The Louvre: how to see it, and whether to go inside
The world's most visited museum began as a medieval fortress and was a royal palace for centuries before it opened to the public in 1793. The courtyard and the glass pyramid are free to walk around; a ticket costs €22 for visitors from the European Economic Area and €32 for everyone else, and it is closed on Tuesdays. Our Paris bike tour stops in the courtyard.
The Louvre at a glance
- What it is
- A former royal palace on the Right Bank, a museum since 1793
- Address
- Rue de Rivoli, 1st arrondissement
- Getting there
- Métro Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre (lines 1 and 7)
- Ticket
- €22 for EEA visitors, €32 for others; free under 18 and for EEA citizens and residents under 26
- Open
- Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday 9:00 to 18:00; Wednesday and Friday 9:00 to 21:00; closed Tuesday. Last entry one hour before closing
- On our tours
- Paris Bike Tour
Prices and hours checked on louvre.fr on 10 November 2026. They change, so check again before you book.
What you see with us
The Paris Bike Tour reaches the Louvre after Notre-Dame and the Hôtel de Ville. We stop at the spot with the best view of the palace and the pyramid, not just the nearest corner, and always leave time to take photos and look around on your own.
While you look, your guide tells the story of the place: how a fortress on the edge of the city became a palace and then a museum, why the pyramid caused an uproar, and the facts and anecdotes behind the most famous painting inside.
We don't go inside: entry isn't part of the tour. Seeing it with a guide first is a good way to plan the part of the museum you actually want to see.
- Sainte-Chapelle
- Notre-Dame
- Hôtel de Ville
- Louvre
- Grand Palais
What our guides tell you here
A fortress underneath
The Louvre started around 1190 as a fortress on the edge of the city, built by King Philip Augustus. Its foundations are still there, and you can walk around them in the museum's basement.
A palace the kings left
For centuries the Louvre was a royal residence. When Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles, the palace was left to artists and academies, and after the Revolution it opened as a public museum in 1793.
The pyramid that shocked Paris
When I. M. Pei's glass pyramid arrived in 1989, many Parisians hated it. Today it is hard to picture the courtyard without it, and it is the main entrance to the museum.
Famous because it was stolen
In 1911 the Mona Lisa was stolen by a man who had worked at the museum, and it was missing for more than two years. The headlines made it the most famous painting in the world.
Too big for one visit
The museum has tens of thousands of works on display across three wings. Nobody sees it all, so it pays to choose a few rooms and go straight to them.
Visiting the inside
- Book a time slot online. The museum recommends it, including for visitors who go in free, and it saves a long wait at the door.
- Prices. €22 for EEA visitors and €32 for everyone else. Under 18s go free, as do EEA citizens and residents under 26, with ID.
- Mind the days. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. On Wednesdays and Fridays it stays open until 21:00, and evenings are calmer.
- Plan your route. Pick a wing or a few works before you go in. Two to three hours is plenty for a first visit.
- Use official sellers only. The museum warns about fake websites and street sellers.
Combining it with the bike tour
Ride first and go in later, and you will know what you are looking at.
- Morning tour at 10:15, back at 13:15: book a Louvre slot for the afternoon, or for a Wednesday or Friday evening.
- Afternoon tour at 13:30 or 16:45: visit the museum in the morning.
- Avoid Tuesdays for the museum: it is closed.
“I absolutely enjoyed this. Alex was so patient with us. Showed us around and explained all the landmarks really well. Highly recommend.”
Paris Bike Tour
Three hours from the Eiffel Tower along the Seine to Notre-Dame and the Louvre. Small groups, guides in English or French. ★ 4.8 from 223 reviews on GetYourGuide.
About the Louvre
How much is a Louvre ticket in 2026?
€22 for visitors from the European Economic Area and €32 for everyone else. Under 18s go free, as do EEA citizens and residents under 26.
Which day is the Louvre closed?
Tuesday. It is open late, until 21:00, on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Do I need to book in advance?
Booking a time slot online is recommended, even for free admission, and it saves a long wait. Tickets are sometimes sold on site when it is quiet.
How long do I need at the Louvre?
Two to three hours for a first visit focused on a few highlights. A whole day is not enough to see everything.
Can I see the Louvre on a bike tour?
Yes. Our Paris Bike Tour stops in the courtyard by the pyramid, with time for photos and the story of the palace from your guide. Entry to the museum is not included.
Last updated 10 November 2026.