Yes, your Paris trip won’t be complete without visiting The Louvre. But are you unsure about visiting The Louvre with family and kids? We’re here to help you get over the worry. We’ve partnered with top rated guides delivering hundreds of verified guided tours for families visiting The Louvre. Know all there is to know about planning your family trip to The Louvre Museum, Paris.
The Louvre Museum, Paris
The Louvre in Paris is one of the largest and most-visited art museums in the world, with 4,00,000 art works and a permanent collection of about 35,000 on display. The Louvre was first built as a fortress in 1190 and then became the royal French residence in 1546. During this period the Louvre operated as a private art gallery for the wealthy and elite.
Then, provoked by the French Revolution in 1793, it was decided that the Louvre should be opened to everyone and it has operated as a public art gallery ever since. The Louvre today welcomes millions of visitors from around the world, and is one of the most-stroller museums you may ever visit. So there is no reason to skip it when traveling with family and kids.
Why guided tours are ideal for a family visit to The Louvre
The Louvre Museum can be overwhelming, especially for families with children. We recommend taking a guided tour to get the most out of your visit and have an enjoyable experience.
Takes the guesswork out of navigating The Louvre
With a knowledgeable guide leading the way, you can follow a pre-planned itinerary that highlights the must-see masterpieces and hidden gems
Seeing it right!
You can explore the exhibits receiving valuable insights, engaging stories, and historical context that add to the appreciation for the artworks.
Great for kids
Guides are adept at keeping children engaged and entertained. They can also show exhibits that are most appealing to kids, and tell them stories to keep them interested.
Please, ask!
Guides love to host visitors who are curious to know more. They can answer your questions and provide additional information, enriching the overall experience for everyone. With deep working knowledge of the museum and exhibits, a guide can make your family trip to the Louvre a memorable one.
Types of guided tours
Self-guided tours
Provide your family with the freedom to explore the Louvre Museum independently. Self-guided tours offer flexibility in terms of time and itinerary, you can focus on the artworks that interest you the most.
Group tours
Led by professional guides, group tours lead a fixed number of visitors through the museum on a set itinerary with a specific duration. They are an excellent option for families looking for a comprehensive overview of the museum’s art exhibits. This is also a great opportunity to and provide the opportunity to meet other families.
Private tours
Offering a more personalized , in-depth experience for art connoisseurs, private tours can be tailored to your family’s interests and preferences. They reveal a more intimate and interactive exploration of the museum.
How to choose a guided tour?
When selecting a guided tour for your family visit, consider these –
How much time would you like to spend at the Louvre?
Self-guided tours offer the most flexibility in terms of time, as you can spend as long as you like in the museum. Group and private tours have set durations, ranging from a few hours to a full day.
Read the reviews and testimonials
Go through the reviews on the website offering Louvre guided tours. See what the previous visitors have to say about the guide and the experience.
Consider your interests and preferences
You can find guided trips catering to specific ages, interests and preferences. Consider what you and your family might like to see. Some tours are specifically designed for younger audiences, while others cater to teenagers or mixed-age groups
Compare prices and inclusions
You can find almost similar guided tours being offered with slight variations, different tour guide, timings, group size or more. Compare the inclusions to get a fair assessment of the price for the tour.
The Louvre – Guided tours in English
More guided tours to The Louvre
Amenities for families visiting The Lourve
The Louvre Museum strives to provide accessible facilities and amenities for all visitors, including families. The museum is equipped with elevators, ramps, and designated accessible entrances to accommodate individuals with mobility challenges or strollers.
Restrooms / Toilets
Toilets can be found in the welcome area under the Pyramid and throughout the museum. Restrooms with baby-changing facilities are also available throughout the museum.
For babies & toddlers
The Studio is a special area designed with families in mind, located on the ground floor of the Richelieu wing has a baby space equipped with a bottle warmer, a microwave oven and a nursing chair… everything you need for a moment of peace and quiet with your baby.
Walking aids and wheelchairs
Visitors can get walking sticks , folding stools, pushchairs, baby carriers, multi-functional rolling chairs and wheelchairs available free of charge from the visitor assistance area (located beneath the Pyramid), in exchange for a piece of ID.
Activities for children
The Louvre offers activities designed for younger visitors. Look for interactive exhibits, multimedia displays, and audio guides tailored for children. These activities often involve games, quizzes, and storytelling, which help bring the artworks to life and capture children’s interest.
Specific assistance
If you require any specific accommodations, such as wheelchair rental or special assistance, it’s advisable to contact the museum in advance to make the necessary arrangements.
Tips to make the most of your visit
Wear comfortable clothing and footwear
You can expect to do quite a bit of walking. So it’s helpful to wear comfortable clothing and footwear. Consider dressing in layers, as the temperature inside the museum can vary.
Pack light snacks
Pack some snacks and water to keep everyone hydrated and energized throughout the tour. Eating or drinking is not allowed in the exhibition rooms, but you can grab a bite under the Pyramid or have a picnic in the Tuileries Garden.
Skip the crowd. Visit after early dinner.
Weekdays are generally less crowded. You can also have an early dinner and then go to the Louvre. The exhibit rooms stay open till 9.45 pm. The museum staff starts to clear the rooms at about 9.15 pm.
Enter through less busy entrances
The main entrance to the Louvre, the Pyramid, tends to have long lines. Instead, consider entering from the Porte des Lions or the Carrousel du Louvre entrance near the shopping mall. This can help save time.
Free entry days at the Louvre
On certain days (14 July, Bastille day and the first Saturday of each month), the museum is free for access between 6 p.m. to 9.45 p.m. Further, visitors under the age of 26 can enjoy free access on every Friday between 6 p.m. to 9.45 p.m.
Don’t rush it. You won’t finish seeing the Louvre.
There are 35,000 paintings on display at the Louvre. Even if you were to look at each work of art for just 15 seconds, you would need three weeks to see them all! You can plan better and focus on the top 100 – 200 exhibits within the museum to view the important portions of the collection. Use the Top 100 / Top 250 tours feature of the Louvre Visitor Guide App for this.
Make Note – The Louvre is currently carrying out major maintenance and renovation work.
Before your visit, remember to consult the opening calendar of the rooms to find out which spaces are closed. You can view the opening calendar here.
There are so many ways to see the Louvre. We can go on suggesting more and more guided tours for your trip. But more isn’t always helpful now, is it 🙂 With the tours shared above, you’ll find it easy to select one that seems just right for you.
If a particular tour seems interesting, you can click on it and get to know more. Tour descriptions can sometimes reveal fascinating details that can help in planning the trip better. Until next time and Bon voyage au Louvre!