Louvre free entry, hours, tickets and the best time to avoid crowds
Quick answer
The Louvre costs €22 for EEA visitors and €32 for everyone else, and is free for under 18s, EEA residents under 26, all visitors on the first Friday of the month from 18:00 (except July and August) and on 14 July. The best time to avoid crowds is 9am, or late on Wednesdays and Fridays.
Hours and prices checked on · Official website
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How free entry at the Louvre works
The museum recommends that all visitors book a time slot, including those entering free. Do it on the official website: without one you may face a line or even full capacity. Bring ID (passport or national ID) if you qualify by age or residency.
- First Friday of the month: free from 18:00, except in July and August. It is one of the busiest slots, so book early.
- 14 July (Bastille Day): free for everyone, and very busy.
- Under 18s and EEA citizens or residents under 26: no need to wait for a particular date; you get in free any day the museum is open.
- If you arrive late in a free slot, remember last entry is 1 hour before closing.
Best time to visit the Louvre to avoid crowds
- At 9am opening with a booked slot: the first 45 minutes are the calmest.
- Wednesday and Friday after 18:00: the museum stays open until 21:00 and crowds tend to thin as the evening goes on.
- Avoid weekend middays and public holidays, when the Pyramid and security queues build up.
- Outside high season (November to March, school holidays aside) the visit is much more comfortable.
Where to buy tickets
Buy only from the official website (louvre.fr or ticketing.louvre.fr) to avoid reseller mark-ups. With your ticket and time slot booked you skip the ticket-office line, though you will still go through security. The official audio guide is rented separately; as an alternative, the AnyArt app recognises artworks with your camera and tells their story in your language.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Louvre free on Sundays?
No. Sundays are paid admission unless you are under 18 or an EEA citizen or resident under 26. Free days are the first Friday of the month from 18:00 (except July and August) and 14 July.
Do children pay at the Louvre?
No. Under 18s get in free, as do EEA citizens or residents under 26.
What time is last entry at the Louvre?
1 hour before closing, and rooms are cleared 30 minutes before. On a day closing at 18:00, last entry is at 17:00.
Is the Louvre open on Mondays?
Yes. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December; otherwise it is open.
How much is a Louvre ticket in 2026?
€22 for EEA visitors and €32 for everyone else, per the prices in force from 14 January 2026. Confirm on the official website before your visit.