A comprehensive guide to the first visit to the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum attracts millions of visitors from all over the world every year and has more than 35,000 works of art and history on display. The first visit to this great museum may be challenging for many people; But with a good planning and knowledge of different parts of the museum, you can have a unique and enjoyable experience.

Why is the Louvre Museum one of the most important museums in the world?

The Louvre Museum was originally built as a royal palace for the kings of France and later became a public museum. The building’s long history, along with the unique works of art it houses, has made it one of the main attractions in Paris. Visiting the Louvre Museum is an opportunity to learn about the art and history of the world from ancient times to modern times.

This museum contains works of art from various civilizations, including ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome, the Middle Ages and the Renaissance to contemporary art. No matter what period or style of art you’re interested in, there’s something for everyone at the Louvre.

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Buying tickets: different ways to buy tickets

To avoid crowds and save time, it is better to buy museum tickets online in advance. You can buy regular tickets from the official website of the Louvre Museum or use the services of other websites such as “GetYourGuide” and “Tiqets” that also offer special features such as special tours or special access.

Also, if you plan to visit the museum on busy days, VIP tickets or private tours can be good options that allow you to get inside the museum without delay and have a more comfortable and uncrowded visit.

For visitors who plan to visit several museums and other attractions in Paris, it is recommended to purchase the “Paris Museum Pass” card, which allows you to access several museums, including the Louvre.

Key points about the best time to visit the Louvre Museum

The Louvre is open most days of the week, but if you want to avoid the crowds, it’s best to visit in the early morning or late afternoon on weekdays. Visitors who prefer to visit the museum at night can also choose Wednesday and Friday nights when the museum is open until 9:45 pm.

If you wish to visit at a quieter time, avoid visiting on French public holidays and weekends. Mondays and Thursdays are usually more crowded than other days of the week, so Tuesday or Wednesday mornings can be considered the best time to visit.

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Getting to know the different parts of the Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum consists of three main wings: Ricciello, Denon and Sully. These wings have works of art from different periods and civilizations, which we will introduce each of these parts below.

• Richelieu Wing: This section is dedicated to displaying a collection of old European paintings, especially the works of Dutch and Flemish painters. Also, in this wing, there are some works of Islamic art and sculptures from different periods.
• Denon Wing: This is one of the most popular parts of the museum, and famous works such as the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace are on display here. Italian and French paintings, especially Renaissance works, are also in this section.
• Sully Wing: This section contains works of art related to ancient civilizations, including works of ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome. If you are interested in ancient history, you should not miss the antiquities section of the Louvre Museum.

Planning a visit: how to make the best use of your time?

Due to the size of the museum and the large number of works of art, many visitors feel confused on their first visit. To avoid this problem, it is suggested to plan in advance and prioritize the parts that are most interesting to you.

Tips for better planning:

• Selection of original works: Some famous works such as Mona Lisa and Venus Milo are among the most popular works of the museum, which many visitors consider as the priority of their visit.
• Visit less crowded areas: If you are interested in history and antiquities, visiting the ancient Egypt section or the Islamic art gallery can be a different experience and away from the crowd of the popular sections.
• Using audio guides: The Louvre has an app with audio guides that help you learn more about each section and artwork. These guides are available in several languages, including English and French.

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Works of art you should not miss

Considering the huge number of works of art in the Louvre, you may not have enough time to visit them all. Here are some of the most important works of art to see on your first visit to the Louvre:

• Mona Lisa: This painting by Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most famous works of art in the world because of his mysterious smile. This work is exhibited in Denon Gallery and usually a large crowd gathers around it.
• Winged Victory of Samothrace: This Greek statue, located at the end of the Denon Corridor, is one of the most magnificent antiquities in the Louvre Museum.
• Venus de Milo: A statue of the Greek goddess of love and beauty that is located in the ancient Greek section and is one of the most famous statues in the world.
• The Coronation of Napoleon: This huge painting by Jacques-Louis David depicts the moment of Napoleon Bonaparte’s coronation and is located in the Denon section.

Important tips for your first visit to the Louvre

• Wear comfortable clothes: Visiting the Louvre Museum can take several hours, so bring comfortable clothes and shoes suitable for long walks.
• Pay attention to the rest time: There are various cafes and restaurants in the museum where you can take time to rest and refresh during your visit.
• Bring the map of the museum with you: The Louvre Museum is huge and without a map you may have trouble finding the different parts. You can download the museum map from the official website or use the printed version available at the museum entrance.

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The experience of a night visit to the Louvre Museum

One of the unique offers to visit the Louvre Museum is the night visit experience. The museum is open until 9:45 pm on Wednesday and Friday nights, and these hours are usually quieter than during the day. Visiting works of art in the night lighting and in a quieter atmosphere can be a different and special experience.

Buying souvenirs from the Louvre Museum

After visiting the artworks, you can visit the various museum shops that offer a variety of souvenirs and art books. Some of the souvenirs include art prints, small sculptures, and hard copies of famous art books. These stores are located in different parts of the museum as well as at the main entrance.

Visiting the Louvre Museum is an opportunity to learn about world art and history. With careful planning and knowing the different parts of the museum, you can enjoy this experience in the best possible way.