Originally a fortress from the 13th century, then a royal residence before Versailles and the reign of Louis XIV, the Louvre was a true symbol of political power, renovated and perfected many times. A museum since its inauguration on 10 August 1793, the Louvre is the largest museum of art and antiquities in the world, with a rich collection of works spanning history from antiquity to the 19th century.
Thanks to its reputation and its success with a public fascinated by Art and History, the Louvre usually presents numerous activities and events, in addition to its permanent collection.
The Louvre, its collections, its heritage
A majestic and structured historical building, the Louvre has no less than eight conservation departments, grouping together the 35,000 works on display: Antiquities (Greek, Etruscan and Roman), Egyptian Antiquities, Oriental Antiquities, Paintings (from the 13th to the mid-19th century), Sculptures, Works of Art, Graphic Arts and Islamic Arts.
The museum also has sumptuous rooms such as the Galerie d’Apollon, the Salon Carré and the Salle des Etats, where the Mona Lisa and the Marriage of Cana, among others, are on display.
Since 2013, the museum has undergone a number of renovations in order to make access to the works easier and thus to optimise the visit of the general public.
Guided tour : The Mini-discoveries
Brief but full of cultural and artistic content, the Mini-discoveries deal with 8 themes in each of the 8 main areas of the museum:
- The beginnings of the Louvre
- A Stopover in Ancient Egypt
- The Italian Masters
- Large French Paintings
- The Courtyards
- The Napoleons
- Treasures of the Louvre
- Journeys to the lands of Islam
Lasting 20 minutes, these short but attractive guided tours will show you the undisputed treasures of the Louvre, over several millennia…
It is also an opportunity to ask your questions to the mediator present on site.
Without registration but within the limits of available places, the Mini-discoveries are accessible every day and every half hour between 10:30 and 15:30.
Visits offered with the museum ticket.
Guided tour: Walks
Until 31 August 2021, 3 walks are organised on 3 days of the week, starting at 1pm.
To revisit the classics or discover new works, the Louvre Museum puts the spotlight on Egyptian Antiquities (Mondays), French paintings (Thursdays) and French sculptures (Fridays).
From the Egyptian civilization with its 3000 years of existence, to the thousand of French paintings and sculptures made by great names such as David, Delacroix, and Puget, you will attend 1h30 of captivating and fascinating visit.
It costs between €9 and €12, in addition to the entrance fee, for this visit.
Visite contée : Petits contes d’été
Every day (except Tuesdays) until July 18 and from August 21 to 29, 2021, the Louvre Museum offers a tour format that will delight young and old alike. In the form of narrated tales, the one-hour tour retraces the magic and enchantment of the museum’s works, in a particularly charming summer atmosphere.
You can also watch the tales of the four seasons on the petit Louvre website!
It costs between €9 and €12, in addition to the entrance fee, for this visit.
Green space and promenade : Le Jardin des Tuileries
The Louvre Museum and the famous Place de la Concorde are separated by the 23-hectare Jardin des Tuileries. Fountains, sculptures, lush vegetation, entertainment, restaurants and cafés make this place a privileged meeting point for regulars and tourists alike.
There are activities to keep children entertained (and parents relaxed) with a fleet of small boats (€4), a playground (free), a carousel (€3), and a series of trampolines (€3).
And for everyone, guided tours are organised on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays at 2.30 pm. For 1 hour and 15 minutes, they comment on funny and unusual facts about the garden.
Until 29 August 2021, every day from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and in groups of 2 to 6 people, you will also have the opportunity to decipher the mystery of the “Secret d’Arcadie” with game material made available to discover all the secrets surrounding the Jardin des Tuileries.
Nota-bene: Don’t forget to book your ticket online, even for those who are entitled to a free ticket.
