Paris Louvre Museum: Semi-Private Guided Tour & Reserved Entry

Summary

Wander the Louvre’s halls in Paris with stories, secrets, and art

You’ll slip into the Louvre Museum in Paris with reserved entry and a small group, following a local guide who brings history alive. From marble statues to hidden moats and golden halls, you’ll get close to masterpieces (and maybe even laugh at your own French). It’s two-and-a-half hours that’ll leave you seeing Paris differently.

What’s the experience like?

“You see that scar on her ankle?” our guide Camille whispered, pointing at the Venus de Milo while we shuffled closer. There were just five of us — I liked that, less pressure to pretend I knew more about art than I do. Camille grinned when I tried to pronounce “Samothrace” (I didn’t even come close), but she didn’t make me feel silly. The marble felt cold under my hand when I leaned against the railing, and there was this faint echo of footsteps bouncing off centuries-old stone. I caught a whiff of someone’s perfume — sharp and floral — mixing with that old museum dust smell.

We’d started outside where pigeons outnumbered tourists for once, and then breezed past a line so long it curled around like a snake (reserved entry is honestly worth it). Inside, Camille led us through those endless galleries — Delacroix here, Michelangelo there. She told us how the Louvre used to be a fortress before it became this home for 35,000 pieces of art. At one point we ducked into the Medieval Moat underground; it was chilly down there, almost damp, and weirdly quiet except for our shoes scuffing on stone. I liked how she’d pause sometimes just to let us look — not rushing, just letting things settle in.

The Mona Lisa was smaller than I expected (everyone says that but it’s true), and people crowded forward with their phones held high. I didn’t bother fighting for a perfect photo — instead I watched an older couple holding hands as they stared at her smile like they were sharing some private joke. The Apollo Gallery glittered gold overhead; my neck hurt from looking up but it was worth it. By the end my feet were tired but my head was buzzing with stories — some about kings sneaking through secret doors, others about artists who never saw their work hang here at all.

Step-by-step itinerary

Day 1 — Guided Louvre Museum tour highlights

• Enter Louvre with reserved entry
• Explore fortress and royal history
• See Venus de Milo and Winged Victory
• Discuss Delacroix and Michelangelo paintings
• Visit underground Medieval Moat
• Admire Apollo Gallery
• View Mona Lisa and 19th-century masters

Top questions

How long does the semi-private Louvre tour last?

The tour lasts approximately 2.5 hours inside the museum.

Is entry to the Louvre included in this guided tour?

Yes, reserved entry tickets and all entrance fees are included.

What is the maximum group size for this tour?

The semi-private tour allows up to 6 guests per group.

Does this tour cover major artworks like Mona Lisa?

Yes, you’ll see highlights such as Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and more.

Are there any accessibility considerations?

Infants or small children can use prams or strollers; moderate physical fitness is recommended due to walking.

Will we visit any parts of the old fortress?

Yes, the tour includes exploring the underground Medieval Moat area of the original fortress.

Is hotel pickup included in this Louvre Museum tour?

No hotel pickup is provided; public transportation options are nearby.

Can large bags be brought into the museum?

No large bags or suitcases are allowed; only handbags or small backpacks pass security checks.

What’s included

Your day includes reserved entry tickets to the Louvre Museum in Paris, all entrance fees covered up front so you skip those long lines outside, plus a professional local guide leading your small group (never more than six people) through masterpieces and hidden corners for 2.5 hours inside.