As the last visitors exit and the lights are dimmed, the Louvre transforms from a bustling tourist destination into an ethereal world of shadows and stillness.
At night, the corridors and halls of this iconic Paris museum take on a magical, almost haunting beauty.
As one of the world’s largest, most visited museums and home to legendary works, the Louvre by day seems to pulsate with the energy of countless visitors.
But after hours, the museum belongs solely to the spirits of the art within its walls.
Visiting the Louvre Museum at night offers a new and intimate perspective on the priceless art spanning thousands of years of human creativity and ingenuity.
Devoid of the distraction and commotion of heavy foot traffic, you can enjoy a tour of the museum and legendary masterpieces at night.
Why Visit the Louvre at Night?
A Louvre Museum night tour is one of the best ways to experience the artistic excellence of the museum.
There are several reasons why visiting the Louvre Museum at night is a must; here are some of them:
- Fewer crowds: The Louvre Museum has fewer visitors at night than during the day, making it more convenient for guests to explore.
Fewer crowds at night allow visitors to experience the museum more fully, an enriching experience that is nearly impossible during the day.
- A closer look at the Mona Lisa: The Mona Lisa is the most famous artwork in the Musee du Louvre.
A night tour of the Louvre Museum lets visitors have a closer look at the Mona Lisa and other collections.
Sometimes, with countless visitors around, guests cannot even glimpse the Mona Lisa, making spending the night at the Louvre Museum a great idea.
- Night-time beauty: The Louvre Museum at night looks magnificent due to the lightning accentuating its features.
- Photography: Lesser crowds and the well-lit ambience of the Lourve Museum at night allow visitors to click aesthetic pictures at night.
Clicking pictures at the Louvre with no other guest photobombing is impossible during the day.
Therefore, the Louvre Museum night tour is perfect for Instagrammers, bloggers, and photographers.
Louvre Museum at Night Ticket
The Louvre Museum at night is a must-do activity for all art lovers, but please note that you can explore it at night only on a private tour.
The three-hour private tour is available only on Thursdays at 6.30 pm (half an hour after the museum closes to the general public), and a maximum of six members participate.
An art expert will lead this activity, and your guide can teach you about the works of Italian artists such as Raphael, da Vinci, and Caravaggio.
The Louvre Museum Private tour includes:
- Skip the line tickets and a VIP private tour of the Louvre Museum at night.
- Enter four hours before closing time.
- A licensed and experienced guide.
Tour price
The Louvre Musuem tour prices start from €275 for two adults and vary according to the group size.
| Group Size | Group Price |
|---|---|
| Group of 2 | €275 ($300) |
| Group of 3 | €615 ($670) |
| Group of 4 | €820 ($895) |
| Group of 5 | €725 ($790) |
| Group of 6 | €870 ($950) |
What Makes the Louvre Museum at Night Different from the Day
The Louvre Museum becomes almost mystical once the general public departs. The lack of crowds makes seeing some of the most famous and popular works far easier.
Without the noise and rush of thousands of daily visitors, one can truly appreciate the former French royal palace’s enormous scale and opulence.
The serene ambience, faint footsteps, and the emptiness of the Louvre Museum at night make you feel like the magnificent artworks have temporarily become your own.
One can spend hours with a single painting, noticing delicate nuances that are impossible to see during crowded daytime hours.
Some areas, like the giant glass pyramid bathed in moonlight, shine with a new allure and mystery, and shapes and textures are harder to discern through the darkness.
The halls feel vast when wandering alone, giving you a sense of their grandeur. Imagine the kings who once roamed them and how artists like Vermeer or Goya might explore them today.
Navigating between galleries past and present elicits an entirely different energy and experience without tourists clogging passages or jostling around renowned works.
The Louvre Museum at night reveals its full architectural glory after dark, a showcase for obscure and famous masterpieces that should be noticed.
Louvre Museum at Night Itinerary
Plan your Louvre Museum night tour with this itinerary to make the best of your Louvre Museum night.
Start your Louvre Museum night tour at the Greek Art Gallery, where you can examine the masterpieces, including Winged Victory and Venus de Milo.
Now, head to the Italian Gallery to see the art pieces by Veronese and the famous da Vinci.
You may also want to check out the French paintings from the 19th century, like Delacroix’s Liberty Leading to the People.
Now, you can move to the famous Italian sculptures of Canova and Michelangelo to make the most of your Louvre night at the Museum.
Practical Things to Know Before Visiting the Louvre Museum at Night:
Planning your Louvre Museum’s night tour can be confusing at first, especially if you are a first-timer.
Here are some valuable information to help you plan your visit to the Louvre Museum at night.
Timings
The Louvre Museum’s opening hours are from 8 am to 6 pm on all days except Tuesdays.
On Fridays, the Louvre Museum offers extended hours and closes at 9.45 pm, while a few galleries start to close around 9.30 pm.
How to reach the Louvre Museum
You can reach the Louvre Museum from different locations and by different modes of transportation. Here is how you can reach the Louvre Museum at night.
- By Metro: Palais-Royal / Musee du Louvre is the closest metro connected by lines 1 and 7
- By Bus: Bus No. 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, and 95 will take you to the Louvre Museum.
- By Car: The Museum lies in the 1st arrondissement. Get Direction.
There is an underground car park at 1 Avenue du General Lemonier.
You can access the Louvre museum from here via the Galerie du Carrousel entrance.
- By Bicycle: You can rent bikes around the city to visit the Musee du Louvre.
- By Taxi: Taxis can drop you at the Carrousel roundabout, and the taxi pickup is at the Place Andre Malraux.
Louvre Museum Entrances
The Louvre Museum has several entrances. Here are the entrance options for your Louvre Museum night tour.
- Pyramid Entrance: The Pyramid is the Louvre Museum’s main entrance for individual visitors.
- Carousel Entrance: The Carrousel Entrance remains open for all visitors and is located at 99 rue de Rivoli, 75001, Paris.
- Porte Des Lions: the Porte Des Lions remains closed on Fridays, and visitors with large bags will be refused entry.
Tips for Visiting the Louvre Museum at Night
Here are some visitor tips to ensure a hassle-free Louvre Museum night tour:
- Check the Museum’s Night Opening Hours: The Louvre Museum night tour hours may vary, so check the Museum hours before visiting.
- Purchase tickets in advance: Purchase the Louvre Museum night tour tickets in advance to save time.
- Photography Rules and Etiquettes: The Louvre Museum may levy photography rules, which may vary for different galleries.
Respect the photography rules to capture the best photos during your trip to the Louvre Museum at night.
Contents
FAQs About visiting the Louvre Museum at Nigth
Can I visit the Louvre at night?
You can visit the Louvre Museum at night. It typically closes at 6 pm, except on Fridays, when it closes at 9.45 pm.
Is the Louvre open at night?
The Louvre Museum closes at 6 pm on all days except Tuesdays and Fridays. It remains closed on Tuesdays and at 9.45 pm on Fridays.
For visitors with the Louvre Museum night private tour ticket, the museum is open from 6.30 pm to 9.30 pm on Thursdays.
Are there guided tours of the Louvre at night?
Yes, guided tours are available at night at the Louvre Museum.
These guided tours include skip-the-line tickets and a guided tour with an experienced guide who shares exciting information about the Louvre’s art collection.
Where can I eat near the Louvre at night?
You can eat at the Le Cafe Marly, which offers a clear and unobstructed view of the iconic Glass Pyramid.
Do I have to pay to enter the Louvre at night?
Visitors need to purchase entry tickets to enjoy a Louvre Museum night tour.
Is photography allowed inside the Louvre at night?
Photography is allowed for personal use, and visitors cannot use flashlights or selfie sticks.
In some portions of the Louvre Museum, photography is completely prohibited, keeping in mind the safety and security of the art collections.
Why should I visit the Louvre at night?
You should visit the Louvre Museum at night to avoid larger crowds and have a better look at the collections there.
What can I see at the Louvre at night?
The Louvre Museum is full of things to see at night, such as the Glass Pyramid, the Mona Lisa, the Sphinx, and Italian sculptures.
What is the most iconic photography spot in the Louvre Museum?
The Mona Lisa and the Glass Pyramid are the most iconic and Instagrammable spots in the Louvre Museum.
Visiting the Louvre Museum at night offers you a better chance to click aesthetic pictures around iconic spots.
Is a guided tour of the Louvre Museum worth it?
Louvre Museum guided tours are worth it as they provide essential information about the collections at the Museum.
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Featured Photo by Bharat Patil on Unsplash
