Top Mistakes Tourists Make at the Louvre, And How to Prevent Them

Visiting the Louvre for the first time is an incredible experience, but a few simple errors can quickly turn a perfect day into a stressful one, here’s what you need to know to enjoy your visit smoothly.

🎟️ 1. Arriving Without a Ticket

The most common mistake is reaching the museum without a pre-booked ticket.

The Louvre is one of the busiest museums in the world, welcoming over 8 million guests every year, tickets sell out fast, especially during peak seasons and weekends.

✅ Solution: Always reserve your Louvre tickets online before you arrive. It guarantees your entry time and can save you up to an hour of waiting.

🗓️ 2. Going on the Wrong Day

Many visitors forget that the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays and end up finding the doors locked.

✅ Solution: Plan your Louvre visit for any day except Tuesday. For smaller crowds, arrive early or choose a Louvre evening visit on Wednesday or Friday.

🧭 3. Trying to See Everything

With more than 35,000 works on display, the Louvre is enormous. Trying to cover the entire museum in one visit is impossible and leads to fatigue.

✅ Solution: Prioritize key highlights such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory of Samothrace, and follow an efficient route like a Louvre Express Tour.

👟 4. Wearing the Wrong Shoes

Paris may inspire stylish outfits, but the Louvre involves walking several kilometers.

✅ Solution: Wear lightweight, comfortable shoes. Your feet will appreciate it long before you reach the Denon Wing.

📸 5. Spending Too Much Time at the Mona Lisa

Everyone wants a photo, but the Mona Lisa gallery becomes crowded quickly, and staying too long can take up a big part of your visit.

✅ Solution: Admire her briefly, take your photo, and continue to other nearby masterpieces like The Coronation of Napoleon or Liberty Leading the People.

🧳 6. Carrying Large Bags

Large backpacks, umbrellas, and suitcases are not allowed inside the exhibition spaces.

✅ Solution: Use the free cloakroom near the main entrance to store your items before exploring the galleries.

🕐 7. Visiting at Peak Hours

Between 11 AM and 3 PM, the Louvre reaches its busiest period. Expect long lines, even for restrooms.

✅ Solution: Visit early in the morning (around 9 AM) or later in the afternoon (after 4 PM). Evening visits are calmer and perfect for photography.

🎧 8. Ignoring the Audio Guide

Many first-time visitors wander aimlessly through the museum without context.

✅ Solution: Use the Louvre’s digital audio guide to follow curated routes with short, engaging explanations of each artwork.

☕ 9. Skipping Breaks

Museum fatigue is real. Spending hours without resting can reduce your enjoyment.

✅ Solution: Take a short break at Café Richelieu Angelina or relax in the Tuileries Garden right outside the museum.

🏛️ 10. Leaving Without Exploring the Courtyard

Many people head straight to the metro after their visit and miss one of the most beautiful sights in Paris, the glass pyramid at sunset.

✅ Solution: Step into the Cour Napoléon courtyard and enjoy the iconic Louvre Pyramid glowing in the evening light.

✅ Final Advice

A trip to the Louvre Museum Paris can be unforgettable when planned well.

Avoid these common mistakes, take your time, and enjoy an inspiring journey through centuries of art and culture.

👉 Book your Louvre tickets online to start your visit the smart way, no stress, no long lines, just pure Parisian art.