My Real Experience For Getting Tickets to The Louvre

Today I am going to talk about a Museum for the first time. The Louvre Museum of Paris is one of the most beautiful Museums in the world. Let’s explore the hidden facts about this Museum. 

There is an essence in Paris that seems to forgive the Appointed Time – it is as though the city has been battered and built a new sorry each year for a lifetime of a thousand over worn cobblestones and a few unuttered words in every quick sprouting bar and architectural intersection. 

This time, as I was organizing the trip, I knew there is one place that I could not skip – photo Louvre. After all, which person travels to Paris, without paying homage and dumbfounded at the Mona Lisa, correct?

If you have ever wondered, ‘how to get tickets to the Louvre’, I must tell you that the first time and maybe other times as well this may appear to be a complicated procedure. 

Well, I have picked up some tips to ease the process. So, grab a coffee, and let me take you through my experiences of one of the most beautiful and extravagant art institutions of the world, first getting those precious tickets and then strolling around its gorgeous interiors.

Arriving in Paris: A City of Dreams

Touching the ground in Paris gives quite a sensation as if it is a walk in a movie- the structures, the ambiance, everything draws one’s attention. I reached in the morning about the break of dawn, when the metropolis still seemed to be waking up. Once I checked into the hotel (more about that later), I was eager to begin my voyage.

It felt exhilarating as I imagined the first actual view of the Louvre in real life. I must admit that I had done my homework, read all the guides, bookmarked the best way to see the Louvre, and even read about French history.

But nothing truly prepares you for the moment when you finally stand before those wonderful glass pyramids, with the blue sky of Paris behind them.

The Evolution of the Louvre Museum: How Did it All Begin

As many know, the Musée du Louvre has not always been the gallery of masterpieces that it is today. It was a medieval fort built by King Philippe Auguste in the second half of the twelfth century in order to defend the city of Paris from its enemies. 

Eventually, it transformed from a royal palace to the famous French art museum we know today, with all monarchs and emperors leaving their traces on its architecture and its collection.

It was on that day, the French revolution reached the point of declaring the Louvre as a national and public space. It dedicated itself to the culture, art, and civilization of the people in offering something new, something that had never been extended to the masses before. 

Knowing this piece of history made my visit feel even more significant to me, as if any rather I was stepping into a place that had seen centuries of change, art, and revolution.

Guidelines for Ensuring Booking of Your Louvre Tickets: Where to Begin

However, logistics is another issue to discuss. If you’re curious when can I buy Louvre tickets, the rule is roughly around 90 days B-4 the date of your visit. 

However, I suggest that if there is a need to get tickets, do so way earlier than the event to avoid all this hectic especially when one is intending to visit during peak seasons such as summer.

I chose to book my tickets from the Louvre Museum tickets official site, such that I did not have to stand in the long queues at the entrance. There’s also an alternative of Louvre skip the line’s access guided visits, which I seriously thought about (and in hindsight probably should have done it). 

These guided visits enable one to skip the queues but more importantly, one gets to learn a lot about the great collections in the museum.

Very well, for budgetary travelers, for a free visit to The Louvre on the first Sunday of each month. But fair warning, it tends to get really busy! If you want something calmer, I would visit in the middle of a weekday afternoon, or do a private tour of the louvre.

Experiencing the Louvre: The Unmissable Aspects

Once inside, it is difficult not to be disoriented as there is a lot to be seen. With an impressive collection of more than 38,000 art pieces, such as the remains of ancient Egyptian civilizations and Renaissance paintings, one cannot fathom what to do. 

I had a little list prepared of the top things to see at the Louvre, and while I think it is not a sustained exploration at least I came across the following things that made for a rather enjoyable visit:

• Mona Lisa: Of course, every visitor continues hoping to see the immortal lady with the delicate smile painted by the genius great Leonardo da Vinci. Yet it is small, more than what one expects, though the atmosphere in the room is electric.

• Venus de Milo: Another ancient sculpture hailing from Greece is the Venus de Milo that one must certainly add to the list. Even with people clustered around its circumference, there is a poised posture about its form that seems to capture it in between action.

• The Winged Victory of Samothrace: The moment I saw this statue which stood at the apex of a glorious staircase, it literally amazed me. It seemed so real that it was soaring in the air and not made out of stone.

• The Raft of the Medusa: Otherwise known as one of the most seeking paintings in the Louvre, a thrill seeking piece by painter Théodore Géricault depicts the drama of a hapless shipwrecked crew and their desperate struggle against all odds.

If you have a limited amount of time to see the Louvre for 2 hours, I’d like to offer you a few highlights you may want to look for on the Denon Wing. Discussing the Louvre’s layout, it can be somewhat of a labyrinth so make sure you take a map to help you out, or even better, engage in a Louvre Museum guided tour.

Where to Stay Near the Louvre

Let’s now get to the most, ahem, reasonable question after a long and action-packed day of art sightings – where do I sleep. I, for example, booked a room at Hôtel Le Relais du Louvre, a delightful designer hotel a few steps away from the museum. 

There is no denying that the location of the hotel right next to the Louvre museum is ideal, especially if someone is planning early morning visits.

For those who want to have a bit more of a decadent stay, Le Meurice is another wonderful alternative. This hotel has five stars, upscale rooms as well as facilities and service, to top it all off it is a brisk walk from the museum. 

For budget travelers, I would recommend Hôtel Odyssey by Elegancia, to those who want to be in close proximity to the Louvre and have beautiful but low-cost hotel rooms.

Parisian Food Tours and What You Shouldn’t Miss

Well, anyone who has ever been to Paris knows that Parisians know how to prepare whatever they want and so, cuisine has to be sampled. After spending the day at the Louvre, I decided to have supper at Le Fumoir, a delightful brasserie and bistro just next to the museum. 

The atmosphere was absolutely perfect – flattering candlelight, stylish interior and odors of herring soup, duck confit and crème brûlée wafting in the air. The waiter could well have been a Michelin star chef with his stunning Rosemary and onion soup, which was the best that I have ever tasted.

When you want to shift from indulging in fancy appetizers and mains, for a relaxed lunch visit Café Marly, and enjoy a spectacular view of the Louvre Pyramid. 

Nutrition includes tasty French dishes, and it’s an excellent place to seek respite after walking around the Louvre’s courtyard.

Some Useful Information for the Visit to Louvre Museum

Also, when planning your visit to any sight, it is worthy to note the following:

• Budget: As most adults above 18 can buy a Louvre ticket at €17, this is usually the price offered online for that category of visitors. Well, as I described the first Sunday, free entry to guests is required on the first Sunday of, the first Sunday of each month is free to all visitors, too. This goes for students and EU nationals under 26, when there are no ticket fees all year round.

• Transportation: The Meteor is situated at a center half mile away. This makes it easy for you to reach the Louvre by use of the Metro (Line 1 or 7) to Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre station. 

If you are sightseeing to other places like the Eiffel Tower for instance, one would ask how many minutes are we away from the Eiffel Tower paraphrase. If one can walk, it is approximately a 40-minute journey while a taxi takes about 15 minutes.

• Time of Year: This results in a situation whereby many tourists tend to flock to the Louvre during summer periods and it may not be very pleasant for some people. If you want to have some peace and quiet, for this reason, I would advise you to come in autumn or winter. Paris during these times retains its sparkle but with many less tourists and a warm feel to it.

Why the Louvre Should Be on Your Travel Bucket List

Through the years, I, somehow, wish to relive once again or, ‘bring myself back to’ this overwhelming experience. The Louvre is no mere ordinary museum, but rather throughout history, it’s a museum, a work of art, and indeed every single one of us had been traveling back in time. 

Arts, history and pure curiosity – one cannot leave this place without every single one having something to offer.

Thus, the next time you visit Paris, make plans to visit the exposition of the icons, the Louvre Museum. Believe me, it is worth each one.