Musée du Louvre: bookings, entrances, rules and accessibility

To visit the Musée du Louvre without relying on outdated information, start with the official booking service, choose an entrance that matches your situation and check baggage and accessibility rules before travelling. The broadest arrival reference is the Pyramid, the main entrance for individual visitors. The Carrousel is at 99, rue de Rivoli; Richelieu is on rue de Rivoli; and Porte des Lions is on Quai François Mitterrand, all in Paris. Because hours, prices, available rooms and entrance conditions can change, verify them on the official pages on the day of your visit.

Book before arranging the rest of the day

The Louvre recommends booking a time slot, including for visitors eligible for free admission. On-site sales may be available when attendance is low, but they are subject to availability and therefore provide an uncertain basis for a day involving travel and other commitments. Consult the hours and admission page and use only the official ticketing service identified by the museum.

The institution warns visitors about mirror websites, street vendors and offers claiming to provide queue-jumping tickets. Admission may be refused when a ticket was purchased through an illicit channel. Before paying, check the domain, date and selected category.

The official FAQ says that a ticket is valid only for the selected date and time and, as a rule, cannot be modified, exchanged or refunded. Read the conditions before completing the purchase. Visitors entitled to free admission should also select the appropriate option and carry valid supporting documents.

Match the entrance to your situation

Do not assume that the four entrances are interchangeable. On its map, entrances and directions page, the museum identifies the Pyramid as the main access point for individual visitors, with separate queues for people holding a ticket or Paris Museum Pass, people without tickets and those with priority access.

The Carrousel, at 99, rue de Rivoli, serves groups, members and ticket holders. Richelieu is reserved for specified visitors, including groups, participants in museum activities, auditorium ticket holders and certain members or accredited professionals. Porte des Lions, on Quai François Mitterrand, requires an admission ticket and does not provide equipment loans. Check the official map shortly before arrival for each entrance’s opening status and access conditions.

For navigating the city, the same page lists Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre and Pyramides stations, bus routes, bicycle stations, taxi points, Batobus and the underground car park entered at 1 Avenue du Général Lemonnier. Confirm service on the day with the relevant transport operator.

Check baggage and photography rules before leaving

Every visitor undergoes a security check. Under the museum rules, suitcases and large bags are not admitted; any item exceeding 55 × 35 × 20 cm is refused in both the reception area and exhibition rooms. Free lockers are available for smaller items, which must be collected on the same day. Travellers should therefore arrange to leave their luggage elsewhere before visiting.

Personal photography and video are permitted in the permanent collections, but flash, lighting and selfie sticks are prohibited. Temporary exhibitions may restrict images of certain works. Eating, drinking, smoking, running, touching artworks and making excessive noise are also prohibited in the galleries.

Animals are not admitted, except guide or assistance dogs under the museum’s stated conditions. The rules page also contains an extensive list of prohibited objects; consult it if you are carrying tools, aerosols or any unusual item.

Include accessibility in the booking plan

The accessibility page states that disabled visitors and one accompanying person receive free admission with supporting documents and priority access to reception areas and ticket checkpoints. Advance time-slot booking is strongly advised to guarantee admission during busy periods.

At the Pyramid, the underground lobby can be reached by escalator or the central lift. This lift is reserved for disabled visitors, wheelchair users and visitors with prams. In exchange for identification, the museum provides equipment including wheelchairs, canes, folding stools, multifunctional rolling chairs and sensory bags.

The Assistance area beneath the Pyramid can help plan a route. The public accessibility register is also available there on request. Because rooms may close on the day, check the room-closure schedule and seek advice at the information desk. For individual requirements, use the form or telephone numbers published on the official page before visiting.

Complete a final check on the day

Reopen the admission, entrance and accessibility pages. Confirm the hours for the relevant date, the status of the intended entrance, any room closures and the documents needed for free or priority admission. A museum map is available from the information desks for internal navigation, but it does not replace this check.

Decide what you want to see before entering as every exit is final under the official rules. Keep tickets and supporting documents readily available and be prepared for security screening. The photographs in this article show the building and past situations; they do not confirm that an entrance is currently open or free of queues.