12 things you must see in the Louvre | France
Discover the best tips for visiting the Louvre Museum in Paris. From iconic masterpieces like the Mona Lisa to hidden gems, explore must-see art, practical advice, and how to make the most of your visit to this world-renowned museum. Here are my must-sees when in the Louvre in Paris!
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Make sure to buy your ticket in advance as the waiting line is super long!
Warning: First of all, the Louvre doesn’t work with level per level. You have 3 buildings: Richelieu, Denon & Sully. You have to choose 1 and visit everything you want to see in that specific building. Then go to the next building etc. You can’t visit artworks on level 2 of Richelieu AND level 2 of Sully in one. No can do! With your Louvre ticket, you can see every building from the Louvre. Don’t buy 3 tickets.
Sully Building
1) Louis XIV by Hyacinthe Rigaud
Room 916, level 2
The painting of the “Sun King” (1701) was a gift for Philip V of Spain but due to the beauty of it, Louis XIV kept it. The painting shows the absolute power of the King with his impressive robes and royal symbols.
Fun Fact: A smaller size of this painting can be found in Versailles.
2) Venus de Milo
Room 346, Level 0
The Venus de Milo is one of the most famous sculptures of ancient Greek. The statue is Aphrodite, the goddess of love and beauty. She was found on the island Milos.
Denon Building
3) Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa
Room 711, Level 1
If you want to see the Mona Lisa, expect a waiting line. You’ll have to wait 15 minutes if you want a photo right in front of the Mona Lisa, otherwise, you can just take a photo from the side.
Sad Fact: The Mona Lisa was once stolen and missing for 2 years! It was a guard from the Louvre who stole it.
Fun Fact: The eyes of Mona Lisa are always following you if you move in the room. That’s what makes the painting special.
4) Winged Victory of Samothrace
Room 703, Level 0
The Winged Victory of Samothrace, aka Nike of Samothrace, is a marble sculpture of the goddess of victory (Nike).
5) French Crown Jewels
Room 705, Level 1
Love, love, love, love! The crown jewels are so beautiful! The Crown of Louis XV has 2 rows of pearls and 8 gems (emeralds, sapphires, rubies, and topazes) with sparkling diamonds. The arches of the crown are decorated with diamond lily flowers, the emblem of French monarchs.
Fun Fact: Each king had a custom crown embellished with precious jewels.
The Regent Diamond is a 140-carat diamond and is celebrated for being the most brilliant diamond for its perfection. The Tiara of Duchesse of Angouleme is also stunning with all the diamonds and emeralds.
The crown of the Empress Eugenie is also a masterpiece. It has 2.480 diamonds and 56 emeralds! Wow! (the one in the background on your right).
6) The Raft of the Medusa
Room 700, Level 1
A french boat wrecked due to poor navigation just off the coast of Mauritius. 151 sailors survived the wreckage but only 15 sailors survived on the raft of Medusa due to cannibalism.
7) Liberty Leading the People
Room 700, Level 1
This painting is very famous as we see Lady Liberté waving the Tri-colored French flag (red = liberty, white = equality, and blue = fraternity). Lady Liberté, Marianne, represents the triumph of the republic over the monarchy.
Fun Fact: This painting was once on the 100 Franc bill (the currency of France before joining the EU).
8) The Coronation of Napoleon
Room 700, Level 1
The painting of the Coronation of Napoleon is very famous. The painting is 9×6 meters and was commissioned by Napoleon himself. Another copy can be seen in Versailles.
9) Psyche Revived by Cupid’s Kiss
Room 410, Level 0
Antonio Canova was an Italian master of marble carving. He carved the love story between Psyche and Cupid out of one piece of marble.
Richelieu Building
10) Chevaux de Marly
Richelieu, level -1
These marble statues were commissioned by King Louis XIV. The sculptures are horses restrained by grooms and symbolize the struggle between man and nature.
Fun Fact: This room is quite cool so this is the best place to have a break in the Louvre.
11) A Magnificent Royal Palace Fit for the King of France
level 1 room 544
The palace of Louvre was once a fortress and the royal palace. Napoleon III also stayed at Louvre and you can visit his apartments; the Grand Salon and the Dining Room. I found these rooms super beautiful! If you can’t go to Versailles, make sure to go to the Louvre and check out these rooms!
Another must-see is the Galerie d’Apollon. This hall was the model for the Hall of Mirrors in Versailles.
Fun Fact: The Hall of Mirrors is more impressive.
12) Pyramid
Entrance
The Louvre had problems to welcome all visitors and asked I.M. Pei to create a brand new main entrance. He made the Large glass pyramid (surrounded by 3 smaller ones). There was a lot of controversy about the pyramids but they are now worldly loved.
Fun Fact: Don’t forget to check out the reversed pyramid on your way out!
TIPS
- Don’t buy food in the Louvre, it’s really expensive.
- Don’t dress too warm, it gets really hot in the museum!
- Bring a small bottle of water with you
- Watch out for pickpockets!
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Life of a Passion
3 Comments
Louise
Ik kende het Louvre vooral van de Mona Lisa, maar er valt duidelijk véél meer te ontdekken! De vertrekken van Napoleon III zien er fantastisch uit, net als Franse kroonjuwelen.
Life of a Passion
Dankje Louise! Ga ze zeker bekijken wanneer je nog eens in Parijs bent!
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