Here’s What I Do When I Visit The Louvre

I have to admit that one of my favorite things about living in Paris is getting to visit the Louvre when I want. Sounds cliché, I know, but as an art lover, the Louvre is my church! I'm almost ashamed to share how often I go there in a year, but rest assured, even the most seasoned tourists will be mind-blown. I've been to the Louvre so often that I've become an expert at it, so let me share what I do when I visit the world's most famous museum. I'll teach you how to navigate this colossal art gallery without wasting your time!

Dedicate At Least Half a Day to the Museum

Don't underestimate how big the Louvre is. The museum is about 243,000 square meters (2.6 million square feet) and practically takes up almost a third of the 1st arrondissement. One day isn't even enough to cover an entire wing! However, it is enough to see certain displays and exhibitions. If you're very specific about what you want to see in the Louvre, you can spend at least half a day, too. I remember my first time there, it took me about six hours to see the Mona Lisa and its surrounding artworks, and I was already satisfied.

Always Wear Comfy Shoes

The Louvre is undoubtedly one of the most fashionable museums in the world. Not only is it world-famous, but it has also served as a venue for glamorous events like Paris Fashion Week, celebrity galas, and more. I understand you want to dress to impress when you visit the Louvre, but there's one rule you should always follow: wear comfy shoes! I already told you how big the museum is, right? Well, that also means you'll be doing a lot of walking. Even if you already have a specific artwork to visit, I guarantee you it will take about an hour or more to get there.

List Down What to See

I always list down the artworks I want to see whenever I plan to go to the Louvre. I find it much easier to navigate this monstrosity of a museum when I do it, no matter how often I've been here before. Most frequent visitors like me have essentially memorized the layout of the Louvre, but I know that I can never see everything all at once. I can barely check out two of the museum's most iconic displays in a day! So to avoid wasting my time, I just list the pieces I want to see and make sure I go to those that are located near each other at a time.

Buy Tickets Online

Despite how old the Louvre is, it's still part of the modern world. Today, you don't have to line up to buy tickets anymore. There's the more popular option of purchasing a ticket online instead. Not only will this save you a lot more time to explore the museum when you're there, but you'll also get to see what's new to check out inside. I'm sure many of you visit the Louvre to see the iconic displays like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, among many others. But for art lovers like me, it's worth checking out the new exhibitions too.

Get a “Skip the Line” Ticket

Now, when you do buy Louvre tickets online, I recommend choosing the “Skip the Line” option. Just as its name says, this ticket will give you a specific slot within the day when you can get into the museum through a priority entrance. It only lasts for 30 minutes, but once you're inside, you can explore the Louvre at your own pace! Admittedly, I don't think it's a perfect system to address the crowd problems, but it does help. I never have to wait to get inside the Louvre when I have a “Skip the Line” ticket.

Arrive Early!

Even with a “Skip the Line” ticket, I still suggest that you arrive at the Louvre early. Let's say your slot is 11:30 am. I would arrive near the priority entrance at about 10:50 am, in the earliest. Yes, there's a slot for you to get inside the museum, but even the lines there can get very long. Though it never happened to me, I've heard stories about people being denied entry because they were late for their slot. Yes, that happens, and the people at the Louvre are strict about it! So, go there much earlier than your slot.

Don't Enter Through The Famous Pyramid

The Louvre's glass pyramid has become just as famous as the Mona Lisa, and it draws just as many crowds. It's not just an architectural masterpiece! It's also the main entrance to the museum, hence, this is where the long lines start. Fortunately for “Skip the Line” ticket-holders, you get to have a different priority entry to get into the museum. But for those who decided to visit the Louvre on a whim, you're better off finding a different entrance instead. I suggest you enter through the Richelieu gate since it's rarely as crowded as all the others.

Use The TourLens Louvre Guide App

I'm not one to get into tours in the Louvre, but I do like listening to guides when I pass by them inside. I personally prefer a more audiovisual Louvre experience myself, which is why I have the TourLens Louvre Guide App on my phone. For those who don't like paying more for guided tours and the like, this app allows you to listen to audio guides when you explore the Louvre. What I love about it the most is that I still get to browse the art gallery at my own pace while still listening to fascinating explanations about the displays.

Seeing Mona Lisa Once is Enough!

I know just about half of you reading this now are planning to visit the Louvre just to see the Mona Lisa. I'm not judging! It's the most famous painting in the world, after all, and though many have decided that it's a glorified tourist trap, you still have to see it at least once! And let me assure you: once is enough! I don't mean to say that it's an overrated artwork or anything like that. I still think it's extraordinary after having seen it more than once. But I do think that getting to push and shove my way to see it once was enough for me.



I know that visiting the Louvre in Paris can be overwhelming, but there are smarter ways to approach it. As a frequent visitor myself, let me share how I navigate this massive museum every time I visit and how to truly enjoy this historic landmark.