The Louvre

Museum

ARC DU CARROUSEL OUTSIDE THE LOUVRE

ARC DU CARROUSEL

OUTSIDE THE LOUVRE

PERRAULT LA COLONNADE DU LOUVRE

PERRAULT

LA COLONNADE DU LOUVRE

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The Louvre, a tour of the world

  • Who lived in the Louvre?
  • Who were its architects?
  • What treasures does it hold?
Formal royal palace, the Louvre is the most visited museum in the world today, and one of the largest. The site originated in the 12th century as a medieval fortress and evolved to become a public arts museum by the end of the 18th century. Over the years it has seen numerous modifications and additions – most recently, I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid, which forms the museum’s main entrance. The museum’s collection includes over 30,000 pieces spanning continents and centuries, making the Louvre a veritable museum of the world.

Louis XV was the first to envisage a permanent museum in the Louvre, but the idea did not become reality until the French revolution. Today there are 1500 sculptures, 3615 paintings, 16500 antiques, and 9000 objects on display in the 246 rooms of the museum. These treasures are divided into 12 departments.

Since it is nearly impossible to visit the entire museum at one time, we offer 4 tours organized by theme and interest.

01

Tour 1: Classic Tour 2hrs

- An introduction to the Louvre palace since its foundation under Philippe Auguste: its history linked to that of Paris, its Kings.
- The museum’s main masterpieces, ancient Egyptian and Greek sculptures. Paintings from the Italian Renaissance to Neoclassicism, by way of French Romanticism.
- The Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Coronation of Napoleon, the famous Odalisque, the Raft of the Medusa, Liberty Leading the People, The Wedding at Cana, the enigmatic Mona Lisa....

02

Tour 2: Classic Tour 3hrs

- The museum’s main masterpieces + the Richelieu wing: the Marly and Puget courts, sculpture dedicated to the glory of Louis XIV.

03

Tour 3: From Rococo to Romanticism 2hrs

- How art evolved in the 18th century and after 1789, French sculpture and painting.
Rococo art from Boucher to Watteau and Fragonard, to the Romantics Géricault and Delacroix.

04

Tour 4: Napoleon’s France 2hrs

- General, First Consul, then Emperor Napoleon commissioned the best painters of the day to commemorate his glory and military exploits. Immortal masterpieces, campaign posters… your guide will take you on a journey to the Napoleonic era conjured up in these historical paintings and portraits.

Opening hours :

Daily except Tuesday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Evenings until 10 p.m. Wednesday and Friday
Closed January 1, May 1 and December 25

Amenities :

Wheelchairs can be borrowed at the information desk under the pyramid. ID required.
Bookshop
Restaurant
Disabled access (wheelchair loan)
Cloakroom
Baby facilities (stroller loan, etc.)

Direct, no-lines access: reservation required for groups (25 people maximum per guide)

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