Frequently Asked Questions

In several cases, yes. Under-18s always get in free. So do EEA residents under 26. Free admission also applies to visitors with disabilities (plus one companion), art teachers from EEA countries, ICOM and ICOMOS members, journalists with valid press cards, and French residents on income support or unemployment benefits.

On top of that, the museum opens for free on the first Friday evening of each month (after 6 p.m.) from September through June, and on Bastille Day, July 14. Even when admission is free, you still need to reserve a time slot online.

It's not mandatory, but it makes a real difference. Booking online lets you pick a time slot and walk past the ticket office queue. During peak season (April through August) and on weekends, the gap between having a booking and not having one can easily be an hour or more in line. If you're visiting on a Wednesday or Friday evening, advance booking is less critical since the crowds thin out after 6 p.m.

No. Tickets are tied to a specific date and time slot. They can't be modified, exchanged, or refunded once purchased. The only exception is if the museum itself cancels or changes the event you booked for.

At the ticket office you can pay with cash, bank cards, or French holiday vouchers (Chèques-Vacances). Online purchases are card-only. Groups with professional guides have separate invoicing arrangements.

Yes. Your admission ticket covers the permanent collections and all temporary exhibitions. For shows in the Hall Napoléon, you need to book a specific time slot, but there's no extra charge beyond your standard ticket.

Every Tuesday, without exception. It's also closed on January 1, May 1, and December 25. If a public holiday falls on a Tuesday, the museum stays closed anyway. Worth double-checking before you plan a Tuesday visit around a French holiday.

Wednesday and Friday evenings, after 6 p.m., tend to be the quietest. Early mornings on weekdays work well too, especially if you arrive right at 9 a.m. Monday is a solid choice because several other Paris museums close that day, which spreads the crowds around. Weekends and school holidays are the busiest — if you can avoid them, do.

Wednesday and Friday. The museum stays open until 9 p.m. on both days. After 6 p.m. the crowds drop off noticeably, which makes evening visits one of the best times to see popular works without fighting for a view.

Two to three hours works if you're focusing on highlights. Trying to cover everything in a single visit isn't realistic — the collection spans 73,000 square metres across three wings. Pick a few areas that interest you and save the rest for next time. Budget an extra 15–20 minutes at the start for the security check, lockers, and finding your way to the first gallery.

The Pyramid is the main entrance and the busiest. Three separate queues form there: one for visitors with online tickets, one for those buying on the spot, and one for disabled visitors and staff. If you already have a ticket, the Carrousel entrance at 99 Rue de Rivoli is typically faster — it connects underground and skips the outdoor queue. The Porte des Lions on the Quai François Mitterrand is the quietest option, though it closes at 5 p.m. and is shut on Tuesdays and Fridays. Membership card holders and groups enter through the Passage Richelieu on Rue de Rivoli.

An underground car park operates at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonier, open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. Visitors with a disability card can get reduced parking rates. If you're cycling, several Vélib' bike-share stations are within a few minutes' walk, and there are bike racks near the École du Louvre and the Porte des Lions.

Yes. The entrance at 99 Rue de Rivoli takes you through the Carrousel shopping area and into the museum underground. It's a good choice on rainy days or when the Pyramid queue looks long. You'll need a valid ticket or booking confirmation to enter.

Quite a lot, actually. The full ban list includes weapons and ammunition, sharp tools (craft knives, screwdrivers, pliers), blunt objects, flammable or explosive substances, aerosol cans, and electrical weapons. Bags larger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm are not allowed inside. Large amounts of food or drink are also banned. Animals can't come in, with the exception of guide dogs and assistance dogs.

Yes. Free self-service lockers sit under the Pyramid and at the Porte des Lions entrance. They fit items up to 55 × 35 × 20 cm. Oversized umbrellas go into the umbrella stands in the cloakroom area. Everything has to be collected before closing — the Porte des Lions lockers shut at 5 p.m.

Yes. The network is called "Louvre_Wifi_Gratuit" and it's available under the Pyramid and throughout the galleries. Each session lasts one hour, but you can reconnect as many times as you need.

No. Once you step out, your ticket is no longer valid and you won't be allowed to re-enter. The museum enforces this to manage crowd levels, so make sure you've got everything you need before going in.

Yes, every visitor goes through one. It's part of France's Vigipirate national security protocol, and there are no exceptions. Expect airport-style bag screening and possibly a brief wait. This is one more reason to arrive a bit earlier than your time slot.

Yes. Walking sticks, folding stools, pushchairs, baby carriers, wheelchairs, and a rolling chair are all available for free at the visitor assistance desk under the Pyramid. Bring a valid ID. The equipment can't leave the museum premises.

Yes, strollers are welcome. You can also borrow a pushchair or baby carrier for free from the visitor assistance desk under the Pyramid — just bring a valid ID. The tube lift at the Pyramid entrance is reserved for strollers, wheelchairs, and visitors with reduced mobility, so you won't have to tackle the escalators.

The Studio, on the ground floor of the Richelieu wing, has free drop-in activities for ticket holders (in French). The museum also runs family guided tours and hands-on workshops. For a self-guided visit, look for the visitor trails designed for families — they suggest routes through the collections that keep younger visitors engaged without dragging them through 73,000 square metres.

Yes. The Studio on the Richelieu wing ground floor has a dedicated baby space with a bottle warmer, a microwave, and a nursing chair. Baby changing tables are also available in most restrooms across the museum.

With young children, 90 minutes to two hours is a sensible limit. Museum fatigue hits kids faster than adults, and pushing past it usually means everyone has a bad time. Pick one or two wings, take breaks in the garden or under the Pyramid, and call it a win.

No. Food and drink are banned from the exhibition rooms. The dining options are all under the Pyramid, in the Carrousel, or out in the gardens. If you're planning a long visit, schedule a lunch break midway rather than trying to push through.

Throughout the museum, in every welcome area. The easiest ones to find are under the Pyramid. Most include baby changing tables.

Yes. The main Book and Gift Shop is under the Pyramid. Smaller counters are in the Denon wing and near the Hall Napoléon. You'll find art books, poster reproductions, postcards, jewellery replicas, and general museum merchandise.

Yes. They cover over 150 works and come in nine languages. Each device costs €6 and can be picked up inside the museum after the security check. You can rent up to six per person if you're visiting as a group.

Speak to the staff at the Help Desk under the Pyramid. They can check with security and file a report on the spot. Lost items are kept for a period and can be claimed after your visit as well.