Louvre Evening Tour (Louvre at Night in Winter)
In winter, enjoy a Louvre by Night Tour; the rest of the year, enjoy a Louvre Evening Tour. On Friday and Wednesday evenings, the Louvre closes at 9 p.m. Why visit the Louvre during the most crowded hours when you can enjoy a Louvre after-hours tour with fewer crowds and see the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo in much better conditions? Most of our Louvre tours can be booked as evening tours at no additional cost. Prices for a 2-hour tour start at 179 € for two people (without Louvre tickets and the 20 € Louvre right-to-speak fees).
We are sorry to announce that, since January 14th, the Louvre has restricted private tours to a maximum of 3 hours. Consequently, for now, our 4-hour tours, so popular among art enthusiasts, are no longer possible. Consequently, our most popular 4-hour Louvre evening tour is not possible anymore, only 2-hour and 3-hour Louvre evening tours are now possible.
💡 Looking for all Louvre tour options? See our complete Louvre Tours guide with highlights tours, themed tours, and evening tours.
Summary:
- Louvre Evening Tour in a Nutshell
- Why a Louvre Evening Tour
- Why Choose Us
- Other Advantages of a Louvre Evening Tour
- Inconveniences of a Louvre Evening Tour
- Content of a Louvre Evening Tour
- Louvre Highlight Tour on Wednesday and Friday Evenings
- Louvre Italian Renaissance Painting Tour in the Evening
- The Empty Gallery Experience
- Combine the Louvre Evening Tour with the Louvre Extended Tour
- Combine the Louvre Evening Tour with a Paris Walking Tour
- What if You Can’t Attend an Evening Tour
- FAQs
- Reviews
- —– BOOKING —–
- Louvre Blog by Yves
Louvre Evening Tour best Promotion: Past visitors’ own words!
“Evening at the Louvre!
Aug 2025 • Friends
My Louvre visit with Yves was exceptional. His expertise and storytelling brought masterpieces to life. Yves fit all the top highlights into a concise, engaging tour, even on a tight schedule. The evening tour was especially enjoyable—it was definitely more quiet than usual, highly recommended if you want to actually learn and understand the background of the story. Thanks to Yves, the experience felt curated and personal.
Cherry on top was a beautiful sunset when we came out! 10/10!“
Victoria C • Los Angeles, California • Tripadvisor
Louvre Evening Tour in a Nutshell
This is a photo of the Louvre at night in winter, featuring its famous pyramid designed by architect I. M. Pei.). Louvre evening tours are possible on Fridays and Wednesdays, as the Louvre closes at 9 p.m.
From €179 for 1 to 2 people + €40 per extra person.
- Friday & Wednesday evenings only
- Genuine private tour in English = your party only (up to 6)
- Postgraduate (MPhil) certified French national guide
- Various tour themes are available – not only highlights
- Two possible durations: 2, 3, and 4 hours
Price does not include museum tickets; the Louvre now requires us to purchase them for you; the rate is € 28 per ticket.
Price does not include the Louvre Museum € 20 “right-to-speak” fees per tour.
Warning: avoid the first Friday of the month. The Louvre gives free evening tickets (which are difficult to get), which means more people. Better prefer other Fridays or any Wednesday.
This setback does not exist in July and August: no Friday evening free tickets.
During the Christmas holiday and New Year seasons, the Louvre may open at night on some other days of the week. If we are aware of it, we inform you here.
KNOW MORE / BOOK NOW
Why Choose a Louvre Evening Tour?
The Louvre Is Very Crowded. An Evening Tour Is the Best Strategy to Avoid the Crowd as Much as Possible.
The Louvre is the most famous and visited museum in the world. Long entry lines are not the only problem; crowded or very crowded galleries are another, often not only in high season. These problems may partially or totally spoil your Louvre experience.
Huge waiting lines going in all directions to enter the museum on December 28th, 2022, around 10 A.M. It shows the interest of a Louvre Evening Tour!
The crowd at the Mona Lisa at pick hours during daytime.
Given this situation, a private Louvre evening tour is the best way to make the most of your visit.
In the evening, after 6 p.m., the line for security control is usually much shorter.
During regular daytime hours, you will encounter an increasingly crowded museum as your tour continues.
But, In the evening, the Louvre will become quieter and quieter while your tour goes on.
Furthermore, the crowds will not only become smaller and smaller but will change to more and more art Lovers.
You will experience another more peaceful Louvre, and at the end of the evening, you may even feel an impression of intimacy.
The absence of daylight in fall and winter reinforces this intimacy feeling (there are many crystal roofs in the Louvre).
Accessing the most famous works of art at the Louvre is usually much more manageable during an evening tour.
A Louvre Evening Tour is your best chance to approach the Venus de Milo and, even more, the Mona Lisa without being totally overwhelmed by the crowd.
Usually, after 8:15 p.m. or 8:30 p.m., there are fewer people in front of the Mona Lisa, so you will optimize your chance to see it in the best possible conditions at the end of the tour or just after it.
The Mona Lisa – da Vinci.
A Louvre evening tour is the best solution to maximize your stay there. Don’t miss it, furthermore, if it is a once-in-a-lifetime experience!
Why Choose Us For a Louvre Tour at Night?
Our guide, Yves, is genuinely knowledgeable and genuine Louvre tour guide. He has passionately improved his museum skills and received many outstanding reviews!
Unlike others, we charge the same price for our Louvre evening tours as our normal ones.
Our private tours of the Louvre are probably among the most affordable.
Yves Your Private Tour Guide in the Louvre
Certified French national guide
BA, Magna Cum Laude, Heritage Development & Preservation
from Conservatoire des Arts et Métiers (Grande Ecole established in 1794)
Postgraduate from Paris Dauphine-PSL University
“AMAZING – 100% recommended
We had a private tour with Yves at the Louvre museum on a Wednesday from 6-8pm. Not only he made the tour very interesting and entertaining for us but manage to engaged our 2 kids (13 and 12 years old) for the whole duration of the tour. He explained in great detail many of the highlights of the museum. We were very luck that there were no crowds at all, so we manage to see a lot in two hours. I will highly recommend you book a tour with Yves and if you can go in the last session of the day. Highlight of our trip!“
Catalina F – Syndey – Family – June 2024 – Tripadvisor
Extra Advantages of a Louvre Evening Tour
The Spring and Summer Experience – Amazing Evening After Your Louvre Tour.
If the weather cooperates, after the tour, you can enjoy the fantastic twilight atmosphere outside the Louvre and a breathtaking sunset in the Tuileries Garden, located adjacent to the Louvre. A little further away in the east is Ile de la Cité with Notre Dame Cathedral.
Sunset on the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden in the background.
Notre Dame Cathedral in Ile de la Cité at twilight.
Louvre Night Tour in the Winter – Experiencing Amazing Night Photos from the Galleries and the City of Light After your Tour.
In the winter, in the galleries you will feel the very special night atmosphere and you will enjoy amazing outside views from the Louvre windows with a lot of opportunities of amazing photos.
The Louvre and its Pyramid at night from the Rodonde d’Apollon is probably one of the best photo spots in the Louvre galleries.
Statues of the great men of France from Rodonde d’Apollon.
After your tour, you will depart from the Louvre and enjoy the fantastic view of the Louvre and its Pyramids at night.
But, you will also fully enjoy the charm of the city of light at night when leaving the Louvre, as the famous museum is in the historical center of Paris. Not far from the Louvre are the Quay of Seine River, the Comédie Française, Palais Royal, Opéra Garnier, Place Vendôme, Ile de la cité (Conciergerie Notre-Dame), etc. Some of the most famous Paris restaurants are also located not far from the Louvre.
The Louvre Museum and its Pyramid at night.
The “Comédie Française” (French natioanl theatre company) at night, just beside the Louvre.
The magic of the Seine River at night with Bateaux Mouches from Pont Neuf bridge, with the Louvre Museum, a few minutes walk away in the background.
Beside the Louvre in front of Pont Neuf and île de la Cité, is the amazing Cheval Blanc Paris Luxury hôtel with its four first-class restaurants: Le tout Paris roof-top bar and Restaurant (awarded one MICHELIN star), Hakuba (Japanese restaurant awarded one MICHELIN star), Langosteria, Plenitude (awarded three MICHELIN stars).
What are the Inconveniences of a Louvre Evening Tour?
The Louvre Private Evening tour is the best choice. If you are available on Wednesday or Friday evenings, do not hesitate. We mainly see three possible inconveniences.
1- You Want to See a Specific Gallery That Is Closed on Wednesday or Friday
Indeed, some galleries close on specific days of the week.
On Fridays, the “Arts of Africa, Oceania, and the Americas” department is usually closed, and the “Egyptian Antiquities” department is only partially open.
The “Flemish Painting” and “French 17th Century Painting” departments are usually closed on Wednesdays.
Always check the closure schedule of the Louvre galleries for the latest and most accurate information.
Nevertheless, you cannot be 100 % sure that a specific gallery will be open on the day you come; the Louvre can close any gallery without prior warning.
2 – Souvenir Shops and Cafes Inside the Louvre Will Be Closed at The End of the Evening Tour
Closed cafes at a late hour inside the Louvre are not a big deal, as there are many outside the museum in the Rivoli Street area.
However, if you are interested in buying Louvre souvenirs, well, the souvenir shops will be closed or about to close at the end of your evening tour.
3 – The Crowd Due to the Free Tickets on the First Friday of the Month
The first Friday of the month is not as good as other Fridays as the Louvre distributes free tickets (which are difficult to get), which means more people in the galleries.
So it is better to prefer other Fridays or any Wednesday.
This setback does not exist in July and August: no Friday evening free tickets.
What is the Content of the Louvre Evening Tour?
There is no specific content for the Louvre evening tour. Nevertheless, it makes a lot of sense to dedicate your Louvre evening tour to discovering the usually most crowded Louvre galleries.
The Louvre has three wings: Sully, Denon, and Richelieu.
The most crowded wing is the Denon one. There is the Victory of Samothrace, Mona Lisa, and the other Da Vinci masterpieces, the jewels of the French Crown, and the most famous 19th-century French paintings (Coronation of Napoléon, Raft of the Medusa, etc.).
Then comes the Sully Wing, where are the Venus de Milo and the Ancient Egypt collection.
Two of our tours focus on the most crowded parts of the Denon and Sully wings, for which an evening tour makes tremendous sense.
The Louvre Private Discovery Tour
The Louvre Italian Renaissance Painting Private Tour
The Louvre Highlights Tour on Wednesday or Friday Evening
Our 2-hour Louvre Discovery Tour is designed to show you the maximum of the Louvre’s highlights.
- The Da Vinci Paintings with the Mona Lisa, but also many other famous Louvre paintings, such as Veronese’s Cana Wedding, Napoleon’s Coronation, Medusa’s Raft, and Liberty Guiding the People, etc.
- The Victory of Samotras, The Venus de Milo, and some other famous sculptures such as “Psyche revived by Cupid Kiss” by Canova, “The Slaves” by Micheal Angelo, etc.
- Some fantastic pieces of architecture in the Louvre building, such as the 13-century foundation of the Medieval Louvre fortress, the Cariatides room (Renaissance), the summer apartments of Anna of Austria, mother of the Sun King (Baroque), the Apollo Gallery (baroque) where are the jewels of the French crown and the famous Regent Diamon, etc.
But there is a big problem: Many others want to see the same masterpieces, and you will spend most of the tour time in very crowded galleries.
What is the Solution to Seeing the Louvre Highlights with Less Crowd?
Book your Louvre Highlight Discovery Tour as a Wednesday or Friday evening tour!
Typically, Venus de Milo’s gallery is very crowded during the daytime. An evening tour will give you a much better experience there. Credit Jean Carlo Emer Unsplash.
The Venus de Milo‘s gallery without the crowd. An evening tour will give you the best experience.
Photo of the Apollo Gallery with no crowd. Created to glorify Louis the 14th as the Sun King. It is now the showcase of the jewels of the French Crown.
Friday evening, just before the Louvre closing, a nearly empty Daru Staircase with the Nike of Samothrace in the background.
The Louvre Italian Renaissance Paintings Tour on the Evening
The Louvre has a fantastic Italian Renaissance collection started by King François I of France in the early fifteen hundred. François I was fond of arts, and he invited Leonardo da Vinci to stay in his court in France; that is why the Louvre has such a fantastic collection of da Vinci masterpieces (Mona Lisa, Sainte Anne, etc.) We propose an amazing Louvre Italian Renaissance Painting Tour. However, there is a big problem: the Italian Renaissance paintings are in the most crowded part of the Louvre. So, if you want to follow our Italian Renaissance painting tour in the best possible conditions, no mistake, book it as a Wednesday or Friday Evening Tour!
The Crucifixion by Andrea Mantegna, one of the famous Italian Renaissance masterpieces at the beginning of the famous Grand Gallery in the Denon Wing you will be able to admire in much better conditions.
Enjoy the Italian Renaissance Masterpieces until the end in a more practicable Grand Gallery to discover the works of Caravaggio, which close the period.
Our Other Louvre Tours at Night: The Empty Gallery Experience
All our Louvre tours may be booked as a private evening tour if the corresponding gallery is open the day of your evening tour (Wednesday or Friday); always check that before all.
There is a great disequilibrium between the Louvre galleries. Meanwhile, during peak hours in the Denon wing, the Great Gallery, with its Italian paintings, is always very crowded; at the same time, the French, Dutch, and Flemish painting galleries in the Richelieu or Sully wings will probably be nearly empty.
So, book a French or a Dutch and Flemish painting tour on Wednesday or Friday night. We will probably be nearly alone in the related galleries, and you will have the impression that the Louvre Museum is only for you—a fantastic experience.
To book these tours as Wednesday or Friday evening tours, just go on the corresponding Louvre tour page and select a tour departure time at the end of Wednesday or Friday afternoon.
Women alone in Marie de Medici’s Cycle by Peter Paul Rubens. Richelieu wing, Louvre.
Combine Louvre Extended Tours (3 hours) and Louvre Evening Tour
Combining the evening solution with our extended tour is optimal for exploring the Louvre in its best conditions.
For a four-hour evening tour, we start at 4 p.m. or 4:30 p.m. and have a guided tour that ends around 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
Typically, this kind of tour is made of two parts.
During the first two hours, we explore some usually not-too-crowded areas of the Richelieu wing, such as Napoléon III’s Apartments, French paintings, Dutch or Flemish Paintings, etc.
A second part at later hours focuses on Denon Wing’s most popular areas (Da Vincci paintings, Vénus de Milo, Coronation of Napoléon, etc.).
But we are sorry, since January 14th, 2026, the Louvre has forbidden tours lasting more than three hours. Four-hour tours are not possible anymore.
The 3-hour evening tour works the same as the 4-hour one, but it starts at 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. and has one hour less to distribute between the two parts of the tour.
The first part of the Evening Tour may be an opportunity to discover Georges de la Tour‘s fantastic paintings, the French master of chiaroscuro.
At the end of the tour, the room where the Mona Lisa is becoming more negotiable. This is an excellent opportunity to discover the Louvre’s Venetian masterpieces, such as Titian‘s amazing “Man with a Glove”.
A four-hour extended tour on Wednesday or Friday evening is a must! But sorry, it is not possible anymore!
It gives you both the empty-gallery experience and the Louvre highlights in optimal condition.
The Louvre is not only the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo!
Strolling around in nearly empty painting galleries is really a very special, intimate experience. If you are lucky, you may even encounter one of these authorized painters copying the Louvre’s masterpieces in front of you.
An authorized artist reproducing a Rembrandt masterpiece in the Louvre.
Combine a Louvre Evening Tour with a Walking Tour of the Historical Heart of Paris
We recently created the “Paris Full Day Tour Version 2” tour as part of our Paris Essential Tour series.
The tour is structured in three parts:
- A 4-hour walking tour in the heart of Paris starting at 1 p.m.
- A one-hour time pause, which can optionally be cut/skipped, is to be decided between the customer and the tourist guide.
- A Louvre Evening Tour starting at 6. p.m. and ends at 8 p.m.
If you are in Paris only for a couple of days, this formula is an excellent choice for discovering most of the historical heart of Paris and the Louvre on the same day.
This is to be reserved for those who have nothing against a long +/- 7-hour walking tour.
Place des Vosges in le Marais. the “full-day” tour with a Louvre Evening Tour included also includes a walk in Le Marais.
What if You Cannot Attend a Wednesday or Friday Evening Tour?
If you can’t attend a Wednesday or Friday Evening Tour, or if the Wednesday or Friday night tour slot you want is already booked…
If you have already seen the most famous Louvre artifacts and paintings (Venus de Milo, Mona Lisa, etc.) or seeing them during your tour is not something mandatory for you…
Then there is an easy alternative solution:
THE LOUVRE ALTERNATIVE TOUR
This is an off-the-beaten-track Louvre discovery based on the Louvre Richelieu Wing, the lesser visited part of the Louvre, which is also full of amazing artifacts and paintings.
French sculptures from the Dark Ages to the 19th century.
Northern school painting (Dutch & Flemish).
French paintings from the 16th to 19th century.
Napoleon I artifacts.
Dark Ages artifacts, etc.
The Louvre alternative tour. 17th Century French Sculpture at Cour Puget.
FAQS Louvre Evening Tours
What is the Difference Between Louvre After-hour Tours, Louvre Night Tours, and Louvre Evening Tours?
They are the same: tours based on the late closing of the Louvre Museum at 9 p.m. on Wednesday and Friday evenings.
What is the Cost for the Louvre After Hours Tours, Louvre Evening Tour or Louvre Night Tours?
Most tour agencies charge more for a Louvre After Hours Tour (also known as a Louvre Evening Tour or Louvre Night Tour). At Broaden-horizons.fr, we don’t offer the Louvre after-hours tours at the same price as our other Louvre tours.
2-hour After-hours (evening, night) Tours (Louvre tickets not included):
- 1-2 people: 179 €
- 3 people: 219 €
- 4 people: 259 €
- 5 people: 299 €
- 6 people: 339 €
3-hour After-hours (evening, night) Tours (Louvre tickets not included):
- 1-2 people: 235 €
- 3 people: 280 €
- 4 people: 325 €
- 5 people: 370 €
- 6 people: 415 €
4-hour After-hours (evening, night) Tours (Louvre tickets not included):
- 1-2 people: 275 €
- 3 people: 325 €
- 4 people: 375 €
- 5 people: 425 €
- 6 people: 475 €
Do the Louvre Night Tours Really End at Night?
It depends on the season. At the latitude of Paris, the day is much shorter in winter than in summer. At 9 p.m., when the Louvre closes its doors, in winter in Paris, this is already the night; meanwhile, at the end of the spring or at the beginning of the summer, you will still have to wait a very long time to see the twilight coming.
What is the Best Hour to Start a Louvre Evening Tour?
Knowing that the Louvre staff start the closing procedures from 8.30 P.M. in the galleries on Wednesday and Friday, here are the optimum start times for a Louvre evening tour:
- For a 3-hour tour: start at 5 p.m. or 5:30 p.m. and enjoy a guided tour that concludes around 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
- For a 2-hour tour: start at 6 p.m. or 6:30 p.m. and enjoy a guided tour that concludes around 8 p.m. or 8:30 p.m.
What are the Louvre's Extended Hours at Night on Wednesday or Friday? Is the Louvre Open till 9 P.M. or 9:45 P.M.?
The Louvre is open until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays, previously the Friday night opening was till 9.45 P.M., this is not the case any more.
Is it True That There is a Special Atmosphere During Louvre Evening Tours at night?
The museum can be incredibly crowded during the day, especially during peak hours. In the evening, the large tour groups are gone, and the museum becomes quieter and more peaceful.
With fewer people around, visitors feel more at ease exploring the museum and focusing on the art. The lighting and architecture, particularly the way the museum is illuminated at night, contribute to a more intimate and immersive experience.
Overall, the Louvre evening tours allow visitors to experience the museum in a more peaceful, intimate, and often magical way.
Can We Stay in the Louvre After the Evening Tour to See the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo in Even Better Conditions?
Yes, this is a very good idea if the Louvre is still open. The tour usually ends quite close to the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, and the later you are in front of these famous Masterpieces, the fewer people you will see.
Example: You start your Louvre evening tour at 6 p.m., and it ends at 8:10 p.m. You usually still have +/- 20 minutes before the Louvre teams start to evacuate the galleries for the 9 p.m. museum closing.
Louvre Evening Tour Reviews
“Mona Lisa Front Row
Highly recommend Yves for a Louvre tour. We did the after hours tour to avoid the crowds and it was amazing. He was so knowledgeable, engaging and showed us some hidden gems that many people may miss when visiting.“
Kimberly C – October 2025 – Tripadvisor
“10/10 Louvre Tour – Worth Every Minute!
Jul 2025 • Family
My wife and I had the absolute pleasure of taking a 2-hour evening tour of the Louvre with Yves — and it was unforgettable! In fact, he went above and beyond, generously giving us more than two hours of his time.
Yves was so warm and welcoming from the start, and his knowledge of the museum and its art was nothing short of incredible. The Louvre is massive and can be overwhelming, but he made sure we saw many of its most iconic masterpieces while also sharing fascinating stories and insights we never would have learned on our own.
Trying to condense the highlights of such a vast museum into just two hours is nearly impossible, but Yves masterfully crafted an experience that was engaging, educational, and stress-free. Without him, my wife and I would have been completely lost — both literally and in terms of what to prioritize.
10/10 would recommend Yves to anyone, and we would absolutely book him again, next time for an even longer tour!“
David B – Tripadvisor
“I can’t imagine there’s a better way to experience The Louvre!
We opted for the 2-hour evening tour with Broaden Horizons at the Louvre, and it was nothing short of a revelation. The timing was perfect—fewer crowds allowed us to breathe and soak in the experience, while the early evening views stretching up the Champs-Élysées toward the Arc de Triomphe and the Eiffel Tower were spectacular. Our guide, Yves, was the heartbeat of the tour: a whirlwind of energy, erudition, and wit, he brought the museum to life with the charisma of a master storyteller and the depth of a seasoned professor.
The Louvre’s scale is staggering—acres of galleries brimming with treasures spanning centuries and civilizations. Without guidance, it’d be an exhilarating but bewildering labyrinth. Yves transformed it into a journey. My wife, a history and archaeology geek, was in her element, her eyes alight as Yves wove tales of ancient empires and artistic genius. I, on the other hand, am no scholar of such things—yet Yves had me hooked. His passion was infectious, his humor a lifeline, and his knack for bridging the gap between novice and enthusiast was pure magic. He didn’t just cater to my wife’s deeper knowledge; he sparked my curiosity, making every statue, painting, and relic pulse with relevance.
This wasn’t just a tour—it was a masterclass in why the Louvre matters, delivered with flair and heart. If you want to truly feel the weight and wonder of this iconic place, Broaden Horizons and Yves are the way to go. I can’t recommend it enough and I can only imagine his other tours are every bit as good.“
Kev L, Glasgow, UK – Mars 2025 • Couples • Tripadvisor
“The best! A dream come true
I can say without a doubt that the Private Tour of the Louvre with Broaden Horizons was the BEST investment we made in Europe.
Yves is an excellent, knowledgeable guide who opens the doors to fascinating and well-organized knowledge. My advice is not to go to the Louvre on your own, because you will get lost a lot, and you will end up tired probably walking the same galleries. If you can make the tour with Louvre with Yves, you will learn like never before, and make the most of your visit.
Something I love is that Yves is not an amateur, he is a real expert, with a lot of knowledge about different periods and artistic movements, painting techniques and world history. At the beginning of the tour he will ask your interests and thus accommodate the tour for you.
We plan to return to Paris and return to take a tour with Broaden Horizons. Personally I love art and have done a lot of research, so I enjoyed talking to Yves about something we both love, it was like chatting with a friend.
PS. During our visits we saw other tours, huge groups, many could not even see the painting they were talking about. To spend on such a tour, better invest in a tour with Yves (which, by the way, is very good price!) and you will have a private experience. Your Spanish and English are very good so you will not have communication problems.“
Caro M – Barranquilla, Colombia – December 2024 -Tripadvisor
“Best Tour Guide!
Absolutely Fantastic. Make sure you keep up, Yves is both quick on his feet and full of fascinating information. The tour will be tailored to whatever your interests are and the Louvre is such a large area that there will be plenty to keep you interested and then some, so plan ahead what you are interested in. We will definitely be using Yves again, he was knowledgeable, friendly and passionate. Best tour guide ever!!!“
Vacation711627 – Friends – July 2024 – Tripadvisor
“Truly Memorable Tours
We had the absolute pleasure and privilege to have two separate tours with Yves. Our family group of four went on a three hour walking tour of the Marais district first. It was an amazing experience to walk with Yves and have the history, architecture and nuances of the city explained to us in great detail. Yves’ knowledge is incredible and his ability to impart this knowledge in such an entertaining and interesting way is a real talent and was much appreciated. Three days later we took the 4 hour night tour of the Louvre. Again, Yves took us on a journey from man’s earliest artistic endeavours to the great European Masters. It was both fascinating and thoroughly entertaining. His knowledge of art history is overwhelming and Yves encouraged us to ask questions if we didn’t understand something. We cannot recommend Yves highly enough. His tours are truly private and he tailors the experience to your level of knowledge and interest. Thank you Yves for a truly memorable experience, if we return to Paris we will definitely book further tours.“
Kay W – Darwin, Australia – September 2024 -Tripadvisor
“A Tour de France of the Louvre
I booked the alternative tour for my partner and myself to have a different take on the Louvre. We met Yves at the entrance and he asked for our preferences and what we liked and adjusted the tour accordingly. We had a Tour de France with Yves, unforgettable, we walked 9km in 2 hours and got amazing insights into some of the most amazing art pieces, and no, not only the Mona Lisa. Yves advised us to do the Friday evening tour to avoid the crowds and I can only highly recommend that. We had a fantastic time!“
Melody J – April 2024 – Tripadvisor
“Private Louvre tour was incredible!
You simply must book this private tour. To start, you are swept right inside, in front of the lines of envious people. Then, a whirlwind of expertly described art and history. The guide has a great style of informing in a conversational way. He curated the experience to our interests. You could tell he’s very experienced, with an amazing knowledge of art and history! It was fast-paced, and he fit in so much. It was nice having someone who knew his way around so well. He knew we weren’t keen on the crowds and took us through in a way that avoided people, and at times it felt like we were in our own museum to ourselves. He really went above and beyond. 10/10 would do again!“
Mary Kate L – May 2024 – Tripadvisor
“Exploring the arc of art history at the Louvre
We took the evening Louvre tour with Yves and it was one of the highlights of our time in Paris. The Louvre can be overwhelming, so if your goal is to go and take a selfie with the Mona Lisa and call it good, that’s fine. I had been there before and wanted something more than just the standard audio tour. My wife and I were looking for a more unique experience with more depth exposing us to more about the works, the history of the museum, and the larger arc of art history as a whole, and that’s what we got from our tour with Yves! His selection of works to highlight during the tour was well chosen to get at that arc of art history to help the interested laypeople like us. Yves brought a ton of energy and knowledge that really drove the tour and got us involved from start to finish. As the tour went on, he was adapting some of the focus points to the topics/lines of questioning that we were focusing on throughout, providing a very personal feel to the end product of the tour. I have a technical mindset as well as an interest in history, and he picked up on that from my questions and deftly weaved elements of that into the tour as we progressed. It was obvious that he is guiding tours due to his passion for the subject matter. As a history enthusiast, I also really appreciated how he was very thorough in pointing out what he knew (and could back up with research) versus where there was some speculation in the historical consensus. As a private tour, I doubt there are any as affordable with this high of a product and I would highly recommend Yves as a guide for anyone looking for compelling depth and energy in a private tour.”
GriffsDontJingle – May 2023 – Tripadvisor
Things to know before Booking
Clarification: Skip-the-Line Tickets Are Just Standard Online Ones
Louvre website says "All visitors, including those entitled to free admission (including Paris Museum Pass bearers), must book a time slot. Buy your ticket online on www.ticketlouvre.fr... During off-peak times, there may also be a limited number of time slots for same-day visits available for booking at the museum. However ... to guarantee your entry ... we strongly advise booking your time slot in advance online." Conclusion: No magic. During your time slot, you are entitled to enter the online booking security line, so yes, you skip the line... of those who come without a ticket!
Louvre Museum Tickets Fare
Museum tickets are not included in the tour price.
- Online Louvre tickets: €22 per adult - Warning from January 14th, 2026, price for visitors outside the European Economic Area (EU, Iceland, Norway, and Liechtenstein) rises to €32
- Free for all kids under 18 years old
- Free for European Union residents under 26 years old
EVEN IF YOU ARE ENTITLED TO A FREE ENTRANCE, YOU MUST TAKE A TICKET ONLINE.
Restrictions
- Private tour means a tour for you & your party only, not that the museum is privatized.
- Tour duration & content are purely indicative; they may vary due to contingencies.
- In case of unexpectedly closed galleries, you accept that a tour content substitution will apply.
- Prices do not include transportation, food, drinks, or any other extra services.
Attention Points for the Louvre
- Check the Louvre's gallery closures schedule before planning your visit.
- Tours are on foot in the Louvre's huge galleries, so good health & comfortable shoes are mandatory.
- Photos are authorized but without flash. Selfie sticks are not allowed.
- WARNING: proof of ID is mandatory as tickets are nominative!
- WARNING: If you have a free ticket, the corresponding proof is mandatory!
- WARNING: print your tickets or at least upload them before coming to the Louvre (last-minute problem uploading tickets may spoil the tour)
Meeting Point
Outside the museum, close to the Louvre Pyramid (detail during booking)
Access: Metro Line 1 or 7 station Palais-Royal - Musée du Louvre
Book your Louvre Private Tour
Just request the date, time, and number of people you want for your Louvre tour on our calendar, then follow the 4 steps below for an easy online process.
(1) Receive our OK email (48h free pre-booking)
(2) Buy your Louvre tickets online (compatible schedule)
(3) Once you have your tickets, pay your tour online
(4) Receive our
confirmation (email)
Nota bene: Step (1) free pre-booking is lost if no step (3) payment is received after 48 hours. Buy your ticket on the Louvre's official website. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. Open hours: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m., except Wednesday & Friday: 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. Any exit is final.
Louvre Private Tour (2-hours)
Meeting Point OUTSIDE the MuseumFor 1 to 2 people + €40 for any extra person
A group of up to 6 people, exclusively yours
Tickets not included
Louvre Discovery Tour Extended (3-hours)
Meeting Point OUTSIDE the MuseumFor 1 to 2 people + €45 for any extra person
A group of up to 6 people, exclusively yours
Tickets not included
Louvre Italian Painting Private Tour (2-hours)
Meeting Point OUTSIDE the MuseumFor 1 to 2 people + €40 for any extra person
A group of up to 6 people, exclusively yours
Tickets not included
Learn more about the Louvre with our Posts by Yves Louvre Tour Guide
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Unless otherwise noted, reproductions of paintings are from The Yorck Project (2002). GFDL