About
The Louvre Museum stands on the Rue de Rivoli in the 1st arrondissement of Paris, in the Île-de-France region of France. Known in French as the Musée du Louvre, it is one of the largest art museums in the world and a historic monument in its own right, since its buildings began as a royal palace before the collection opened to the public in 1793.
What to expect
The museum's collection is vast, and most visitors come with a few works in mind. Two of the best known are the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo. Because the galleries are so extensive, many people find it helpful to choose a handful of departments or periods in advance rather than trying to see everything in one go.
- The palace architecture itself, which is part of the visit as much as the art
- Painting, sculpture and decorative arts across many centuries
- Its famous individual works, including the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo
Around the museum
The Louvre sits in the heart of Paris, so it pairs easily with other stops in the city. The Rue de Rivoli runs alongside it, and the nearby gardens and riverside walks make a comfortable way to balance a day of looking at art. Plan for a full visit to take a good part of the day, and allow time to rest between galleries.
To check current details before you go, contact the museum by telephone at +33 1 40 20 50 50.
