New hotel
Louvre Palace and Museum Paris
Louvre Palace and Museum
Louvre Palace and Museum Paris
Housed in the former Louvre Palace on the right bank of the Seine, the Louvre Museum is today the most visited museum in the world. With 135,000 m² of palace and nearly 60,000 m² of exhibition space, it is also the largest palace in Europe.
A palace built over more than eight centuries
The Louvre was built over more than 800 years, through the succession of different political regimes. It originally began as a fortress built in the early 13th century under King Philip Augustus.
In the 16th century, Francis I decided to turn the site into a royal palace, a project continued by Henry II and completed by Henry III. The palace was then enriched over successive reigns: the Tuileries Palace commissioned by Catherine de’ Medici in 1563, the Pavillon de Flore under Henry IV, the Pavillon de l’Horloge under Louis XIII in 1624, and finally the wings of the Cour Carrée under Louis XIV — who ultimately abandoned the Louvre in favour of Versailles at the end of the 17th century.
From royal palace to museum
The Louvre became a museum in 1793. In the early 19th century, under Napoleon I and later Napoleon III, the palace underwent further transformations. After the fire linked to the events of 1870, the site was restored and served, among other things, as the seat of the Ministry of Finance until 1889.
The pyramid and the contemporary transformation
At the end of the 20th century, the Louvre was extensively modernised under President François Mitterrand. This is when the famous glass pyramid, inaugurated in 1989 and designed by architect Ieoh Ming Pei, was added — it has since become the museum’s main entrance and a powerful symbol of the site.
Exceptional collections
The Louvre takes visitors on a journey through eras, civilisations and art forms: Near Eastern, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman antiquities, paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, Islamic art, and works on paper. Around 35,000 works are on permanent display, including unmissable masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.
Preparing your visit
The Louvre is a true artistic treasure trove: depending on your interests, you may need several hours or even several days to fully enjoy it. Dining options are available on site. The visit combines easily with the Tuileries Garden, the Seine quays or the Musée d’Orsay.
Getting there from your Paris hotels
Easy access by metro
Stations: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre
Pedestrian access via the Seine quays
Practical information
Louvre Palace and Museum
75001 Paris
Phone: +33 1 40 20 50 50
Open every day except Tuesday — Opening hours vary by season
Looking to extend the experience? New Hotel Opera welcomes you in Paris for a comfortable stay close to this must-see spot.
FAQ – Louvre Paris
How much time should I allow to visit the Louvre?
At least 2 to 3 hours, or even a full day.
Do I need to book in advance?
Yes, strongly recommended.
Which is the main entrance?
The Louvre Pyramid.
Is the museum suitable for children?
Yes, with dedicated trails and educational materials.
