Plizio Visual Lab
Louvre
The Louvre Museum in Paris is the world's largest art museum, housing significant collections from antiquity to the mid-19th century. Originally constructed as a fortress in the 12th century under King Philip II, the complex evolved over centuries to serve as the primary residence of French monarchs. After the royal court moved to Versailles in the 17th century, the Louvre was eventually opened as a public museum in 1793 during the French Revolution. The vast collections are organized into eight departments, with Leonardo da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' and the 'Venus de Milo' being among its most famous exhibits. A striking feature of its architecture is the iconic glass pyramid in the courtyard, opened in 1989 as a modern main entrance, creating a bold contrast with the historic palace facades. The museum displays over 35,000 works of art across more than 70,000 square meters of gallery space, providing a deep dive into global art history. Today, the Louvre is not only a cultural treasury but also an architectural landmark reflecting France's complex history. It attracts millions of visitors annually who come to marvel at the splendor of former royal apartments and the diversity of world art treasures. The Louvre broke new attendance records in 2024 thanks to the Olympics, reaching nearly 9 million visitors. A major renovation plan was announced in 2025 by Emmanuel Macron.
- Location: Île-de-France, France
- Top sights: Louvre Museum · Jardin de l'Oratoire · Jardin de l'Infante
- Nearby: Vaugirard (4 km)
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 3 | 4 | 7 | 10 | 14 | 17 | 19 | 19 | 16 | 12 | 7 | 4 |
| Rain mm | 54 | 50 | 52 | 39 | 64 | 60 | 55 | 59 | 42 | 57 | 61 | 69 |
📋 Practical info
Geography
Facts
- The museum officially opened on August 10, 1793.
- It houses over 35,000 objects in its permanent collection.
- The total gallery space measures 72,735 square meters.
- The glass pyramid consists of exactly 673 glass panes.
- Roughly 10 million visitors enter the Louvre every year.
- The 'Mona Lisa' is kept behind specialized bulletproof glass.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Louvre (10)
Louvre Palace
Former royal palace, now housing the Louvre Museum in Paris.
Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain🏛 museum
Museum for contemporary art in Paris.
Temple de l'Oratoire du Louvre
Church located in Paris, near the Louvre.
Pont des Arts
Pedestrian bridge over the Seine with views of the Louvre and Île de la Cité.
Beffroi de Saint-Germain l'Auxerrois🗼 tower
Church tower of Saint-Germain-l'Auxerrois in Paris.
Galerie Patrick Fourtin
Art gallery in Paris, featuring temporary exhibitions.
Sights nearby
Frequently asked questions
When is the Louvre closed?
Where is the Mona Lisa located?
How to avoid long queues?
Are there evening openings?
How much time do I need?
Louvre: where is it located?
Louvre: what is there to see?
Louvre: when is the best time to visit?
Louvre: why is it worth visiting?
Nearby cities
