Six things you may not have known about the Louvre (you’ll love the last one)

How can you talk about museums in Paris without mentioning the Louvre? This huge museum, with thousands of visitors every year, is well worth a visit. Discover six things you need to know about the Louvre.

Bénédicte Vicent • July 9, 2024

The Louvre is an exceptional museum. Thousands of people visit it every year! But do you really know everything about this museum? Here are six things you need to know about the Louvre. And believe us, you’re in for a surprise!

1 – The oldest work in the Louvre is over 9,000 years old

Incredibly, the oldest work in the Louvre is over 9,000 years old. The Ain Ghazal statue, located in the Department of Near Eastern Antiquities, was discovered in 1980 in Jordan. We don’t know what it represents or what it was used for.

2 – You can enter the museum free of charge all year round (subject to certain conditions)

Yes, you don’t need to break the piggy bank to admire the Venus de Milo or the Mona Lisa. Are you under 18 and French? Are you under 26 and a European citizen? You can visit the Louvre all year round free of charge ! Just show your identity card as proof. Ain’t life grand?

3 – The Mona Lisa is the work that most disappoints visitors

The Mona Lisa and her crowd of admirers — Sipa/Vincent Loison

Leonardo da Vinci’s work is world-famous and admired every year. But it would also be the work that most disappointed visitors. According to the CouponBird website, 37.1% of those surveyed mentioned it as disappointing, compared with an average of 19.2% for the other 100 works of art in the ranking. The ever-growing crowds in front of this masterpiece would discourage some… The Mona Lisa is nonetheless a must-see for your first visit to the Louvre.

4 – The world’s largest museum

visit paris in a day itineraries ideas tips tourism travel louvre — The Louvre: things to know

With its 360,000^m2 including 72,735^m2 of galleries, the Louvre is the world’s largest museum. Suffice it to say, you’ll need more than a day to visit it in its entirety. All the more reason to return again and again!

5 – Night tours every Friday

Free Louvre Museum Night in Paris July 3 — things to know Louvre

Did you know? When night falls, you can enjoy a unique guided tour in one of the museum’s flagship collections. These tours, in French only, take place every Friday from 7.30pm. A magical moment not to be missed. Don’t forget to make a reservation.

6 – The museum is free every July 14 and every first Friday of the month for everyone

While the Louvre is free all year round under certain conditions, it is free for everyone on Mondays july 14th and every first Friday of the month after 6pm (except July and August). So what are you waiting for?