Is Louvre worth it?
Worth it if…Overhyped · −35The world's most-visited art museum, in a former royal palace, home of the Mona Lisa
Worth it, with conditions. Google 4.7 from 380k reviews; the masterpieces impress, though the Mona Lisa crush is a common letdown.
Hype94How famous and hyped it is
Reality59Evidence-based, votes take over as they come in
4.7 ★ Google · 380,259 reviews— hypegap votes · be one of the first
Been to Louvre? Was it worth it?
One tap. No account. Your vote moves the Reality score.Is it worth it for you?
Worth itEditorial verdict until 5 first-timers vote
The collection is genuinely world-class; book the earliest slot and pick 5–10 works in advance.
Why Reality is 59
Lives up to its fame4/5Google 4.7 from 380k reviews; the masterpieces impress, though the Mona Lisa crush is a common letdown.
Value for money3/5€32 for non-EEA visitors is a big jump, but it buys access to one of the world's great collections and is free for under-18s.
Can’t get it elsewhere4/5No other Paris museum covers antiquity to the 19th century at this scale; the Orsay is the stronger pick only for Impressionism.
Easy to do2/5Timed entry needed (mandatory in late October 2026), confusing layout, ticket scams on mirror sites, and staff strikes over overcrowding.
What people loved
Unrivalled collection: Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory and Liberty Leading the People under one roofThe palace itself — gilded ceilings, Napoleon III apartments, the pyramid and courtyards — is a highlightTimed-entry system keeps waits to get in short when booked aheadFree for under-18s and EEA residents under 26, plus free first-Friday eveningsQuiet corners exist away from the Mona Lisa: Cour Marly and Cour Puget sculpture courtsWhat wore them down
Mona Lisa room is a one-way crush; many visitors can't get close to a surprisingly small paintingChronic overcrowding: staff walked out in June 2025 over mass tourism, closing the museum for an afternoonNon-EEA price rose to €32, a steep jump over EU visitorsHuge and confusing to navigate; audio guide room codes hard to findLast entry an hour before closing and rooms cleared 30 min early, so late slots give little timeKnow before you go
See something out of date? Fix it right here.Reservation required. Timed-slot ticket strongly recommended and mandatory 17 Oct–1 Nov 2026; on-site sales only when attendance is low.
Entry€32 non-EEA visitors; €22 EEA residents/citizens; free under 18, EEA residents under 26, and disabled visitors plus one companionSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Free entryFree for everyone on the first Friday of the month after 6 p.m. (not July/August) and on 14 JulySource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Hours9 a.m.–6 p.m.; to 9 p.m. Wednesday and Friday; closed Tuesdays, 1 Jan, 1 May, 25 Dec. Last entry 1 hour before closing; rooms cleared 30 min beforeSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ReservationTime-slot booking recommended for everyone (incl. free visitors); mandatory for all visitors 17 Oct–1 Nov 2026. Buy only at ticket.louvre.fr — the museum warns of mirror sites and street vendorsSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
ExtrasAudio guide €6; guided tours €12 on top of admission. Ticket also covers Musée Delacroix same day and next daySource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Time needed2 hours for the highlights; half a day to a full day for moreSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Getting thereMetro 1/7 Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre, at the door; ~10 min from Châtelet by metro or a 15-min walk along the SeineSource · Checked Oct 16, 2026
Opening hours (Google)
- Monday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Thursday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM – 9:00 PM
- Saturday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
In their words
“With the enormous crowd packed in front of such a surprisingly small painting, we really couldn't get close enough to appreciate it.”
“I really enjoyed the artwork, especially the painting exhibits, but it is REALLY easy to get lost.”
“Yes, the room is busy, but the line moves quickly and it is completely worth it.”
“Even spending an entire day isn't enough to see everything.”
Tips from people who went
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Questions people ask
How much is a Louvre ticket in 2026?
€32 for non-EEA visitors and €22 for EEA residents and citizens. Under-18s and EEA residents under 26 enter free.
Do I need to book Louvre tickets in advance?
Booking a time slot is recommended for everyone, and from 17 October to 1 November 2026 a reservation is mandatory. Buy only at ticket.louvre.fr.
What day is the Louvre closed?
Tuesdays, plus 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
Is the Louvre ever free?
Yes: on the first Friday of each month after 6 p.m. (except July and August) and on 14 July.
How long do you need at the Louvre?
About 2 hours for the main highlights; a half or full day to explore more widely.
Better fits, according to people who went
Sources
- Louvre — Hours, admission & directions (official)
- Lonely Planet — Guide to the Louvre
- AP via ClickOnDetroit — Overwhelmed and understaffed, the Louvre shuts its doors (June 2025)
- Google Maps — Louvre Museum