The Louvre Museum is usually open from 9 am to 6 pm. On Wednesdays and Fridays, the museum has extended hours until 9 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays. The last entry to the Louvre is one hour before closing, and the rooms are cleaned 30 minutes before closing.
Here are the Louvre Paris’ opening hours for your reference:
| Day | Opening Hours |
|---|---|
| Friday | 9 am to 9 pm |
| Saturday | 9 am to 6 pm |
| Sunday | 9 am to 6 pm |
| Monday | 9 am to 6 pm |
| Tuesday | Closed |
| Wednesday | 9 am to 9 pm |
| Thursday | 9 am to 6 pm |
Musee du Louvre Opening Hours on Public Holidays
Musee du Louvre remains closed on 1 January, 1 May, and 25 December. It remains open on all other public holidays unless they fall on a Tuesday. Musee du Louvre’s opening hours depend on the day of the week on such public holidays.
Best Time to Visit the Louvre
The best time to visit the Louvre museum is 9 am, when the museum opens for visitors. We recommend you complete your visit by 12 pm before the museum gets too crowded. If you can not make it early in the morning, another ideal time to visit the Louvre is at 3 pm. For a unique and private experience, visit after 6 pm during the extended opening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays.
The Best Day of the Week to Visit the Louvre
The best days of the week to visit the Louvre are the weekdays. Visiting the Musee du Louvre early from Monday to Friday helps you avoid crowds, as the weekends are more crowded. During the weekdays, the locals are mostly away at school or work, helping eliminate the crowd to a great extent. Wednesdays and Fridays are the best days to visit during the weekdays since the Louvre remains open for longer. You can also see the attraction at night.
The Best Season to Visit the Louvre
The best season to visit the Louvre depends on your needs and preferences. Summer is the peak season in Paris and Europe, and the Musee du Louvre remains too crowded. Autumn and winter are quieter and are also good seasons to visit. During these months, the museum attracts fewer crowds, making exploring the Louvre more convenient.
The Best Time to Visit the Louvre For Photography
The best time to visit the Louvre for photography is at night, as the museum remains relatively less crowded, making it convenient to take pictures. You can take the most Instagrammable pictures outside the Louvre, next to the iconic glass pyramid and explore the artworks and collections inside.
Visiting the Musee du Louvre at night allows you to explore the Museum with fewer people photobombing your clicks. You can also reach the attractions early in the morning, around two to three hours before the Louvre’s opening hours, to click pictures outside. However, visitors can only enter the museum after the Louvre opens.
How Long Does It Take to Visit the Louvre?
The Louvre houses one of the largest art collections in the world, and you must allot at least one day to explore it thoroughly. Most visitors usually spend four to five hours exploring the museum. If you are short on time, you can also choose a guided tour and visit the museum’s highlights in two hours.
Guests who wish to view only the Mona Lisa opt for a dedicated tour with a host, which takes 45 minutes to 1 hour. We recommend you allow four to five hours to enjoy the museum. If art fatigue hits you in between, restaurants and cafes are inside and near the Louvre Museum, where you can relax and rejuvenate.
FAQs
1. Are the Louvre Paris opening hours the same throughout the year?
The Musee du Louvre opening hours vary throughout the year depending on the day of the week and special occasions. Apart from day-wise opening hours, the Louve closes a little early, around 5 to 6 pm, on certain occasions like Christmas and New Year’s Eve.
2. What are the Musee Louvre’s opening hours for public holidays?
The Louvre’s opening hours are the same as the day of the week unless otherwise stated that the Louvre is closed a little early, around 5 pm.
Featured Image: louvre.fr
