Today, the Louvre is one of the most important and most visited museums in the world. It is also the biggest museum in Paris, extending over 210,000 m². This former royal palace, residence of the Kings of France has a long history from the Capetian kings of the 12th century to the present day. During the French Revolution, in 1793, it was transformed into a national museum. In 1988, President François Mitterrand decided to make the Louvre the greatest museum in the world and commissioned the architect Ieoh Ming Pei. The latter built the 20-metre-high glass pyramid which forms the entrance to the museum.

The museum presents 35,000 works, in eight different departments: Oriental Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities, Islamic arts, Sculpture, Art Objects, Paintings, and Graphic Arts. Among the most famous works on show are The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, La Liberté Guidant le Peuple by Eugène Delacroix, The Venus de Milo, or the Code d’Hammurabi.

Louvre: 99 rue de Rivoli, Paris 1st - Metro Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre

Entrance fees and modalities

Independent tour

Permanent collections: €12 - Ticket only valid on date of purchase for the Louvre (except exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon) and the Musée Eugène-Delacroix. Exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon: €13. Combined ticket: €16 - Access to permanent collections and all temporary exhibitions at the Louvre and the Musée Eugène-Delacroix. To avoid queues, you can buy your ticket in advance online at www.louvre.fr.

Guided tour

For information call +33 (0)1 40 20 52 63. The group meeting point is situated under the pyramid.

Group tour

Booking required for group tours. There is a maximum of 25 people per group (see terms and conditions at www.louvre.fr). To book a group tour with a museum guide: - By post: Musée du Louvre - Visites-conférences - Service vente et réservation à distance -Direction accueil surveillance vente - 75058 Paris Cedex 01 - By telephone: +33 (0)1 40 20 51 77 - By fax: +33 (0)1 40 20 84 58 Self-guided group tour with an external leader or tour guide: - By post: Musée du Louvre - Groupes autonomes - Service vente et réservation à distance - Direction accueil surveillance vente 75058 Paris Cedex 01 - By telephone: +33 (0)1 40 20 57 60 - By fax: +33 (0) 1 40 20 58 24

Free

Free entry for all on the first Sunday of every month, from October to March, and on 14 July. Free (except exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon) for those under 26 from a country within the European Union, as well as teachers holding the 'Pass Education'. Entry is also free for all under 26 year olds from 6pm on Fridays during late night openings.

Free for young people and children Under 18s go free, as do under 26 year old from within the EU and teachers holding the 'Pass Education'. All under 26 year olds are entitled to free entry from 6pm on Fridays during late night openings.

Free and reduced for disabled people Free and reduced for disabled people : Free entry for disabled people and an accompanying person upon presentation of written proof.

Methods of payment

• CB/Visa

• Eurocard/mastercard

• American Express

• chèques voyage

• chèques vacances

Opening times

Closing times Tuesday

Exceptional closure NC

Opening times Open from 9am to 5.45pm except in exceptional circumstances (works, transport strikes, etc.). Certain collections are open or closed on certain days of the week, for more information call +33 (0)1 40 20 53 17. Access to the museum is via the pyramid for individual visitors; the Richelieu access point is reserved for groups and those who hold the Louvre loyalty card.

Details of opening times On 14 July, entrance is free and the museum closes at 5.45pm. On 24 and 31 December the museum closes at 5pm.

Opening of ticket desks Last entry: 5.15pm (9.15pm during late openings). Rooms start closing at 5.30pm (or 9.30pm).

Late opening Wednesday and Friday until 9.45pm

Exceptional opening Easter, Easter Monday, Ascension Day, Whitsuntide, Whit Monday, 14 July, 15 August, 1 November, 11 November