Practicalities and Survival at the Louvre
From Paris Hotels Reviews
Tales of queues outside the Pyramide, miles of energy-sapping corridors and paparazzi-style jostles in front of the Mona Lisa can leave you feeling somewhat intimidated by the Louvre before you’ve even set foot in the palace. The following practical information and survival tips should help to make the most of the visit.
On fine days, queueing for the main entrance at the Pyramide at least gives you time to appreciate the geometric pyramids and fountains of the Cour Napoleon. If it’s raining or the queues look too long it’s worth making for the alternative entrances: via the Porta des Lions, just east of the Pont Royal (closes at 5pm), or directly under the Arc du Carrousel; the latter can also be accessed from 99 rue de Rivoil and from the line #1 platform of the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre metro stop. If you’ve already got a ticket or a museum pass you can also enter from the Passage Richelleu. Disabled access is via the futuristic rising and sinking column in the middle of the Pyramide; visitors with limited mobility can also apply to visit on a Tuesday (call 01.40.20.59.90) – in which case you’ll have the Louvre almost to yourself.
Opening hours for the permanent collection are 9am to 6pm every day except Tuesday (and January 1, May 1 and May 8), when the entire museum is closed. On Wednesdays and Fridays the museum stays open till 9:45pm. Almost a quarter of the museum’s rooms are closed one day a week on a rotating basis, so if you’re interested in a particular section it’s worth checking the schedule on the museum noticeboards or online at www.louvre.fr, thought the most popular rooms are always open.
The entry fee is €9. Under-18s get in free at all times, and on the first Sunday of each month admission is free for everyone. Tickets can be bought in advance from branches of FNAC, Virgin Megastore (conveniently, there’s one right outside the entrance under the Aro du Carrousel) and the big Parisian department stores: Le Bon Marché, Printemps, Galeries Lafayette and BHV. You can also buy tickets by calling 08.92.68.46.94 or online via www.louvre.fr, but as you have to go to a FNAC to pick them up anyway it’s hardly worth it.
Your ticket allows you to step outside for a break, though the museum itself has three beautiful and only moderately overpriced cafes. The elegantly modern and relatively quiet Cafe Richelieu (first floor, Richelieu) has a wonderful summer-only terrace with the view of the Pyramide. Cafe Denon (lower ground floor, Denon) is small and cosy. Cafe Mollien (first floor, Denon) is much the busiest but also has a summer terrace. The various cafés and restaurants under the Pyramide itself are mostly noisy and unpleasant.
Don’t attempt to see too much – even if you spent the entire day here you’d only see a fraction of the collection. If you want to explore the Louvre in peace, stay away from the Denon wing or, best of all, time your visit to coincide with the evening openings on Wednesdays and Fridays.
