Louvre Museum guided tour Paris: Mona Lisa and masterpieces

Walk straight to the Louvre's ten most famous works without navigating the crowds alone.

A 2-hour guided tour of the Louvre in Paris's 1st Arrondissement covers the museum's most iconic masterpieces: the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory and works spanning Italian Renaissance, ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome and 19th-century French painting. An expert local guide leads the route, museum entry and headsets are included, and the tour suits all fitness levels with reasonable walking involved.

Step-by-step itinerary

Explore Louvre's top masterpieces

• See Mona Lisa and learn secrets
• View Venus de Milo and Winged Victory
• Explore Italian Renaissance artworks
• Discover ancient Egypt, Greece, Rome art
• Learn about Louvre's royal palace history
• Walk through sumptuous royal corridors
• Hear stories behind art and artists
• Explore other fascinating artworks

The experience

The Louvre holds nearly 10 miles of galleries and over 35,000 pieces. Without a guide, finding the highlights means hours of wandering. This tour cuts straight to the ten must-see works, starting with the Mona Lisa: your guide shares the stories and secrets behind why this portrait stops visitors in their tracks. You'll also stand in front of the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory, two sculptures that anchor the museum's reputation, then move through galleries spanning Italian Renaissance paintings, ancient Egyptian artifacts, Greek and Roman sculpture, and the grand French paintings of the 19th century.

The guide walks you through the same sumptuous corridors that Kings, Queens and Emperors once used when the Louvre was a royal palace before becoming a museum. Headsets ensure you hear every word of commentary even in crowded galleries, and the 2-hour pace means you cover the masterpieces without the fatigue of a full-day museum visit. The route is designed to move you past the bottlenecks where most visitors cluster, so you spend your time looking at art instead of waiting in line to see it.

What’s included

• Museum entry ticket for adults.
• expert local guide speaking English.
• headsets so you hear the guide in crowded galleries.
• access to the ten must-see masterpieces plus other fascinating artworks along the route.
• stories and context about the artists and the works themselves.

Information

Lasts 2h, runs every day except Tuesday and Thursday, 4 start times, from € 63.90 per person, with a live guide in English and with free cancellation up to 24 h before.

Days and timesMonday: 14:15Wednesday: 13:00, 14:15 and 19:00Friday: 13:00Saturday: 10:15 and 14:15Sunday: 13:00 and 14:15Another time? ›

GroupUp to 20 · max 6 per booking2 private ›

Live guideEnglishOther languages ›

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends at a different place from where it starts.

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (18 and older) · Child (4 to 17 years) · Infant (under 4): free

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund.

Prices and times updated today

Good to know

Low physical effortPublic transport nearby

Operated by Memories France

Is this one for you?The English-language guide and headsets mean you follow every word of commentary even when galleries are crowded, so you don't miss the context that makes these paintings and sculptures matter: useful if you want to understand the art, not just see it.

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Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (4 to 17 years); Infant (under 4): free.

What happens if it rains?

It may be canceled due to bad weather. If that happens, you're offered another date or a refund. Free cancellation up to 24 h before the start.

How do I get to the Louvre and where does the tour start?

The Louvre is located in Paris's 1st Arrondissement. Public transportation options are available nearby to reach the museum. The tour does not include hotel pickup or drop-off, so you'll make your own way to the meeting point. If you're arriving by taxi, allow extra time: finding one in Paris can take considerable time.

What are the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, and why do people travel to see them?

The Mona Lisa is a portrait painting by Leonardo da Vinci, famous for the subject's mysterious expression and the painting's technical mastery. It's one of the most recognizable artworks in the world. The Venus de Milo is an ancient Greek marble sculpture of the goddess Aphrodite, celebrated for its graceful form and the mystery of its missing arms. Both are among the Louvre's most visited works, and your guide explains what makes each one significant.

Is this tour suitable for someone who isn't very fit or walks slowly?

The tour involves a reasonable amount of walking through the museum galleries, but it is suitable for all physical fitness levels. Wear comfortable shoes, as you'll be on your feet for the full 2 hours. The tour is not suitable for wheelchair users due to the nature of the museum layout.

What's included in the price, and do I need to buy a separate museum ticket?

The tour includes the €28 adult entrance ticket to the Louvre, a live English-speaking guide, and headsets so you hear the commentary clearly. Gratuities for the guide are optional. Children under 18 and EEA residents under 26 receive free admission to the museum with valid ID and proof of residency, which may reduce the cost of your booking.

Can I cancel if my plans change?

You can cancel your tour up to 24 hours before departure and receive a full refund. Cancellations made after that window or no-shows are not refundable.

What time period does the art span, and will I learn about the artists?

The tour covers artworks from ancient Egypt, Greece and Rome through the Italian Renaissance and into 19th-century French painting. Your expert local guide shares the stories behind the art and artists, helping you understand what makes these masterpieces significant rather than simply pointing them out.