Louvre Museum

Paris, Franceattractions

The Louvre is one of those places that genuinely earns its reputation, though nothing quite prepares you for the scale of it. Spread across a former royal palace on the Right Bank, the museum houses somewhere in the region of 35,000 objects across three vast wings — Richelieu, Sully, and Denon — and attempting to see everything in a single visit is a fool's errand. The glass pyramid entrance, designed by I. M. Pei, remains striking even after all these years, and the underground hall below it is far more functional and spacious than you might expect. The collection spans ancient Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman sculpture, Islamic art, and European paintings from the medieval period through to the mid-19th century. The Mona Lisa draws enormous crowds into the Denon wing's Salle des États — you'll likely be viewing it from several metres away behind a barrier — but the Winged Victory of Samothrace and the Venus de Milo are arguably more rewarding experiences, with space to actually stand and absorb them. Tickets cost around €22 for adults and must be booked online in advance; walk-up queues can add an hour or more to your day. Entry is free on the first Saturday evening of each month. The museum is closed on Tuesdays. Getting there is straightforward via the Palais Royal–Musée du Louvre metro station on lines 1 and 7. Wear comfortable shoes without question — marble floors are unforgiving over several hours — and bring water. Arriving when the museum opens at 9am on a weekday, particularly Wednesday or Friday when it stays open until 9.45pm, gives you the best chance of a calmer, more rewarding visit.

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