Louvre Museum
By Jessica Donev
Tickets
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A New Look at Cimabue
At the Origins of Italian Painting
For the first time, the Musée du Louvre is dedicating an exhibition to Cimabue, one of the most significant artists of the 13th century. This exhibition follows the restoration of the Maestà and the acquisition of a previously unseen Cimabue panel, rediscovered in France in 2019 and classified as a French National Treasure: Christ Mocked. Both paintings were restored in 2024 and serve as the exhibition's focal point, aiming to highlight the exceptional richness and undeniable innovation of Cimabue's art. The exhibition culminates with Giotto's magnificent painting, Saint Francis Receiving the Stigmata, designed for the same architectural setting as the Louvre's Maestà: the tramezzo, or rood screen, of the Church of San Francesco in Pisa, created a few years later by Cimabue's talented young disciple.
The Orphan by Luc Tuymans
The Louvre, a former palace turned museum, is adorned with decorations created by the greatest artists of their time. In May 2024, painter Luc Tuymans is invited to create a temporary work in the Rotonde Valentin de Boulogne, at the junction of the so-called "Sully" and "Richelieu" wings, at the heart of French paintings and near Flemish schools. A major contemporary artist, Luc Tuymans (born in 1958 in Mortsel, Belgium, and currently living and working in Antwerp) has consistently explored new forms while remaining rooted in the grand tradition of painting. His work has been exhibited in the most prestigious museums around the globe. For this first project in a Parisian museum, marking the return of the act of painting within museum walls, he will create an in situ temporary painting titled The Orphan. This four-panel work assembles three found images depicting the cleaning of a palette, embodying the museum's unique role as a school for artists, a space for copying, and creating works. While the cleaned palette also signifies a form of cruelty, it is joined by a fourth image, that of a lost work by the artist entitled The Orphan, which lends its name to this series.
Icons from Ukraine
This exhibition showcases a stunning collection of icons from Ukraine, available for public viewing from September 12, 2024, to June 2, 2025.
The Experience of Nature
Art in Prague at the Court of Rudolf II
The Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II (1552–1612), a prominent patron of the arts and sciences, was among the European rulers most passionately engaged with the study of nature. He called upon scholars and artists from across Europe to gather at his court, where they collaborated closely within the castle walls, transforming Prague into a genuine laboratory and a hub of experimentation, thriving under an environment of intellectual and religious tolerance. The first section of the exhibition will highlight this unique amalgamation of scientific and artistic insights concerning nature, particularly notable in the Prague court. This convergence was marked by a fresh, direct, and observational approach; artists became vital players in the initial developments of empiricism—not only crafting scientific instruments that were both visually appealing and innovative but also documenting the plant and animal world through their illustrations, substantially contributing to the cataloging of living species during that era in the natural sciences. Like their scientific counterparts, artists were intrigued by the concealed forces operating within nature, which they articulated through the medium of allegory. All were immersed in a shared humanist culture, primarily cultivated through literature and inherited from classical antiquity. However, the structured systems portrayed in earlier works faltered under the meticulous observation of an ever-changing and unpredictable natural world. The second part of the exhibition will reveal how this shared curiosity regarding nature's forms, prevalent among both artists and scientists, sparked a renaissance of artistic creation in Prague. New methodologies, such as plein air drawing, gained popularity, and this direct engagement with nature inspired artists to experiment with innovative materials and subjects, including those previously deemed unworthy of representation. A burgeoning appreciation for new artistic techniques emerged, aimed at mimicking the uniqueness of natural forms and reflecting the inherent instability in the life processes of living organisms.
LOUVRE COUTURE
Art and Fashion: Statement Piece
This exhibition explores the intricate relationship between art and fashion through captivating statement pieces. It highlights how contemporary fashion design engages with the historical works housed within the Louvre, emphasizing artistic influences across time. Visitors will see a selection of 65 contemporary silhouettes that enter into poetic dialogues with the remarkable objects in the museum's collections, particularly those from the . Through this approach, the exhibition aims to illuminate the endless interactions between historical decorative styles and modern design.
The Curator, the Coffin and the Beard
Current Exhibition
This exhibition focuses particularly on the funerary ensemble of Soutymès, the priest of the god Amon during the early 21st dynasty (1869 – 943 BC). It demonstrates how, based on documents compiled by Devéria, certain elements that had become separated over time could be reunited.
The Met at the Louvre
Near Eastern Antiquities in Dialogue
The Louvre’s Department of Near Eastern Antiquities presents ten significant works from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, which is currently undergoing renovations. This exhibition fosters a unique dialogue between these two renowned collections, displayed in the Louvre's permanent galleries. These special guest artworks, dating from the late 4th millennium BC to the 5th century AD, reveal fascinating connections with the Louvre’s own collection. In some cases, pairs of objects have been rejoined for the first time, while in others, pieces complement each other due to specific historical features of their respective collections. Representing regions from Central Asia to Syria, Iran, and Mesopotamia, this exhibit invites visitors to (re)explore these extraordinary ancient works of art and the timeless stories they convey.
Mamlouks
1250-1517
For the first time in Europe, the Louvre Museum presents a major exhibition on the Mamluk Sultanate (1250-1517), aiming to explore the full richness and breadth of this golden age of Islamic Middle East, contextualized within a transregional perspective. The Mamluks constructed their legend on their military prowess. This exhibition features nearly 260 works, with one third sourced from the Louvre collections.
A Chinese Passion
The Collection of Mr. Thiers
It is a relatively unknown fact that Chinese art is indeed well represented at the Louvre. The houses over 600 works of Chinese origin, primarily from the collections of Adolphe Thiers and Adèle de Rothschild, as well as from royal collections. Among these are true treasures. Recent studies have highlighted those from the Thiers collection, a journalist, historian, and major political figure of the 19th century (deputy, minister, president of the council, and finally president of the French Republic). The exhibition aims to reveal these exceptional works to the public, relating them to the historical, diplomatic, and cultural context of their creation and subsequent collection by Thiers. It shines a light on Thiers's previously lesser-known passion for China. It will feature over 170 works, predominantly from the 18th and 19th centuries: scrolls, album pages, engravings, prints, porcelains, jades, lacquers, ivories, bronzes, or wood inlaid with stones and mother-of-pearl... The first section will briefly present Adolphe Thiers, his unique perspective on art, his approach to collecting, and his passion for the Renaissance. The second section, forming the heart of the exhibition, will present the Chinese collection as a whole. Thiers, wanting to write about Chinese art, collected books about China, documents, and artworks simultaneously. The exhibition follows the major themes observable in his collection: ancient and contemporary history, images of China (landscapes, architecture, costumes), some key themes of Chinese culture (language, writing, literati), the 'three teachings' (Buddhism, Taoism, Confucianism), Chinese porcelain - of which he was a recognized expert, and finally, imperial art. In this last domain, the collection includes several masterpieces, including an exceptional scroll of Qingming Shanghe Tu created for Emperor Qianlong.
10 tips for visiting the Louvre Museum
Our Ticket Offers in Detail
Our ticket offerings are very extensive. Here you will get an explanation of the various options we offer.
Skip-the-line ticket
Don't waste your precious time in Paris by queueing for over an hour for entry to the Louvre! With the Skip-The-Line-Ticket, you get guaranteed entry in under 30 minutes and then have 2 hours to admire the artworks and the museum. You book your ticket online in advance for your desired period and save yourself the queueing! Optionally, you can book an audio guide, which is available in 5 languages.Louvre Tour
Discover the most significant works of the Louvre Museum on a guided tour, skip the queues, and stay as long as you like in the museum afterward. Admire the 'Venus de Milo', the 'Nike' of Samothrace and the 'Mona Lisa' and gain unique insights from your guide. The price changes depending on the group size. The smaller the group, the more your ticket costs.Mona Lisa without the crowds Tour
Discover the Louvre without crowds and experience the Mona Lisa in peace during an exclusive tour with last entry. Your knowledgeable guide will show you the most significant departments of the museum, from the foundations at the moat through classical Greek statues to masterpieces like the 'Venus de Milo' and Michelangelo’s Slaves. Enjoy an intimate experience with a maximum of six guests and immerse yourself in the art and history of the Louvre before saying goodbye to your guide.Louvre and Seine River Cruise
Secure your ticket for the Louvre and a one-hour cruise on the Seine. Located in the heart of Paris, the Louvre offers masterpieces from various eras like ancient Egypt, the Middle Ages, and the Renaissance, including the ’Venus of Milo’, the ‘Coronation of Napoleon I.’, and the ’Mona Lisa’. End your day with a relaxing cruise on the Seine and enjoy the view of Paris's most famous landmarks.Louvre Tour for Families
On this fun private tour, you'll learn about the impressive art collections of the Louvre and experience an energetic family adventure. Creativity and detective skills are required to answer questions about exhibits like the enigmatic ’Mona Lisa’. This keeps it exciting for the little ones, while the whole family discovers important works from around the world, from the Italian Renaissance to the Egyptian era to the French Revolution.Murders, Mysteries, and Scandals Tours
Dive into the past when the Louvre was a fortress and explore with your guide the medieval foundations and the ‘Great Sphinx of Tanis’. You will hear fascinating stories about murder, cannibalism, and scandals and pass by famous works like the ’Venus of Milo’, the Crown Jewels, and the ’Mona Lisa’, as your guide brings the dark secrets and history of the Louvre to life. After the tour, you can stay in the museum as long as you like and discover the remaining wonders on your own.Go City - Paris Pass All-Inclusive
With the ‘Go City Paris All-Inclusive-Pass’, you gain access to over 90 activities, attractions, and museums in the city at significantly reduced prices. Enjoy a variety of top attractions and tours, including a 1-day hop-on-hop-off bus tour, supported by a free app for planning your trip to make the most of your time in Paris. The pass is available for various travel durations and includes the digital Paris Museum Pass for visiting top-class museums and monuments such as the Louvre, Musée d'Orsay, and much more.Significant Artworks in the Louvre
It would hardly be possible to scrutinize all the historically rich artworks of the Louvre here. Therefore, we will instead provide you with brief insights into six masterpieces from different eras.Mona Lisa (1503)
Possibly the most famous painting worldwide: the 'Mona Lisa' by Leonardo da Vinci. This oil painting on thin wood is considered one of the greatest masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance – the rediscovery of ancient art after the end of the European Middle Ages. New perspectives and methods revolutionized painting at that time, for which the 'Mona Lisa' is almost archetypical. To this day, her mysterious gaze, seeming to come from every direction due to the painting technique, and the delicate smile captivate viewers. And this, although the painting itself has comparatively small dimensions. Aside from the 'Mona Lisa', you'll find many more works by Leonardo Da Vinci in the Louvre.Venus of Milo (2nd century BC)
The sculpture of the 'Venus of Milo', the Greek Goddess of Love, is considered one of the great masterpieces of Hellenistic Art. Its discovery was a stroke of luck. It was found in the 19th century by a farmer working in a Greek quarry. Alexandros of Antioch is believed to have created it in antiquity, but its exact origins and the original representation before it lost its arms can only be speculated about. Its incompleteness ironically adds to the fascination of the finely crafted sculpture. After all, it thus stimulates the imagination of its viewers.The Coronation of Napoleon (1807)
The painting known as ’Le Sacre de Napoléon’ is downright epochal in size, with a width of almost 10m (32.8 ft). This is not surprising, considering that Napoleon Bonaparte himself commissioned it to immortalize his coronation as Emperor of France. The French commander's personal painter, Jacques-Louis David, worked on the pompous neoclassical representation for over two years, focusing entirely on the autocrat Napoleon.Seated Scribe (between 2600 and 2350 BC)
The approximately 53cm (1.74 ft) high limestone statue, known as ’Seated Scribe’, is a historical highlight of the Louvre solely because of its age. The sculpture was rediscovered in the 19th century, but in reality, it is several thousand years old. Therefore, it is challenging to assign details to the history of its creation. The pose suggests that it represents a person from the royal house of the 4th or 5th dynasty of ancient Egypt.Winged Victory of Samothrace (circa 190 BC)
The famous sculpture with wings represents the Greek Goddess of Triumph - and yes, the sports brand is named after her. In the 19th century, the destroyed statue of the ’Winged Victory of Samothrace’ was recovered in the Ottoman Empire. Further parts were found over the years. Only the head and arms are forever lost. But it is precisely this incomplete form that has become an icon. Replicas of the Nike sculpture can be found at the top of the Berlin Victory Column, on the roof of the University of Art in Linz (Austria), or in miniature in countless merchandise shops.The Death of the Virgin (1605/06)
The painting of the dead Virgin Mary by the Italian master Caravaggio caused quite a stir at the time. It was rumored that a prostitute had posed as the model for Jesus's mother. Consequently, the picture was removed from the altar for which it was originally commissioned. Nowadays, Caravaggio is considered one of the pioneers of Roman Baroque painting due to his naturalistic image compositions. Moreover, the 'Death of Mary' demonstrates his significant mix of religiosity and profanity.The History of the Louvre
The museum itself is at least as significant as its exhibits. Its history can be traced back to the Middle Ages.The Origins
Many attribute the origin of the Louvre to King Francis I (1515–1547), although paintings were collected by previous French kings that are still on display today. In any case, Francis I was in close contact with Leonardo da Vinci, which is how some of his works entered the French collection shortly after his death. Until the French Revolution, however, the Louvre was not accessible to the public. In August 1793, exactly one year after the monarchy was abolished, the Louvre was reopened as the central art museum of the Republic. As its design suggests, the museum's iconic glass pyramid is comparatively modern. It was built at the end of the 1980s as part of a redesign process that lasted until 1999.The Louvre under Napoleon
Napoleon ordered art from his conquered territories to be transported to the Louvre, which was also greatly expanded under his rule. After the fall of his empire in 1814, the looted objects were returned to their countries of origin – including Italy, which regained the famous Greek sculpture of the ’Venus de’ Medici’. This gap was finally filled in 1821, following a large-scale announcement, by the ‘Venus de Milo’, which was intended to cover up this disgrace.New Locations of the Louvre
The Louvre is no longer limited to Paris. In 2012, a new branch of the museum opened in Lens, France. The Louvre-Lens building is very modern and was designed by Japanese architects. Since 2017, the Louvre has even had an international presence. The French and Saudi Arabian governments agreed to open the so-called Louvre Abu Dhabi, France's largest cultural project outside its borders.The Louvre as a Film Location
Undoubtedly, the Louvre building is nowadays also famous for repeatedly serving as a backdrop in blockbuster movies. It gained particular fame from the thriller ’The Da Vinci Code’, in which Tom Hanks unravels ancient conspiracies. In the action-packed ’Edge of Tomorrow’ with Tom Cruise, evil aliens hid in the Louvre. And in ’John Wick 4’ with Keanu Reeves, it was bad gangsters. But even before these, the Louvre has been the setting in numerous film classics, such as in ’Funny Faces’ with Audrey Hepburn.How to visit the Louvre quickly and efficiently
The Louvre can be very overwhelming. Filled with about 35,000 exhibits and many visitors, it is often not easy to navigate. We will give you tips for your quickest and most efficient self-guided tour.Use the entrance at the Arc de Triomphe de Carrousel
The lines that form at the Louvre can get very long. Therefore, use the entrance located at the Carrousel de Louvre. The Carrousel de Louvre is a shopping center where you can find many shops. Here you can shop, buy souvenirs, enjoy macarons from LaDurée, or satisfy your hunger. The entrance to the Louvre is located at the Pyramide Inversée. Even if you use this entrance, it makes sense to come with tickets that you have purchased online in advance! You can also walk directly to this entrance underground from the Métro. Just follow Exit Number 6.Organize your route in advance
The Louvre is big and you would need to walk an estimated 13km (8 miles) to discover all exhibits. If you stand in front of each exhibit for 30 seconds, you would need 6 weeks to see everything. So, make a plan in advance about what you want to see. Online, you can plan everything in advance. It is advisable to pick up a map of the museum at the entrance on site. Moreover, this map serves as a souvenir after your visit.The start of the route - Richelieu and Sully wings
We proceed chronologically, so we start at the Richelieu Wing of the museum. Go from the Near Eastern antiquities, through Egyptian antiquities to the exhibitions of Greek antiquities in the Sully Wing. During your tour in the Richelieu Wing, you will see the 'Codex Hammurabi' (1754 BC), the 'Ain Ghazal Statue' (7000 BC), and the great Sphinx (2600 BC). The original walls of the fortress that stood before the Louvre, the 'Venus of Milo' and the Roman copy of the 'Diana of Versailles' (305 BC) can be found in the Sully Wing. In the Sully Wing, you can also see the 'Death of the Virgin' and the statue 'The Seated Scribe' (also known as 'Scribe of Edfu').The best part about visiting the Louvre is: Even if you get lost, you still discover beautiful exhibits and will never get bored. Don't forget to keep looking at the incredible architecture over and over again. It's impressive how the once palace was built.
Your way to more highlights of the Louvre
Leave the Greek antiquities and go through the Roman department. The palace looks different here because this part was added by Napoleon III in the 19th century. On the way, you will discover the 'Nike of Samothrace' (103 BC). The presentation of this statue is very impressive when you look up the grand stairs towards it. Continue and follow the arrow leading you to the 'Mona Lisa'. Don’t forget to keep looking in all directions to see the palace as well as further exhibits as you pass by. You are in the Denon Wing. When you spot the 'Artemis', turn right to reach 'La Jaconde Mona Lisa' (1503). Directly opposite is a painting that covers the entire wall: 'The Wedding at Cana' (1563) by Veronese.The Denon Wing has even more to offer
After the 'Mona Lisa', you stroll past further paintings showing impressive emotionality. Also, 'Leonidas at Thermopylae' (1814) by Jacques Louis David. Right next to it is the even more famous work 'The Coronation of Napoleon' (1807), which you should view from a bit further away to let the dimensions of the painting have their full impact on you. Along the hall, you'll find 'Liberty Leading the People' (1830) by Eugène Delacroix. Up to this point, if you move quickly and don’t get sidetracked, you need no more than 2 hours.What you should pay attention to during your visit
The Louvre is really big, and even if you have been here before, it will be difficult to remember where you found your favorite exhibits. Be prepared that you might not discover everything you wanted to see and that you will see much more than you expected. It’s best to plan about 3 hours to explore the Louvre and expect to get lost. If you want to eat something, it's best to leave the Louvre. The cafés inside are unfortunately not so good and definitely overpriced. During a guided tour, a guide usually takes you to the most important exhibits within 2 hours. Afterward, you have time to explore the museum on your own and have a walk in the Tuileries Gardens. We at TicketLens definitely advise you to take a guided tour for your visit.Fascinating stories and tips on the exhibits
Naturally, the exhibits themselves are beautiful to look at. However, knowing the many stories behind them and the tips for the proper visit will make your visit even better.Codex Hammurabi (1754 BC)
The Codex Hammurabi is one of the oldest surviving collections of laws in the world, created during the reign of the Babylonian king Hammurabi in the 18th century BC. It consists of a series of laws and penalties engraved on a stone monolith, regulating various aspects of Babylonian law. The Codex Hammurabi is famous for its principle of 'an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth', which represents a principle of retribution and balance in the judiciary.The Palace of Sargon (8th century BC)
The Inner Courtyard of Khorsabad shows the remains of a gigantic city that was built in less than ten years in the late 8th century BC. At that time, the area that today makes up Iraq was part of the powerful Assyrian Empire. King Sargon II had a new capital constructed in Khorsabad near Mosul, but after the death of its founder, the city lost its status as capital. The statues you see in the Louvre were meant to protect the palace and represent the best of the world: a human head, the body of a bull, and the wings of an eagle. Gilgamesh, holding a lion cub like a cat here, was considered the strongest man in the world.Ain Ghazal Statue (7,000 BC)
This statue is over 9,000 years old. It's hard to imagine what happened on Earth before the Stone Age. This statue is exactly from that time. It is a simple creation that is flat and has hay under the hardened mud. We have no information about this statue, because there was no form of writing at that time. We do not know what the statue represents, or what it is supposed to say.The Medieval Fortress (1200 AD)
The Louvre was partly built over the fortress of Paris that stood here in the Middle Ages. Originally, stones from old buildings were reused for new buildings or bridges. However, the walls of the fortress underground were overlooked and were not discovered again until 1984. That is why they still stand today and can be viewed among others in the Sully Wing of the Louvre. The fortress made up about ¼ of the Sully Wing and its associated courtyard. This shows us once again the incredible dimensions of the Louvre.Liberty leading the people (1830)
‘Liberty Leading the People’ by Eugène Delacroix actually had a strong impact on culture and inspired Victor Hugo to write ‘Les Misérables’. The revolutionary atmosphere and the representation of freedom and uprising in Delacroix's painting reflect the themes and mood of ‘Les Misérables’. The connection between art and music shows how significant Delacroix's work is for artistic inspiration and how it can influence across different creative media.The main character of the painting is Liberty herself. She became so famous and the national figure of the French Republic and is called ‘Marianne’. She is on the 1, 2, and 5 cent coins, on every official document, on stamps, as a bust in almost every French town hall, and as statues in many squares.
The Coronation of Napoleon (1807)
You should view the painting from a distance to discover all the details. One of the figures in the painting is particularly interesting. In the painting, you can also discover the painter's mother, who watches the coronation from the middle of the lower balcony and stands in for Napoleon's mother. Napoleon's mother did not want to attend the coronation because she did not approve of the marriage between Josephine (Napoleon's first wife) and Napoleon.The painting was made twice, as someone wanted a copy when the painting gained fame. We know that the original is in the Louvre, since the painter made a mistake in the 1st painting. This error is slowly becoming visible and shows us that Napoleon was previously standing a bit further back. His 'shadow' can vaguely be discovered on the marble wall today. The second execution of the painting can be found in Palace of Versailles.
Mona Lisa (1503)
An unimaginable scandal occurred in 1911: The ‘Mona Lisa’ was stolen in broad daylight. An Italian handyman, who occasionally worked in the Louvre, took the legendary painting to bring it back to his homeland Italy. It was not until 1913 that the perpetrator was caught. Among others, Picasso was accused of the theft. The painting was found in a suitcase in a hotel room in Florence. The reason why the ‘Mona Lisa’ was stolen is its size. The handyman could easily stash it in his bag and smuggle it out of the museum. It became famous after the theft due to the scandal, as everyone wanted to see the painting that had been stolen.The Venus de Milo (2nd Century BC) and the Winged Victory of Samothrace (circa 190 BC)
There are several Roman copies of both statues. However, the originals are the most interesting for most visitors and researchers. For both, it is true that you must view them from the right angle for the statue to come to life. The ‘Venus de Milo’ is best viewed from the left side, at a ¾ angle. This way, you see the movement in her body that you do not see from the front. The ‘Winged Victory of Samothrace’ is the second Greek original, which was broken into over 100 pieces. It is best viewed from the elevation to the right of the statue. This way, you see how the wind blows through her clothing.Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Louvre Museum wheelchair accessible?
Are there audioguides?
Can I bring my luggage?
Are there guided tours?
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Am I allowed to make sketches?
Where can I find the Mona Lisa?
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