DanielleJane

I am trying to fit the Louvre in to my Paris itinerary. I know I need a good chunk of time (make that a good chunk of *strategic* time in order to avoid the lines) but don't want to use up a whole morning/afternoon to see it... Someone told me the Louvre is open late some nights and it just so happens I will in Paris on a Friday night which is when the Louvre is open later (until 9:45pm).. So my question is, if I arrived there say, around 8pm, would we have to leave right at 9:45pm or is 9:45 when they stop selling tickets? I have a morning blocked off for it already, but if I could move it to a night time trip, I figured that would be pretty cool! Has anyone done this before?

justineparis

Well first off on the official website , it clearly states that some rooms will start closing 30 minutes BEFORE closing time.
Secondly I know at many sites in France when they say something closes at say 9:45, it means everyone will be outside at 9:45, they really mean it , they actually will start herding you out.

So arriving at 8 pm seems like it would be a rather short visit.

It is true the crowds will be thinner after 6 or 7 so why not go earlier?

It is also true that to avoid long lines one does not need to go at night or have a special pass,, I have been numerous times now, at least 12 or 13 times now, last summer in july was most recent, and I simply use the Caroseul Mall entrance, buy my ticket from the machines, and then have never waited more then 10 mintues to get through security. There is no skipping security .

latedaytraveler

Danielle, As you know, the Louvre is HUGE. From the Carrousel Mall there are three entrances into the museum – the RICHELIEU, the SULLY, and the DENON – the latter houses the Mona Lisa, Winged Victory, and the Venus de Milo. My suggestion would be to arrive earlier if possible. There are tons of eateries in the Mall if you wish to eat before “doing” the Museum.

Strongly suggest checking to see which section you are interested in before your trip. Not sure if all areas are open during evening hours. I am sure that someone with more familiarity can enlighten us.

Enjoy Paris….

bendigo

We visited on a Friday night in December - added bonus is that under-26 are free that evening, so we saved on family admission - couple and three late teens.

We arrived about 6, and probably spent around 2.5 hours. Saw the "highlights" - Mona Lisa, Winged Victory and Venus de Milo, wandered halls and sculpture areas, and visited Napoleon III State Rooms.

A winters night was great - no queueing and could get up close (at least as close as permitted!) to all the works.

2.5 hours was about the tolerance limit for my family members - as I discovered as we continued our exploration of museums and galleries across Europe. It is usually a compromise - so many on here indicate that they return to the Louvre on multiple visits to Paris, and still haven't seen it all - and there is a big difference between just checking off the sights (sites??) and spending the time to try to appreciate what you are seeing.

DanielleJane

Thanks everyone, we are coming from London on Friday and our train doesn't arrive in Paris until 7pm. I don't think I would be able to make it to the Louvre before 8, so I'll just stick to my original plan and head over there early one morning.

On the other hand, I do have some time one afternoon.. Is it really as crowded/difficult as everyone says it is in the afternoon? Anyone have any experience visiting in the afternoon?

tomboy

Quickies have their place, but it's not at the Louvre.

Underhill

It all depends on what you want to see. If you want to see the backs of heads of people taking photos of the Mona Lisa, then yes, it will be crowded. But if you want to look at, say, the Dutch and Flemish paintings, the crowds will be considerably fewer. Late afternoon can be a good time, but evenings are wonderful.

If there is something in particular that you want to see that isn't one of the big draws, ask at the information desk. Oftentimes art is removed for restoration.

justineparis

The Louvre is usually always full of people, but as Underhill says, they tend to cluster around some areas more then others... that doesn't mean you shouldn't go and see the Mona or Venus, but just accept that those areas will be crowded, then move off to quieter sections.