While you’re in Paris, take time out to visit the Musée du Louvre and discover the thousands of works of art on display.
Going to Paris without visiting the Louvre Museum may seem inconceivable. A must-see in the French capital, the Louvre showcases ancient civilizations and Western art from the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century. Beyond its many collections, it’s also an architectural masterpiece. As the seat of power for several decades, the Louvre invites you to discover the history of France, and more globally, the history of the world.
A brief history of the Musée du Louvre
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The origins of the Louvre date back to 1190. At that time, Philippe Auguste decided to protect Paris by erecting a fortified wall. Paris’ weakest point was the fortification’s junction with the Seine. It therefore seemed essential to build a castle there. And so, the Louvre was born.
Gradually, the Louvre lost its protective function and became the residence of the kings of France. In 1528, Francis I officially declared the Louvre his principal residence. After the Revolution, all the regimes of France resided there until 1870. The Tuileries housed the revolutionary committees of Robespierre, the Directoire and the Consulate. Following the revolutionary period, Napoleon moved in. After his defeat at Waterloo, it was the turn of Louis XVIII, Charles X and Louis-Philippe to stay at the Tuileries. The architecture of the Louvre is revisited with each new sovereign.
During the Third Republic, the Musée du Louvre was mainly occupied by state administrations. The art market was highly competitive at the time, and the Louvre experienced a number of difficulties, including the theft of the famous Mona Lisa in 1911. But thanks to numerous donations, the Louvre’s collections have grown to become a museum of international renown.
What to see and do at the Louvre?
The Louvre is home to thousands of works, each more exceptional than the last. But there are a few must-sees when you visit the Musée du Louvre. Generation Voyage has selected the museum’s six most impressive works for you.
The Mona Lisa
The Mona Lisa is, of course, the most famous work in the Louvre, and perhaps even in the world. Created by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, the portrait of Mona Lisa serves as a benchmark for artists the world over.
Every day, over 20,000 people visit the Louvre to admire this portrait, which conceals more than one mystery. The Mona Lisa is intriguing for its smile, its look, the identity of its model, and many other details. So, if you’re visiting the Louvre, stop by the second floor and look for answers to the riddles surrounding the Mona Lisa portrait.
The Venus de Milo
The Venus de Milo is a Greek sculpture dating from the Hellenistic period, over 2,000 years ago. Its name Venus derives from the fact that it represents the goddess Aphrodite, the goddess of love. According to Roman mythology, Aphrodite is called Venus. Milo refers to the place where the sculpture was discovered in 1820: the island of Milos in the Cyclades, Greece.
Like its present-day depiction, the Venus de Milo is said to have been found on the island of Milos without its arms. This gave rise to many questions concerning its transfer to France.
Liberty guiding the people
Representative of France, Liberty Guiding the People was painted by Eugène Delacroix in 1830. It is the centerpiece of the Galerie du Temps. In addition to its artistic aspect, this painting has a very strong political significance. It was inspired by the Trois Glorieuses revolution. Today, it serves as a symbol of the French Republic and democracy. Still very much in vogue today, it can also embody revolutionary ideals during demonstrations.
Hammurabi’s code stele
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The Louvre is packed with treasures. For example, you can admire the Code of Hammurabi stele. This is a Babylonian legal text dating back to 1750 BC. Standing over 2 metres high, you’ll be impressed by this stele. Found in Iran, it is the most complete legal text in the ancient Near East. In addition to the scriptures, you’ll see a sculpture depicting King Hammurabi facing the God Shamash, the God of the Sun. This represents his investiture with the sceptre and ring.
The Aïn Ghazal statue
The Louvre is home to works of art from all times and places. When you visit the Musée du Louvre, discover the Aïn Ghazal statue, the oldest sculpture in the building. This statue is over 9,000 years old. It was discovered at Aïn Ghazal in Jordan in 1985.
The wedding at Cana
A must-see work in the Musée du Louvre, The Marriage at Cana depicts Christ at a wedding feast. In this canvas, Paul Veronese paints the miracle of Christ. For this Venetian wedding, he transforms water into wine. The painter introduces biblical characters and contemporary figures into a sacred setting. This highly symbolic work is also impressive for its size. At 70 m², it is the largest canvas in the Louvre Museum.
How do I get to the Louvre?
Right in the center of Paris, the Musée du Louvre boasts a prime location. Located on Rue Rivoli, which runs through the capital’s first arrondissement, there are several ways to get to the Louvre:
- – Metro: one of the easiest ways to get around Paris. The Louvre-Rivoli stop is on line 1 or 7 and takes you directly to the museum;
- – RER: If you’re a little further from Paris, you may need to take the RER. If you take the RER A, B or D to Châtelet, you can then take the metro or walk about ten minutes;
- – Bus: Wherever you are in the capital, there are several bus routes to the Louvre Museum;
- – Other, more eco-friendly options are also available: rent a vélib (there are several stations next to the Louvre where you can park your bike), an electric scooter or take a walk and discover the capital’s treasures.
Once there, visit the Louvre Museum or the Tuileries Gardens.
Musée du Louvre opening hours and prices
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Opening days
The Musée du Louvre is open from 9am to 6pm on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays. On Wednesdays, Fridays and the first Saturday of the month, doors close at 9:45pm. Start leaving at 5.30pm or 9.30pm, depending on closing time.
If you want to avoid long queues, go to the Musée du Louvre as soon as it opens.
Closing day of the Musée du Louvre
The museum is closed on Tuesdays.
Musée du Louvre rates
Admission is €17 for people over 18. Admission to the Musée du Louvre is free for minors, residents of the European Union under the age of 26, disabled persons, jobseekers and history and/or art teachers. All you need to do is present the necessary supporting documents.
Good to know
The Louvre is a very large museum, so it’s important to be well prepared for your visit. Generation Voyage reminds you of the most important points:
– Remember to bring comfortable shoes, as you’ll be walking several kilometers during your visit. The Musée du Louvre is one of the largest museums in the world. But don’t worry, there are plenty of areas where you can take a rest.
rest.
– It would take more than four days to visit the Louvre in its entirety, spending just 10 seconds in front of each work. If there are certain pieces you absolutely must see, plan your itinerary in advance so you don’t miss a thing.
– The museum is closing some of its halls for maintenance work. Check in advance which rooms are closed to avoid unpleasant surprises.