# The Louvre — Paris, France

> The Louvre is the world's largest art museum and a historic monument in Paris, France. A central landmark of the city, it is located on the Right Bank of the Seine in the city's 1st arrondissement.

## Visitor facts
- Opening hours: Wednesday to Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM (Closed Tuesdays)
- Admission: €17 standard admission
- Free entry: First Friday evening of each month (6–9:45 PM) · Under 26 (EU) free always · Bastille Day (14 July)
- Address: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris, France
- Time needed: 3–5 hours
- Official website: https://www.louvre.fr/en
- Facts verified: 2026-06-30

## Highlights
- Mona Lisa — Leonardo da Vinci · c. 1503–1519
- Venus de Milo — Unknown Greek sculptor · c. 130–100 BCE
- Winged Victory of Samothrace — Unknown Greek sculptor · c. 200–190 BCE
- Liberty Leading the People — Eugène Delacroix · 1830
- The Wedding at Cana — Paolo Veronese · 1562–1563

## Famous works covered
- Mona Lisa (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/mona-lisa/)
- Liberty Leading the People (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/liberty-leading-the-people/)
- Venus de Milo (https://worldmuseumguide.org/artworks/venus-de-milo/)

## FAQ
**How long does it take to see the Louvre?**
A focused visit covering the main highlights — the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory — takes around 3 hours. To see the full museum would take days; the Louvre has 35,000 works on display across 72,735 square metres of gallery space.

**Where is the Mona Lisa in the Louvre?**
The Mona Lisa (La Joconde) is displayed in the Salle des États (Room 711) on the first floor of the Denon Wing. It hangs opposite Paolo Veronese's enormous Wedding at Cana. Follow the signs marked 'Mona Lisa' from the main entrance.

**Why is the Mona Lisa so small?**
The Mona Lisa is a poplar wood panel measuring 77 × 53 cm — roughly A2 poster size. Leonardo da Vinci painted it as a private commission, not as a public monument. Its worldwide fame stems from its theft in 1911 (recovered two years later), its technical mastery, and its reproduction in billions of images. Many visitors are surprised by its size.

**How do I get tickets to the Louvre and avoid queues?**
Book timed-entry tickets in advance on the official Louvre website (louvre.fr). On-the-day queues at the Pyramid entrance can be 1–2 hours. Ticket holders with timed slots skip the general queue. EU residents under 26 enter free. The Louvre is free for all visitors on the first Friday evening of each month (6 PM–9:45 PM) and on Bastille Day (14 July).

**Is the Louvre free for anyone?**
Yes — EU citizens under 26 enter free at all times. The Louvre is also free for all visitors on the first Friday evening of each month (after 6 PM) and on Bastille Day (14 July). Teachers and artists from EU countries enter free with proof of qualification.

**What are the must-see works at the Louvre besides the Mona Lisa?**
The Venus de Milo (Greek sculpture, c. 130–100 BCE) in the Sully Wing, the Winged Victory of Samothrace (c. 200–190 BCE) at the top of the Daru staircase, the Wedding at Cana by Veronese (the largest painting in the museum), Vermeer's The Lacemaker, and the monumental French Romantic canvases by Delacroix and Géricault in the Denon Wing.


Source: https://worldmuseumguide.org/museums/louvre/ — World Museum Guide, independent and ad-free.