You cannot visit Paris without walking past its glass pyramid. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world, and one of the largest. But before it housed the Mona Lisa, it was a fortress, then a royal palace. Its story is the story of France.
Here is what to know about the Louvre, its must-see works and a few tips to plan your visit.
Key takeaways
- The Louvre began as a fortress built around 1190, then became a royal palace.
- It opened to the public as a museum in 1793, during the French Revolution.
- The glass pyramid by architect I. M. Pei was inaugurated in 1989.
- Since January 2026, a ticket costs €32 for most visitors from outside the European Union.
From fortress to museum
Around 1190, King Philippe Auguste built a fortress to protect Paris. Over the centuries, kings turned it into a luxurious residence, until Louis XIV moved to Versailles in 1682. The palace then housed academies and the royal collections. In 1793, during the Revolution, it became a museum open to all. In 1989, the glass pyramid became its new main entrance: criticised at first, it is now iconic.
Masterpieces not to miss
| Work | What to know |
|---|---|
| « La Joconde » (Mona Lisa), Leonardo da Vinci | The most famous painting in the world, painted in the early 16th century. Expect crowds in front of the glass. |
| « La Vénus de Milo » | An ancient Greek statue discovered on the island of Milos in 1820. |
| « La Victoire de Samothrace » | A winged Greek statue towering over one of the museum’s grand staircases. |
| « La Liberté guidant le peuple », Delacroix | The painting that symbolises the 1830 revolution, showing Marianne raising the flag. |
| « Le Radeau de La Méduse », Géricault | A huge canvas inspired by a real shipwreck in 1816. |
Good to know: since 14 January 2026, an individual ticket costs €32 for most visitors from outside Europe. Entry is free for under-18s and the museum is closed on Tuesdays. Booking a time slot online is strongly recommended.
The Louvre today
The museum welcomes millions of visitors every year and struggles with overcrowding in some rooms. A major modernisation project, called « Louvre Nouvelle Renaissance », includes a new entrance and better visitor facilities. In October 2025, the theft of French Crown Jewels from the Galerie d’Apollon also reopened the debate on museum security.
Museum vocabulary
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un chef-d’œuvre | a masterpiece |
| une aile | a wing (Denon, Sully, Richelieu) |
| un tableau, une toile | a painting, a canvas |
| une sculpture, une statue | a sculpture, a statue |
| un audioguide | an audio guide |
| un créneau horaire | a booked time slot |
Going further
For more art and culture, read our articles on Émile Zola and the Impressionists and the symbols of France. To prepare a trip to Paris with a native teacher, try our French conversation course or the Live French Club.
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost to visit the Louvre?
Since 14 January 2026, an individual ticket costs €32 for most visitors from outside the European Union. Entry is free for under-18s. Check current prices on the official website.
What day is the Louvre closed?
The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Booking a time slot online before your visit is recommended.
When did the Louvre become a museum?
In 1793. Before that, the Louvre was a medieval fortress and then a royal palace.
What should you see at the Louvre?
The Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, Delacroix’s « La Liberté guidant le peuple » and Géricault’s « Le Radeau de La Méduse ».
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