The Louvre in Paris is the world's largest art museum, holding over 35,000 works, including the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, housed in a former royal palace. Founded in 1793, it displays 8 centuries of history, featuring a iconic glass pyramid entrance. It is closed on Tuesdays and requires booking a time slot. 

Key Details

• Location: 1st arrondissement, Paris, France, on the Right Bank of the Seine.
• Hours: Open daily 9 am–6 pm; open until 9 pm on Fridays and Wednesdays. Closed on Tuesdays, January 1, May 1, and December 25.
• Admission (as of Jan 2026): €32 online (non-EEA residents), free for under-18s.
• Key Collections: Egyptian antiquities, Greek/Etruscan/Roman, Islamic art, and Paintings (Renaissance, French Romanticism).
• Major Works: Mona Lisa (da Vinci), Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, Liberty Leading the People.
• Structure: Divided into three wings: Richelieu, Sully, and Denon. 

Visitor Information

• Entry: Booking a timeslot online via the Louvre website is required.
• Best Time to Visit: Evenings on Wednesday/Friday are generally less crowded.
• Size: The immense collection requires multiple visits; focusing on specific areas is recommended. 

History

• 1190: Originally constructed as a fortress by King Philip II.
• 1546: Converted into a royal palace by Francis I.
• 1682: Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles; the Louvre became a display space for art and antiques.
• 1793: Opened as a public museum by the revolutionary government.
• 1989: The iconic glass pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei, was completed.

Courtesy by: Museums.EU, VisitParisRegion, Wikipedia