The Louvre Museum in Paris is both a vast art collection and a former royal palace, with roots in a fortress built in the late 12th century. Its long history is visible in everything from medieval foundations to the lavish Napoleon III apartments. In the Cour Napoléon, I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid, unveiled in 1989, makes a striking counterpoint to the palace’s pale stone façades.
The collection ranges from Egyptian antiquities and ancient Greek sculpture to European paintings of the 19th century. The Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace draw the biggest crowds, but they are only a starting point. Seek out Géricault’s monumental The Raft of the Medusa, or wander through the Dutch and Flemish painting galleries for a different perspective on the museum.
Book a timed-entry ticket online in advance, particularly during busy travel periods, and allow time for security checks even with a reservation. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays; check the museum’s website for current opening hours and any gallery closures. Rather than trying to see everything, choose one or two wings or follow a themed visitor trail, leaving room for discoveries along the way.