Discover the Louvre Museum - The most captivating art destination in Paris, France

Where is the Louvre Museum located?

Located just about 2.4 km from the city center, the Louvre is not only a museum but also a historic landmark, a symbol of the vibrant French culture.

• Address: Musée du Louvre, Rue de Rivoli, Paris, France.

Known by many other names such as Musée Napoléon or Musée des Arts, few know that it was originally built as a fortress named the Louvre to protect Paris from invading forces. Over various periods, it has been renovated to become a royal palace.

Eventually, with its purpose changing and the expansion of its wings covering a vast 210,000 square meters, the Louvre officially became one of the largest art museums in the world, now known as the Musée du Louvre as we know it today.

Where is the Louvre Museum located? (Photo: @arteliagroup)

Within the museum complex, the Pyramide du Louvre on Cour Napoléon was honored with the AIA Twenty-five Year Award by the American Institute of Architects (AIA), becoming a symbol of modern French architecture.

The Louvre Museum houses thousands of masterpieces from different eras. Visitors here can immerse themselves in the unique European artistic space, a testament to an ancient and glorious civilization.

The history of the construction of the Louvre Museum in France

Built in 1190 during the 12th century under King Philip Augustus, the Louvre in France was originally a fortress on the right bank of the Seine River, designed to protect the city from Viking invaders. The original structure featured a moat and a system of watchtowers guarding all four corners.

Over time, the Louvre transformed from a military fortification into a magnificent royal palace. In 1546, under King Henry, the fortress was completely rebuilt, and further expansions followed. However, the development ceased under King Louis in 1665, when the French court moved to the Palace of Versailles.

Gradually, the Louvre became a storage space for sculptures and a royal exhibition hall. After enduring the hardships of war and fire over two centuries, in 1981, the French president declared that the entire Louvre Palace would be dedicated to the museum. It officially opened to the public in 1989, the same year the glass Pyramid was completed in the Napoléon Courtyard.

Ticket prices for visiting the museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris does not have fixed opening hours every day. Additionally, the last entry is one hour before closing time, and visitors will be notified to leave the rooms 30 minutes prior. The museum also remains closed on major public holidays such as January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.

Opening hours of the Louvre Museum in Paris

The basic entry fee to visit the Louvre Museum is 22 EUR (approximately 589,600 VND). However, some visitors may enter for free if they belong to one of the following categories:

• Children under 18 years old (proof of identity required).
• Residents aged 18-25 from the European Economic Area (EU, Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein).
• All visitors on the first Friday of the month after 6:00 PM (except for July and August).
• Art teachers (only visual arts, archaeology, applied arts, architecture, and art history) with proof of the subjects taught.
• Journalists (press cards required, either national or international).
• Disabled visitors and their companions…

How to get to the Louvre Museum in Paris

From Vietnam to Paris

Travelers flying from Vietnam to Paris, France can land at major airports such as Charles-de-Gaulle International Airport, Paris-Le Bourget, or Paris-Orly. Typically, Vietnam Airlines and Air France operate direct flights, but travelers may also opt for connecting flights with airlines like Qatar Airways, Emirates Airlines, or China Southern Airlines.

The flight duration from Vietnam to Paris is approximately 12 hours for direct flights, and can extend up to 35 hours for routes with 1 to 2 stopovers. Below are some of the ticket prices for popular flight routes to the Louvre Museum in France from Vietnam:

Airfare prices to Paris at the time, excluding taxes and fees (Unit: VND)

From the city center to the museum

The distance from the city center to the museum is only 2.4 km, but there are various public transport options available for visitors to choose from:

• Metro: Visitors can travel to Palais-Royal or Musée du Louvre stations (lines 1 and 7); or Pyramides station (line 14). The metro fare in Paris is around 1.8 EUR per trip (48,240 VND).
• Bus: Several bus lines stop near the Louvre Museum, making it convenient for walking. These include lines 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85, and 95. Visitors can purchase a Paris single ticket to travel multiple stops without paying each time they change stations, starting from 2.5 EUR (67,000 VND).
• Taxi: The drop-off area is at the Carrousel roundabout; the nearest pick-up area is at Place André Malraux. Taxi fares are 0.822 EUR/km (22,030 VND) from 08:00 - 18:00, 1.1 EUR/km (29,480 VND) from 18:00 - 00:00, and 1.33 EUR/km (35,644 VND) after midnight.
• Bicycle: There are bike parking areas near the École du Louvre, Porte des Lions. Visitors can ride bikes and park for free at 1015, 2 Place A. Malraux; 1023, 165 rue Saint-Honoré; 1014, 5 rue de l’Echelle; and 1013, 186 rue Saint-Honoré.

Transport options in Paris, France (Photo: @transit_central)

Map of the Louvre Museum in France

The Louvre Museum spans 210,000 square meters, with approximately 60,000 square meters dedicated to exhibitions. The museum complex is divided into several sections, each focusing on a different theme, such as Ancient Greece, Rome, and Etruria; Ancient Eastern civilizations; Ancient Egypt; Islamic Art; Painting; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; and Graphic Arts.

Map of the Louvre Museum in France (Photo: @elledecoration)

Sully Wing

The Sully Wing is the oldest and most ancient section of the museum, showcasing numerous paintings and artifacts from Ancient Greece, Egypt, and Rome.

The ground floor and first floor display works such as the Turkish bath, Seated Scribe, and Ramesses II. The most famous exhibit is the Venus de Milo sculpture, while beneath this wing are remnants of the medieval Louvre Castle.

Denon Wing

As one of the three main wings, the Denon Wing is named after the first director of the Louvre under Napoleon's reign. It displays 19th-century French art, the Italian Renaissance, and features the iconic Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the highlight of the museum.

Visitors can also find other significant artworks such as the Wedding Feast at Cana, the Consecration of Emperor Napoleon I, the Winged Victory of Samothrace, the Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss, and priceless artifacts from across the globe.

The famous painting of the Mona Lisa (Image: @louvre.fr)

Richelieu Wing

The Richelieu Wing is the final main wing in the Louvre, reflecting the distinct architecture of the French Renaissance period. On the first floor, you will find numerous decorative art pieces, including the renowned Napoleon's Room, a lavish and royal space.

The second floor features medieval paintings such as the Lacemaker and Virgin of Chancellor Rolin. Visitors can also explore valuable 18th-century sculptures and ancient artifacts from the Near East, dating back to the 18th century BCE.

Glass Pyramid

The Glass Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre) in the Cour Napoléon courtyard was part of an expansion project to ease the flow of visitors into the Louvre Museum. Initially, the project faced criticism, with many arguing it disrupted the historic charm of the museum. However, any negative opinions were silenced when the pyramid was completed.

Standing at 21.6 meters tall with a base width of 35.4 meters, the pyramid is made of a carefully crafted steel triangular frame supporting glass panels. These panels not only illuminate the basement area but also serve as a pathway leading visitors down to the museum's exhibition spaces.

The Glass Pyramid at the Louvre Museum (Image: @elledecoration)

Outstanding Artworks at the Museum

Alongside the famous Mona Lisa, let's take a tour around the museum and discover other magnificent masterpieces:

• The Venus de Milo: A famous statue that showcases creativity in ancient art. Venus de Milo was created around 100 BC and represents the goddess Aphrodite, the symbol of beauty and love in Greek mythology.
• The Winged Victory of Samothrace: Also known as the Nike of Samothrace, this sculpture is one of the renowned pieces of classical Greek art from around 190 BC. The finely crafted statue stands in regal form with its flowing robe and expansive wings.
• Amore and Psyche: A sculpture depicting the love god Cupid and the goddess Psyche. Created by Antonio Canova in the 18th century, it is considered one of the most beautiful works of the Renaissance period.
• The Moneylender and His Wife: Completed in 1514 by Quentin Matsys, this painting accurately captures the couple’s facial expressions, eyes, and their careful calculation of each coin.
• Liberty Leading the People: A work by Romantic artist Eugène Delacroix, depicting a woman holding the three-colored French flag, symbolizing freedom leading the people against their oppressors.

Some Iconic Works at the Louvre Museum

Useful tips for visiting the Louvre Museum

With its vast size and enormous number of visitors, touring the Louvre Museum is not just about admiring art masterpieces but also about organizing an effective journey. Here are some helpful tips for visitors to make the most of their experience at the museum:

- The entrance fee for the Louvre Museum in Paris is quite high. However, the museum offers free admission for several groups of people. To save money, visitors can visit the museum after 6 PM on the first Friday of the month (except in July and August).

- The museum is usually most crowded during midday and afternoon. Therefore, it's recommended to start the visit early in the morning. Late evening tends to be quieter, but at that time, the museum is near closing, and visitors will have less time to explore.

- After determining the time, it's crucial to plan the route. With tens of thousands of artworks displayed across multiple sections, it's helpful to consult the museum's map beforehand to navigate easily. Alternatively, visitors can hire a guide when purchasing tickets for an additional cost of 6 EUR (160,800 VND).

- There are various ways to move around, but to optimize time, visitors can follow the specific route from the second floor down to the ground floor as follows:

• Second Floor: Richelieu wing - showcasing French and Northern European paintings.
• Second Floor: Sully wing - displaying French paintings.
• First Floor: Richelieu wing - Napoleon II's room.
• First Floor: Denon wing - featuring Italian, French, and Spanish paintings.
• Ground Floor: Denon wing - exhibiting Italian artifacts and Etruscan civilization.

Interesting facts about the Louvre Museum you might not know.

Visiting the Louvre Museum in France will surely be an inspiring journey as you explore Paris. However, there are some fascinating facts about the museum you may not be aware of.

• The Louvre Museum in France exudes a rich, ancient beauty, so it's no surprise that many people are curious about the modern glass pyramid built outside the courtyard. The glass pyramid, Pyramide du Louvre, was designed by architect Leoh Ming Pei to help alleviate the overwhelming crowd and provide a unique entrance leading to the grand hall below.

The Louvre Museum and its renowned glass pyramid (Photo: @girlstraveladdicted)

• Recognized as one of the largest and most famous art museums globally, the Louvre only displays about 35,000 of the 380,000 artifacts from its various collections at any given time.
• Before becoming a museum, it was built and repurposed for many uses, including as a fortress, palace, exhibition space, and artifact storage. At times, it was even left abandoned and forgotten for long periods.
• One of the most famous relics, always surrounded by long lines of visitors, is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa. For security reasons, this painting is always guarded and displayed inside bulletproof glass. Additionally, her mysterious smile continues to spark attempts at decoding its meaning.
• Inside the museum, there are numerous secret underground passages that were once used by royalty and aristocrats during wartime. Additionally, there’s the Napoleon Tunnel, part of the royal palace, which holds historical significance and offers visitors a deep dive into France's past.

Other famous French landmarks near the museum

The Louvre Museum in Paris is located right in the heart of the capital, offering visitors easy access to many other renowned attractions nearby.

The Seine River

Nestled right next to the Louvre Museum, the Seine River enhances the city's charm and adds to the romantic atmosphere surrounding the historic Louvre. Visitors can stroll along the riverbank, admiring stunning architectural landmarks such as the Alexandre III Bridge and Pont Neuf Bridge.

The peaceful Seine River by the Louvre Museum (Photo: @pngtree)

Notre-Dame Cathedral

Located in the heart of Paris, just 1.7 km away from the Louvre Museum, Notre-Dame Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Paris) is an essential stop on any journey through the City of Light. This iconic Gothic structure, dating back to the early 12th century, is a significant crossroads of culture, religion, and art.

Notre-Dame Cathedral in Paris is famous (Photo: @wiki)

Musée d'Orsay

Situated 2.8 km from the Louvre, the Musée d'Orsay is another renowned art museum located along the Seine. Unlike the ancient charm of the Louvre, the Orsay Museum, established in 1986, offers a contemporary space for art in the forms of sculpture, painting, architecture, photography, and decorative arts.

The Orsay Museum, with its timeless charm and romantic ambiance (Photo: @wiki)

Palais-Royal

Located just 3 km from the Louvre Museum, the Palais-Royal, also known as the Royal Palace, is a remarkable historical monument dating back to the 17th century. It is a hub for art lovers, regularly hosting exhibitions and cultural events, and showcases historical markers through its flower gardens, fountains, and the famous Les Deux Plateaux sculpture.

Cung điện Palais Royal cổ kính (Ảnh: @thelander.com)

Lưu trú ở đâu khi tham quan bảo tàng

Xung quanh bảo tàng Louvre Pháp có rất nhiều khách sạn từ 2 đến 5 sao với mức giá vô cùng đa dạng tùy theo thời điểm. Du khách có thể tham khảo một số địa điểm cụ thể dưới đây:

Khách sạn lưu trú gần khu vực bảo tàng Louvre, giá tham khảo tại thời điểm (Đơn vị: VNĐ)

Không chỉ là nơi lưu giữ những dấu ấn văn hóa lịch sử đỉnh cao của Pháp, bảo tàng Louvre ở Paris còn tượng trưng cho nhịp sống của đất nước này qua từng bức tranh, từng nét tượng. Mỗi kiệt tác lại như đang kể một câu chuyện riêng, những câu chuyện gắn liền với hành trình hàng ngàn năm lịch sử đợi bạn khám phá.

Author: Dung Nguyễn

Image source: Internet