
A trip to the Louvre, located on the right bank of the Seine in Paris’ 1st arrondissement, is one of the highlights of any adventure to the City of Light. With over 9.6 million visitors last year, the Louvre is far and away the most visited museum in the world, surpassing the likes of the MoMA in New York, the museums of Vatican City, and the National Museum of China in Beijing. Since its opening in 1793 one year after the fall of the old French monarchy, the Louvre has housed some of the most beautiful and world-renowned pieces of art within its walls. Let’s take a closer look at what you should expect when you find yourself in front of the glass pyramid!
The Curatorial Departments
The collection on display at the Louvre is comprehensive, covering a wide array of styles and time periods throughout human history. The permanent display is separated into 8 departments:
- Paintings
- Egyptian Antiquities
- Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
- Near Eastern Antiquities
- Sculptures
- Decorative Arts
- Islamic Art
- Prints and Drawings
With featured exhibitions as well as the Carrousel and Tuileries Gardens on display, you should plan for a long stay at the museum to truly experience everything it has to offer.
Top Sights at the Louvre
While you should make an effort to see everything at the Louvre, several pieces deserve special mention as a must-see.
- Venus de Milo: a Hellenistic sculpture depicting the Greek/Roman goddess of love, the armless beauty is an iconic sculpture that has been housed in France since 1821.
- Liberty Leading the People: an enduring symbol of French freedom with the woman known in France as Marianne leading the troops to liberty. It is much larger than you might think from pictures at 8×10 feet!
- The Coronation of Napoleon: commissioned by Napoleon himself, French history buffs will recognize several key figures from the Napoleonic era within the piece.
- Mona Lisa: no trip to the Louvre would be complete without seeing the most famous painting in the world!
Before You Go
Admission tickets to the Louvre must be purchased online before you visit – you won’t be able to buy tickets at the door. The museum is normally open Wednesday through Monday from 9 am to 6 pm, closed Tuesdays and French national holidays. The best ways to get there are by taxi or by taking the Métro to the Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre station on lines 1 and 7, or Pyramides station on line 14.
The Louvre is a massive museum and it’s easy to get tired during your tour, so don’t forget to eat, get plenty of rest, and wear comfy shoes before you visit!
Explore the World with AESU!
Are you ready to plan an adventure of a lifetime? AESU offers unique, thrilling travel programs for college students and young professionals at affordable rates. Each trip is action-packed and informal—designed just for people your own age. We are also able to design custom tours just for your group.
Looking to travel next year? Experience our brand-new domestic tours with beautiful destinations such as the California Wine Country, Nashville Music City, The Wild Wild West, and Outdoor Wonderland – British Columbia!
2021 tour dates are now available! If you have any questions or want help booking your next adventure, please contact AESU by calling 800-638-7640, or fill out the contact form found on our website. Follow AESU on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Pinterest.