The Louvre: A First-Timer's Guide to the World's Largest Museum
How to see the highlights of the Louvre without getting lost — must-see works, ticket tips, and how to avoid the biggest crowds.
The World's Largest Art Museum
The Louvre holds roughly 35,000 works on display at any given time, out of a collection of more than 480,000 — a scale that makes it genuinely impossible to see in a single visit. Most first-time visitors come specifically for a handful of headline works, above all the Mona Lisa, and then let the rest of the visit be more exploratory.
Must-See Works (If You're Short on Time)
| Work | Wing | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Mona Lisa | Denon, Room 711 | Da Vinci's most famous painting, and the museum's biggest draw |
| Venus de Milo | Sully, Ground Floor | A defining example of ancient Greek sculpture |
| Winged Victory of Samothrace | Denon staircase | A dramatic Hellenistic sculpture, displayed at the top of a staircase |
| Liberty Leading the People | Denon, Room 700 | Delacroix's iconic painting of the July Revolution |
Beating the Crowds
The Mona Lisa's room is consistently the most crowded spot in the museum, especially late morning through early afternoon. Arriving right at opening, or visiting on a Wednesday or Friday evening (when the museum stays open until 9:45pm with noticeably thinner crowds), are both effective ways to avoid the worst of it.
The Carrousel du Louvre underground entrance (via the shopping mall) is usually far less crowded than the main pyramid entrance, especially for ticket holders who've already booked online.
