Navigating Paris: How to Get to The Louvre by Metro, Bus or Taxi

– This post was written by Emma Levin –

Since the Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, simplify your visit by knowing how to get to the Louvre ahead of time. With over 10 million annual visitors in 2019, this popular institution features the latest work, from ancient civilizations all the way up to the mid-19th century. 

The Mona Lisa alone receives about 30,000 visitors a day, so you should plan your visit ahead of time to avoid long wait times. You should know how to get there by bus, metro, car, and other modes of transportation to make for a seamless visit. This guide will help you find the route that makes the most sense to you so that you can have a stress-free visit to the Louvre. 

A brief history of the Louvre 

Originally built to protect the city of Paris from the English as decreed by King Philip II, what is now the largest museum in the world actually began as a 12th-century fortress on the banks of the Seine. it was then reconstructed into a royal palace in the 16th century. During its period as a royal palace, nearly every monarch made renovations, expansions, and added their own art collections. However, Louis XIV decided to move the royal residence to Versailles back in 1682. 

The French Revolution in the late 18th century not only ended the monarchy, but the citizens repurposed many buildings belonging to the monarchy. The National Assembly opened the Louvre as a museum with 537 paintings in 1793. Napoleon expanded the collection in 1801 and temporarily renamed it Musée Napoléon. Today, the Louvre stands at nearly 60,000 square meters with over 35,000 works of art.

How to get to the Louvre

The Louvre is one of the most popular attractions (with the exception of the Eiffel Tower) in the city of love. It’s in the first arrondissement, located on the banks of the Seine River, and is only a 20-minute walk from Notre Dame. It’s not difficult to get to the Louvre, particularly by bus or metro. 

Keep reading to see how you can simplify your visit to the world’s largest art museum!

Get to the Louvre by metro 

As you travel around Paris, you’ll find that the Metro is by far the most efficient and affordable way of getting around the city. Locals and tourists both recommend it because it connects to almost every part of the city. To get to there by metro, you’ll take either Lines 1 or 7 and stop at the Palais-Royal Musée du Louvre station. 

If you are on Line 14 which goes through the center of Paris, then you can get off at The Pyramids stop. You will have to walk 500 meters to get to the museum entrance, which is less than a ten-minute walk away. 

Get to the Louvre by taxi or car 

If you’d like to avoid the rush hour traffic on the Metro lines during the morning commute, then hop in a taxi or private car. The Louvre has quite a large courtyard with designated taxi pick-up and drop-off locations. 

If you’re driving to the Louvre, you can park your car in the underground parking garage at Avenue du Général Lemonnier, which is open from 7:00 am to 11:00 pm. You can access the museum from the Galerie du Carrousel entrance. 

Get to the Louvre by bus 

Many different buses stop at the Louvre Museum, making it easy no matter which direction you’re coming from. Bus routes 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, and 95 will all reach this landmark and stop right near the museum. You’ll either get off at the Louvre Rivoli or the Palais Royal Musée du Louvre. 

Get to the Louvre from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport

You can fly into Paris from all over the world, so, of course, your first stop should be the Louvre! You can take a taxi or drive a car from the airport, but the best way to get to the Louvre is by grabbing the RER Line B. This shuttle train travels from the airport to Chatelet Les Halles station in about 45 minutes. From Chatelet station, it’s only a 9-minute walk to the Louvre. 

Get to the Louvre by bicycle 

Travelers hoping to be more environmentally friendly and economical should travel to the Louvre by bicycle. The Parisian public bike rental service, velib, is the most popular option for renting a bike. Choose from either a normal bike or an electric one at one of the many docking stations across Paris. Renting these bikes is affordable, costing only 5€ for 24 hours of service and 20€ for three days of service.

Get to the Louvre by Hop-on Hop-off Tootbus Tour Paris

If you’re in Paris for only a few days and planning to stop at all of Paris’ top hits, then book a ticket on the Hop-on Hop-off bus. This tour bus pass is available for 24 to 48 hours and includes an audio guide sharing knowledge about the city. You’ll see the most iconic landmarks of Paris with this pass, including the Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower, and the Louvre, of course! 

Tickets to the Louvre 

Fast-track tickets 

These fast-track tickets guarantee you entry into the Lourvre’s permanent collection on a specified day and time slot. Scheduling a specified time slot helps you avoid waiting in those ridiculously long lines, allowing you more time to explore the greatest art pieces in human history. 

Private Guided Tour 

Splurging on your honeymoon? This reserved entry and private guided tour provide you with an intimate perspective on the Louvre. With over 35,000 pieces of art to discover, it can get overwhelming trying to make sense of this large museum. This two-and-a-half-hour private tour will help you grasp the complex history surrounding the Louvre and offer access to the museum for an entire day. 

Group Guided Tour 

Are you looking for a more casual tour with an English-speaking guide? This tour provides a comprehensive history of the museum’s origins, along with must-see treasures of the art world. Witness Napoleon III Apartments, the Mona Lisa, and other incredible works by famous artists from all over the world. 

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Here’s all you need to know about visiting the Louvre. Here’s a list of the top 10 places to eat nearby to help with you planning your visit!