The Louvre is a must-visit for all tourists in Paris, as it is home to the world’s largest collection of artworks.
The Musee du Louvre’s Collections database contains over 500,000 artwork entries, making exploring it thoroughly in even two days impossible.
However, at a time, around 35,000 art pieces are permanently on display for visitors. For others, you need to check with the Louvre’s website.
The Musee du Louvre remains heavily crowded, so most visitors can only explore the museum partially in one visit.
Learn more about what to see in the Louvre Paris and have an unforgettable trip to one of the world’s largest art treasuries.
What to See at the Louvre Paris?
Due to the Louvre’s generous size, most guests feel lost during their trip.
Exploring the highlights of the Louvre Paris will take around six to seven hours, so if you are short on time, explore the must-sees at the Louvre.
Here are the top things to see at the Louvre Paris, without which your trip to the Musee du Louvre is incomplete:
The Raft of the Medusa
Raft of the Medusa was created by Théodore Géricault in the 19th century (1818-1819).
The painting “Raft of the Medusa” might not be suitable for sensitive people due to its intense realism.
This dramatic masterpiece portrays the aftermath of the shipwreck of the French naval frigate Méduse in 1816.
It portrays the survivors and casualties of the Medusa shipwreck desperately signaling for help upon spotting another ship in the distance that could potentially rescue them.
Artist: Théodore Géricault
Year: 1819
Location: Dept of Paintings, Mollien Room 700
The Mona Lisa
The Louvre Museum is home to the original Mona Lisa Painting.
Regarded as the world’s most famous painting, this portrait is believed to depict Francesco del Giocondo’s wife.
The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci, is an iconic masterpiece housed in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Created during the Italian Renaissance in the early 16th century, it is celebrated for its enigmatic smile, captivating gaze, and meticulous technique.
The 19th-century theft of the artwork by Leonardo da Vinci, coupled with the enduring mystery surrounding its origin, continues to captivate audiences worldwide.
Artist: Leonardo da Vinci
Year: 1503-1505
Location: Denon Wing, Room 711
The Wedding at Cana
The Wedding at Cana, a tale from the Old Testament, displays the scene of Jesus turning water into wine at a celebration in Cana.
It was commissioned from the artist Veronese by the Benedictine monks of a Venice monastery.
Veronese’s composition is grand and vibrant, filled with many characters engaged in the wedding scene.
This painting in the Louvre is esteemed for its portrayal of Venetian society during that era through the lens of a biblical narrative.
Artist: Paolo Veronese
Year: 1563
Location: Department of Paintings
The Coronation of Napoleon
This iconic piece was commissioned from the renowned historical mural painter Jacques-Louis David.
The Coronation of Napoleon portrays the Emperor during his consecration and the crowning of Empress Josephine.
Napoleon himself oversaw the creation of this extensive artwork.
He made sure to capture the grandeur of the ceremony with meticulous attention to the strategic placement of individuals for both aesthetic and political significance.
Artist: Jacques-Louis David
Year: 1807
Location: Department of Paintings, Daru Room 702
Liberty Leading the People
Liberty Leading the People is one of the most famous paintings in the Louvre Museum commemorating the French Revolution.
It depicts a symbolic woman personifying Liberty leading a band of armed revolutionaries during the July Revolution of 1830 in France.
She is a symbolic embodiment of the concept of liberty and the spirit of the French Republic.
By her side are figures from different classes of 19th-century French society united in opposition to the Bourbon monarchy.
Delacroix captured a decisive moment during the three days of fighting in July 1830, which resulted in the abdication of Charles X and the establishment of liberal rule.
This painting has come to symbolize broader themes of uprising against tyranny and the sacrifices made during France’s numerous revolutions in the name of liberty.
The dramatic use of vivid color and dynamic composition underlies the romantic style for which Delacroix was known.
Artist: Eugène Delacroix
Year: 1831
Location: Room 700, Denon Wing, Level 1
Triumph of Virtues
This vibrant fresco stuns with its allegorical portrayal of ten cardinal virtues; each personified as a graceful female figure.
Temperance pours water into wine, signifying moderation; Justice holds scales and a sword, representing fairness; Faith gazes heavenward, exuding spiritual devotion.
The procession unfolds against a backdrop of lush greenery and ancient ruins, symbolizing the triumph of moral principles over earthly temptations.
Artist: Andrea Mantegna
Year: 1500-1502
Location: Dept of Paintings, Room 371
Death of the Virgin
Caravaggio’s signature dramatic lighting and raw realism come alive in this poignant scene.
The Virgin Mary lies on her deathbed, surrounded by grief-stricken apostles.
Her pale skin and closed eyes convey the stillness of death, while the harsh contrast of light and shadow accentuates the emotional turmoil of the witnesses.
The painting’s raw beauty and unflinching portrayal of mortality have captivated audiences for centuries.
Artist: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio
Year: 1601-1606
Location: Denon Wing, Room 710
David with the Head of Goliath
Bathed in a dramatic spotlight, David stares intently at the severed head of Goliath, the giant he has slain.
The contrast between David’s youthful beauty and Goliath’s grotesque visage speaks to the triumph of courage over brute force.
The painting’s intense realism and psychological depth have made it an iconic image of artistic and religious significance.
Artist: Guido Reni
Year: 1606
Location: Grande Galerie
Dante and the Virgin in Hell
Romanticism bursts forth in Delacroix’s turbulent rendition of a scene from Dante’s Inferno.
The poet Dante and his guide Virgil stand amidst a whirlwind of tormented souls, their figures dwarfed by the inferno’s fiery depths.
Using bold colors, dynamic brushstrokes, and dramatic lighting creates a sense of overwhelming chaos and suffering.
The painting’s raw energy and emotional power capture the essence of Dante’s epic journey through the underworld.
Artist: Eugène Delacroix
Year: 1822
Location: Room 700, Denon Wing, Level 1
The Rape of the Sabine Woman
Neoclassicism takes center stage in David’s grand historical tableau.
The Roman hero Romulus, having abducted Sabine women to populate his newly founded city, faces the wrath of their fathers and brothers.
The scene is a maelstrom of emotions – anguish, rage, desperation, and a glimmer of hope.
This masterful composition uses classical references and dramatic storytelling to elevate the event to a timeless allegory about the clash between power and suffering.
Artist: Nicolas Poussin
Year: 1633–34
Location: Richelieu Wing, Room 828
Other Masterpieces of the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum houses more than just paintings.
You can find a variety of statues and sculptures in the Louvre.
Here are some other masterpieces of the Louvre you should check out.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace
An awe-inspiring masterpiece that has captivated viewers for centuries.
Carved from gleaming Parian marble, this Hellenistic marvel stands tall.
The form depicts her windswept drapery clinging to her powerful form as if she’s just landed mid-flight on the prow of a ship.
Measuring 8 feet, the Winged Victory of Samothrace holds a significant place among the iconic pieces in the Louvre.
This piece represents the most awe-inspiring legacies of Ancient Greek art.
The Venus de Milo
Despite lacking arms, the beauty of the Venus de Milo remains undiminished.
Unearthed in 1820, it was presented to King Louis XIII, who later bestowed it upon the Louvre Museum.
Created between 130 and 100 BCE, the statue is believed to depict the goddess Venus (Aphrodite to the Greeks).
The sculpture is renowned for its classical beauty, with the goddess portrayed in a moment of graceful modesty, covering her chest with one arm while the other rests by her side.
The Horse Tamers
One of the most dramatic and antique sculptures in the Louvre Museum’s collection is The Horse Tamers.
It is a Roman marble copy dating to the 2nd century CE of an earlier lost Hellenistic bronze original.
This monumental work, measuring 16 feet high and 19 feet wide, dominates the museum’s Michelangelo Gallery space.
The Horse Tamers depicts a pair of horse tamers, Dioscuri twins Castor and Pollux of Greek and Roman mythology, who attempt to control and tame wild stallions.
The Monzon Lion
This piece, found in the Department of Islamic Arts, is a noteworthy addition to the masterpieces in the Louvre Museum.
Originally used as a fountain spout, it is believed to have originated from 12th or 13th century Spain.
Notably, it stands out as one of the scarce bronze artifacts with a known origin.
Contents
FAQs
What’s there to see at the Louvre Paris?
The Louvre’s vast collection features artworks like statues, sculptures, paintings, photographs and much more.
The Musee du Louvre features over 3,00,000 art pieces, out of which 35,000 of them are on display at any given time.
What are the top things to see at the Louvre Paris?
Some of the top things to see at the Louvre Paris are the Mona Lisa, the Wedding Feast at Cana, and Napolean III’s Apartments.
How do I locate the top things to see at the Louvre Paris?
Visitors find locating their favorite artworks in the Louvre Paris challenging due to the museum’s enormous collection and size.
The best way to navigate the museum is to carry the Louvre Map, which features its layout and guides you through its galleries and wings.
What is the most stunning masterpiece at the Louvre?
The Musee du Louvre features numerous stunning masterpieces, so choosing one from the many is difficult.
However, its most famous art pieces include the Mona Lisa and Napoleon III Apartments.
Are the Napolean III Apartments at Musee du Louvre open to the public?
Visitors can access the Napolean III Apartments at the Louvre and see the former palace.
What to see at the Louvre Museum in Paris in two hours?
If you have just two hours to explore the Louvre Museum in Paris, head to the Denon Wing, which houses the most famous collections, including the Mona Lisa.
What to see in the Louvre Paris in a day?
If you must explore the Musee du Louvre in a day, you should see its most famous paintings and sculptures.
Check out the Mona Lisa, the Wedding Feast at Cana, Venus de Milo statue, The Four Seasons, the Napolean III Apartments and the Crown of Louis XV.
