The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world — and one of the most daunting when you don’t know where to start. Good news: from our apartment on the rue de Rivoli, it’s a five-minute walk, and that changes everything. Here’s how to visit it like an insider: without the crowds, without the fatigue, going straight to what matters.
The largest museum in the world
A former palace of the kings of France, the Louvre unfolds miles of galleries and tens of thousands of works, from Antiquity to the 19th century. Trying to “see everything” is a beginner’s mistake: better to choose two or three wings, take your time, and come back. With a home right nearby, you can split the visit over several mornings — the Parisians’ secret.
Tickets and opening hours: our tips
Book your time slot in advance on the official site louvre.fr: entry is by timed ticket, and they sell out fast. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and opens late on Friday evenings — the best time, when the crowds thin out. Insider tip: entering via the Carrousel passage (the shopping arcade) or the Porte des Lions often avoids the long pyramid queue.
The masterpieces not to miss
If you only see a few: Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace at the top of its staircase, Delacroix’s Liberty Leading the People, and the sumptuous Napoleon III apartments. Tip: head straight to the Mona Lisa at opening time, before the crowds, then explore the rest at your own pace.
The pyramid, by day and by night
I. M. Pei’s glass pyramid, at the centre of the Cour Napoléon, has become a symbol of Paris. By day it plays with the light and the palace facades; by night, lit up, it offers one of the city’s finest sights — and access to the courtyard is free, even without a ticket for the collections.
Beyond the collections
The Louvre doesn’t stop at its galleries. Continue with the Tuileries garden, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, or a walk along the Seine to admire the palace facade from the quays, magnificent at sunset. Enough to turn a museum visit into a real Parisian day.
Five minutes from your apartment
The real luxury is proximity. From our apartment on the rue de Rivoli, you’re at the Louvre in five minutes: you can go at opening time, come home for lunch facing the Tuileries, and return the next day for another wing. The best way to savour the world’s largest museum, without rushing or tiring.
Frequently asked questions
Which day is the Louvre closed?
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. It opens late on Friday evenings, ideal for avoiding the crowds. Check the day’s hours on louvre.fr.
Do you need to book a ticket in advance?
Yes, strongly recommended: entry is by timed slot and online tickets sell out, especially in high season. Book on the official website.
How much time should you allow for the visit?
Allow 2 to 3 hours for the highlights. Staying nearby lets you split it into several short visits, far more enjoyable than doing it all at once.
Fancy visiting the Louvre at your own pace, a five-minute walk away? Discover our apartment on the rue de Rivoli. And to explore the surroundings, read All of Paris on foot from the rue de Rivoli.
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