The Louvre Museum insider guide
There’s so much more to the Louvre than that Mona Lisa enigmatic smile. Turned over to culture vultures during the French Revolution, this palace of kings is a jumble of venerable galleries, underground chambers and gilded ballrooms. You won’t see it all in one day, so pace yourself – this is one must-see sight in Paris worth coming back for.
Highlights
The Beyoncé trail
Powerful hip-hop duo Beyoncé and Jay Z caused a storm on social media after shooting their latest music video in the Louvre. Follow Queen Bey’s footsteps on this trail, sweeping from the marbled grandeur of the Winged Victory of Samothrace to Marie-Guillemine Benoist’s arresting Portrait of a Black Woman.
The Denon Wing
These rooms’ iconic wine-red walls make a striking backdrop for monumental paintings depicting key moments in France’s tumultuous history. Napoleon brandishing a crown for his Empress Joséphine, Liberty scaling barricades, the plight of the Raft of the Medusa – it’s all there, in glorious larger-than-life detail.
The Sully Wing
Pei’s triumphant Pyramid hints at the Louvre’s unsurpassed treasure trove of Egyptian wonders. Thousands of artefacts are on display in the Sully Wing’s 35 rooms, among them eye-catching sphinxes, pristine sarcophagi and a colossal statue of Rameses II. Don’t miss the Osiris trail offering clues to the beliefs of Ancient Egyptians.
Take a break
La Guinguette d’Angèle – Le Take Away
34, rue Coquillière, 75001Join health-conscious Parisians at this charming little take-away window. Almost everything is some combination of raw, vegan and gluten-free, with particularly enticing desserts. Perfect for a picnic in the nearby Palais Royal gardens.
Amorino
Jardin des Tuileries, 75001Amorino’s hand-sculpted gelatos are pretty as a petal – and just the thing to revive retired culture vultures. If the notoriously long queue in the garden gets overwhelming, hop across to the Left Bank for one of Grom’s all-natural numbers.
Café Kitsuné
51, Galerie Montpensier 75001Maison Kitsuné’s hip coffee shop rustles up beautiful patisseries and picture-perfect matcha lattes. The interior’s titchy, though; if there’s no room on the terrace grab your order to go and wander down the Galerie de Montpensier’s elegant arcades.
For the kids
There’s no play or activity area for little ones as such, though the nearby Jardin des Tuileries offers all the space, fair rides and ponies they’ll need to burn off excess energy. Photography, art and dance workshops are offered in some of the galleries, offering bite-sized insight into special exhibitions. Head to Porte des Lions for the full programme.
Opening hours
The Louvre is open 9am–6pm, with lates on Wednesdays and Fridays until 9.45pm. It’s closed on Tuesdays, as well as 1 January, 1 May, 8 May and 25 December.
Getting there
For the fastest access, get off at the Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station on Métro lines 1 and 7. Line 14 also stops at Pyramides, a little further away.
Costs
At-the-door tickets are €15; under-18s (and EU citizens under 26) get in free.
Skip the line
The museum’s at its most quiet at opening time and in the evenings; check the Affluences app for live updates on waiting times. You’ll be charged an extra €2 to buy your ticket online, but it’s well worth it to be guaranteed entrance in less than 30 minutes. If you’re feeling spontaneous, try the often-quieter entrance in the Carrousel du Louvre.
Book your city break
Image credits: © Olivier Ouadah; © Olivier Ouadah; © Robin Harper; © Musée du Louvre; © Sully Wing; © La Guinguette d’Angèle; © Alamy; © Café Kitsuné; © Musée du Louvre