What to see at the Louvre in Paris: opening hours, prices and tips

It is one of the most famous museums in the world, 'home' to works of art and archaeological artefacts of the highest cultural and historical value, from almost every corner of the globe. Every day, French and international visitors flock to the entrance of the Louvre in Paris to admire the Mona Lisa and the countless works contained within this impressive building. Let's find out together which pieces are not to be missed inside the legendary former royal fortress.

The following are the works not to be missed.

1 - The Mona Lisa

Also known as the Mona Lisa, the Louvre's queen work, a portrait by an Italian artist who needs no introduction. Mystery hovers around theenigmatic figure of the Mona Lisa, whose time and consequent wear and tear have not, however, affected her timeless charm.

• Date of creation: 1503 - 1506 approx.

• Author: Leonardo da Vinci

• Dimensions: 77 cm x 53 cm, with a thickness of 13 mm

• Technique and subject of work: oil portrait on poplar wood panel

2 - Virgin of the Rocks

There are two versions of this extraordinary painting with a religious theme, the second of which is preserved in London. The author of this painting is still our Leonardo da Vinci.

• Date of creation: 1483 - 1486

• Author: Leonardo da Vinci

• Dimensions: 199 cm x 122 cm

• Technique and subject of work: oil on panel transported on canvas depicting religious themes

3 - Cupid and Psyche

Refined eroticism and statuesque plasticity give this sculptural work a timeless appeal, despite the fact that at the time of its creation it was rather coldly received by much of the art critics. No one today can avert their eyes from this monumental demonstration of love.

• Date of creation: 1787 - 1793

• Author: Antonio Canova

• Dimensions: 155 cm high

• Technique and subject of work: white marble sculptural group representing the subjects of Cupid and Psyche

4 - Nike of Samothrace

Source: wikipedia. A victory without a head, but not without appeal is the one preserved inside the Parisian Louvre. A work dating back to ancient Greece, but still relevant today, mentioned by contemporary artists and thinkers as an emblem of a past that is perhaps too 'slow', but undoubtedly of more unique than rare beauty.

• Date of creation: c. 200 - 180 B.C.

• Author: Pythocritus (authorship not one hundred per cent verifiable)

• Dimensions: 245 cm high

• Technique and subject of work: Parian marble statue representing the goddess Nike without arms or head

5 - Venus of Milo

Photo by Sailko. A Hellenistic work that, although it did not arrive intact (as in the case of the Nike of Samothrace), is perfect evidence of the perfectionism of Greek sculptors, always in search of absolute beauty and thehumanisation of otherworldly divinities.

• Creation date: c. 130 BC

• Author: Alexander of Antioch

• Dimensions: 202 cm high

• Technique and subject of work: Parian marble sculpture depicting Aphrodite without arms

6 - Louvre Crucifix

Religious work of uncertain authorship, partly due to the less than optimal state of preservation in which it arrived at the Parisian museum back in 1863.

• Date of creation: circa 1315

• Author: Giotto and collaborators (uncertain authorship)

• Dimensions: 277 cm x 225 cm

• Technique and subject of work: shaped cross depicting Christ, painted in tempera and gold on panel

7 - The Oath of the Horatii

Depicting an event linked to a Roman legend, this painting is considered to be the manifesto of Neoclassicism, full of solemnity and quiet sorrow (depicted by the composed suffering of the three women on the right of the painting).

• Date of creation: 1785

• Author: Jacques-Louis David

• Dimensions: 330 cm x 425 cm

• Technique and subject of work: Oath of the three Roman brothers - the Horatii - Oil painting on canvas

8 - The Sabine Women

Photo by Jacques-Louis David. The search for peace in a post-revolutionary France is the message the artist wants to convey in one of his most iconic and world-renowned works.

• Date created: 1794 - 1799

• Author: Jacques-Louis David

• Dimensions: 385 cm x 522 cm

• Technique and subject of work: oil painting on canvas depicting the Sabine women trying to prevent a war between the Romans and the Sabines

9 - Liberty Leading the People

Marianne is the absolute protagonist of this painting that was considered revolutionary at the time of its creation. The message the artist wants to convey is that, for the sake of freedom, everyone is willing to fight side by side, regardless of age or social class. There is a strong descriptive-realistic component within a work that celebrates great French pride.

• Date of creation: 1830

• Author: Eugène Delacroix

• Dimensions: 260 cm x 325 cm

• Technique and subject of the work: the French people rebelling against the oppressor. Oil painting on canvas

Times and prices

The Louvre Museum is open all year round except Tuesdays, Christmas Day, New Year's Day and May Day. On 24 and 31 December, the building closes at 5pm.

• Hours: Mon-Thurs-Sun 09:00 - 18:00; Wed and Fri 09:00 - 21:45

• Full price ticket: €15.00 (the price also includes admission to the Eugène Delacroix Museum)

• Reductions: free admission to the Louvre for the following categories: under 18s, 18-25 year olds resident in the European Union, disabled people and their carers, unemployed jobseekers, art, history and applied arts teachers

• Miscellaneous: every Friday from 6 p.m. onwards, admission to the Louvre is free for under 26s with ID. From October to March, admission to the museum is free for everyone every first Sunday of the month. Free admission for all is also scheduled on 14 July (National Holiday)

Online tickets and guided tours

• Priority entrance to the Louvre Museum: from €19.00 per person.

• Admission without queue with audio guide: from €39.00 per person.

• Admission without queuewith guided tour: from €59.00 per person.

Where is it located and how to get there

The Louvre Museum can be reached in a few minutes by the main means of transport, as well as on foot or by car, in less than 20 minutes.

• On foot: proceeding from the city centre north on Quai de l'Hôtel de ville towards Rue de Rivoli, the Louvre can be reached in 17 minutes

• By bus: buses n° 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95 stop at the Louvre in approximately 16 minutes

• By metro: the yellow line no. 1 departing from the City Hall stop makes it possible to reach the attraction in just 10 minutes

• Driving directions: google maps

Useful tips for visiting the Louvre

A premise is a must when talking about the immense Louvre Museum: a whole day would not be enough to explore it all! However, organising a tour inside the attraction, admiring its main wonders, is not only possible, but also organisable, provided you respect the rules that govern the building.

1. Getup early: get to the museum at least an hour before it opens because of the tight controls at the entrance

2. Choose the right day: avoid planning your visit on the first Sunday of the month (from October to March) or on a Monday: these are the days when the queue in front of the Museum could become interminable

3. Buy the city card: the Paris Pass gives you free entry to over 60 of the city's attractions, including the Louvre

4. Priority ticket: you can buy your ticket in advance and also choose from the different types of tours that the museum offers visitors

5. Beware of restrictions: it is forbidden to enter the Museum with bulky luggage or suitcases. Luggage no larger than 55 x 35 x 20 cm (21.5 x 13.5 x 7.5 inches) may be accepted and placed in the luggage lockers after being checked

6. Minimum time: it takes at least three hours to visit the Louvre; ideally, you should spend at least half a day exploring the attraction

7. Use a map: you can download or pick one up free of charge at the information point in the Museum, located in the Hall Napoléon

8. Clothing: given the size of the Museum, it is advisable to wear comfortable clothes and shoes in order to move around with ease. It should also be remembered that there is a real risk of mugging inside the building, so it is important to always carry a purse with money and documents, which should never be lost. Finally, it is advisable not to keep money and documents on display, or in the back pockets of trousers. It is possible to photograph the works inside the museum, respecting the appropriate safety distances from the works