The Louvre is the world's most visited museum, welcoming about 9 million people in 2025. A medieval fortress turned royal palace turned public museum, it holds treasures from ancient Egypt to the Renaissance, including the Mona Lisa. The past year has been eventful: a daring jewel heist in October 2025, a price rise for non-European visitors in January 2026, and plans for a major transformation. In the final Part 20 of World Landmarks, we cover it all.
The Louvre at a glance
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement, Paris |
| Origins | Fortress built in the late 12th century under Philip II |
| Opened as a museum | 10 August 1793 |
| Glass pyramid | Designed by I. M. Pei, opened 1988–1989 |
| Visitors | About 9 million in 2025 |
| Ticket (2026) | €22 EEA visitors, €32 non-EEA visitors |
| Closed | Tuesdays |
A short history
The Louvre began as a fortress built by King Philip II at the end of the 12th century to defend Paris; its foundations can still be seen in the museum's basement. Over the following centuries, French kings transformed it into a magnificent royal palace, until Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles (see Part 17).
During the French Revolution, the palace became a public museum, opening on 10 August 1793 with a few hundred paintings and art objects. Napoleon's conquests swelled the collection, and later acquisitions made it one of the largest museums in the world, with hundreds of thousands of objects, around 35,000 of them on display.
In the 1980s, President François Mitterrand commissioned the Chinese-American architect I. M. Pei to redesign the entrance. His glass pyramid, controversial at first, opened in 1988–1989 and became an icon in its own right. It was designed for about 4 million visitors a year, less than half today's numbers.
What to see
| Masterpiece | Where |
|---|---|
| Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) | Salle des États, Denon wing |
| Venus de Milo (c. 130–100 BC) | Sully wing |
| Winged Victory of Samothrace (c. 200–190 BC) | Top of the Daru staircase |
| Wedding Feast at Cana (Veronese) | Opposite the Mona Lisa |
| Napoleon III Apartments | Richelieu wing |
| Medieval Louvre foundations | Sully wing, lower level |
The museum is divided into three wings: Denon, Sully and Richelieu. Around 20,000 people a day pass through the Mona Lisa room, so go early or late, and do not spend your whole visit there.
Ticket prices 2026
From 14 January 2026, the Louvre introduced a higher price for visitors from outside the European Economic Area:
| Visitor | Price |
|---|---|
| EEA citizens and residents | €22 |
| Non-EEA visitors | €32 |
| Guided groups | €28 per person |
| Audio guide | €6 |
- Free for under-18s, EEA citizens and residents under 26, and disabled visitors with a companion.
- Free for everyone on the first Friday evening of the month after 6 pm (except July and August) and on 14 July.
- Book a timed slot at ticket.louvre.fr, even for free entry. The Paris Museum Pass also covers the Louvre.
Opening hours
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday, Thursday, Saturday, Sunday | 9:00 am – 6:00 pm |
| Wednesday and Friday | 9:00 am – 9:00 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
The museum is also closed on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. Last entry is one hour before closing. Strikes occasionally close the museum (as in June 2025), so check the official site on the day.
Entrances and getting there
- Metro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7) or Pyramides (line 14).
- Pyramid entrance: the main entrance, with separate lines for ticket holders.
- Carrousel entrance: underground, via the shopping arcade and car park, often quicker.
- Porte des Lions: ticket holders only, closes at 6 pm.
The 2025 crown jewels heist
On the morning of 19 October 2025, thieves posing as workers used a furniture lift to reach a balcony of the Galerie d'Apollon, cut through a window and stole French crown jewels in under eight minutes. Of nine pieces taken, Empress Eugénie's crown was dropped and recovered damaged; eight items, valued by the Paris prosecutor at about €88 million, were lost. Several suspects were arrested and charged in the following weeks, but the jewels had not been recovered as of mid-2026. The museum's director resigned in February 2026.
The future: Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance
In January 2025, President Macron announced a major renovation plan, including a new entrance on the eastern side of the palace and a dedicated room for the Mona Lisa with its own access. In May 2026 the Louvre announced the winning architecture team. The new entrance is targeted for around 2031.
Tips
- Choose a Wednesday or Friday evening for a calmer visit.
- Pick two or three departments rather than trying to see everything.
- Bags larger than 55 × 35 × 20 cm are not allowed.
- Free wheelchairs are available at the information desk.
Pair the Louvre with the Eiffel Tower (Part 1) and a stroll through the Tuileries Garden.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a Louvre ticket in 2026?
€22 for EEA visitors and €32 for non-EEA visitors, with free entry for under-18s.
Is the Louvre closed on Tuesdays?
Yes, every Tuesday.
Do I need to book the Louvre in advance?
Booking a timed slot online is strongly recommended for all visitors.
Were the stolen crown jewels recovered?
As of mid-2026, the eight missing pieces had not been recovered, although several suspects were charged.
Sources
- Louvre – Hours, admission and prices (official)
- Louvre – Map, entrances and directions (official)
- Louvre – Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance architecture competition (official)
- UNESCO World Heritage Centre – Paris, Banks of the Seine
- AP via ABC – Louvre hikes ticket prices for most non-EU tourists (Jan 2026)
- NPR – The Louvre will be renovated and the Mona Lisa will have her own room
World Landmarks: the full series
- Part 1: Eiffel Tower
- Part 2: Acropolis of Athens
- Part 3: Angkor Wat
- Part 4: Great Wall of China
- Part 5: Chichén Itzá
- Part 6: Stonehenge
- Part 7: Alhambra
- Part 8: Sagrada Família
- Part 9: Statue of Liberty
- Part 10: Christ the Redeemer
- Part 11: Neuschwanstein Castle
- Part 12: Tower of London
- Part 13: Forbidden City
- Part 14: Terracotta Army
- Part 15: Sydney Opera House
- Part 16: Pompeii
- Part 17: Palace of Versailles
- Part 18: Vatican and Sistine Chapel
- Part 19: Hagia Sophia
- Part 20: Louvre Museum (you are here)
Prices, opening hours and entry rules in this guide were checked against official sources in October 2026. They change often, so always confirm on the official website before you travel.
