The world's largest art museum, housed in a former royal palace with I.M. Pei's glass pyramid entrance. 35,000 objects from prehistory to the 19th century across 8 curatorial departments. Yes, the Mona Lisa is here. No, you should not make her the reason you visit.
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Skip the Mona Lisa crowd and head straight to the Mesopotamian antiquities or the Islamic art wing — both are extraordinary and comparatively empty. The French paintings (David, Delacroix, Ingres) are world-class. Spend time in the Cour Marly for the sculptures under glass. The Egyptian collection rivals Cairo. Allow a half-day minimum and accept that you will not see everything.
Wednesday or Friday evenings when the museum stays open until 9:45pm — fewer tourists and dramatically lit galleries. First Sunday of each month is free but completely packed. Book timed entry tickets online weeks in advance.
The Louvre receives 10 million visitors annually — it is genuinely overwhelming. The building was a royal palace from the 12th century until Louis XIV moved to Versailles in 1682. The museum opened in 1793 during the Revolution. The pyramid entrance dates to 1989 and was controversial then, beloved now. Use the Porte des Lions entrance for shorter queues. The Mona Lisa sits behind bulletproof glass surrounded by selfie-stick crowds — see her if you must, but understand that dozens of better paintings hang in less-trafficked rooms.