Visiting the Louvre and Tuileries Garden: Practical Tips for Your Paris Trip
The Louvre and its surrounding area can easily fill most of a day, even if you don’t try to see everything. Add a few of Paris’s famous views and a stroll through the Tuileries Garden, and you have a full day of sightseeing.
We visited the Louvre in the morning and spent the afternoon exploring the garden outside. Along the way, I learned a few things I wish I’d known beforehand — especially when it came to seeing the Mona Lisa! Here’s how our visit went, along with practical tips to help you plan your own day.
Visit the Louvre Museum in the Morning
We booked 9 a.m. tickets for the Louvre, hoping to get an early start before the museum became too crowded.
One tip that helped us was entering through the Carrousel du Louvre, the underground shopping area directly beneath the Louvre Pyramid. If you’re standing in front of the Louvre, look to the right along Rue de Rivoli for the entrance. Head downstairs into the shopping area and follow the signs for the museum entrance.
This entrance doesn’t guarantee you’ll skip the queues, but it does mean you may be waiting indoors rather than outside in the sun. Lines and entry procedures can vary, so check the Louvre’s official entrance and directions information before your visit.
Once inside, you’ll find yourself in the central lobby beneath the pyramid, where you can get your bearings before heading to the galleries.
The Louvre is enormous. What began as a medieval fortress later became a royal palace, and today it houses an incredible collection of art and historical objects. You could spend days exploring it all, so having a general idea of what you want to see will help you make the most of your time.
Seeing the Mona Lisa
Of course, one of the most famous stops in the Louvre is the Mona Lisa. I knew it would be crowded, but I wasn’t quite prepared for the experience.
Picture me and hundreds of my closest friends, all slowly inching forward to see one painting.
The process was surprisingly organized though, considering the crowd. During our visit, viewers moved forward in roughly single-file rows, and each row got approximately 20–30 seconds at the front of the rope to see the painting and take photos. Staff then opened the rope, and the group moved along to make room for the next row of visitors.
Here’s where being 5’2″ tall worked against me. My 6’2″ husband was standing in front of me, so as we slowly inched forward, I couldn’t really see what was happening ahead of us. I was just following his lead.
Before I knew it, the rope opened, and we were moving along with the crowd. My husband walked right through, and I followed him. Except I’d never actually made it to the front for a proper view of the Mona Lisa!
I was SO disappointed! The museum staff won’t let you stop once you’ve passed through the rope, so there was no turning back. And I wasn’t about to join that enormous queue all over again. I had to settle for seeing the Mona Lisa in my husband’s photos instead.
My advice? If you’re shorter, pay attention as your turn approaches and make sure you actually get your chance to see the painting before following the crowd out. Don’t assume you’ll be able to stop for a better look once you’ve moved past the viewing area.
I was also surprised by how small the Mona Lisa looked in person. It’s certainly worth seeing if it’s on your list, but the crowds can make the experience less enjoyable than you might expect. I wouldn’t make it the only reason for visiting the Louvre.
Was it worth seeing? I think so. It’s one of those famous works of art that you’ve heard about for years, and seeing it in person is a memorable part of visiting the Louvre. Just be prepared to share the experience with plenty of other visitors.
Directly across from the Mona Lisa is another impressive painting: The Wedding Feast at Cana. At about 22 feet tall and 32 feet wide, it’s enormous compared with the painting opposite it. It depicts the biblical story of the wedding where Jesus turned water into wine.
After the crowds around the Mona Lisa, it was a treat to step back and take in a painting on such a grand scale.
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Exploring the Louvre’s Art Collection
We used a Rick Steves Europe audio tour to explore some of the Louvre’s highlights. I like having the background and stories behind the things I’m looking at, and an audio tour lets you move at your own pace rather than keeping up with a group.
Unfortunately, some of the exhibits mentioned in the tour, including works we wanted to see, were being renovated or were out on loan. That was a bit of a bummer, but it’s a good reminder that museum displays change.
The Louvre has an incredible amount of art, from ancient civilizations to European masterpieces, and we only scratched the surface. You could spend days here and still not see everything.
Before you go, make a shortlist of the works or galleries you’re most interested in seeing. You’ll have a better experience if you enjoy a few things that matter to you rather than rushing through the museum trying to see everything.
There’s also a pretty excellent gift shop and several cafés inside the museum. The cafés have lovely views, but the menus were pricey, so keep that in mind if you’re planning to eat there.
Tips for Planning Your Louvre Visit
A little advance planning can make a big difference, especially if you’re fitting the Louvre into a short Paris itinerary. Here are the things I’d keep in mind:
- Book your tickets in advance. Check the official Louvre website for current ticket information and timed-entry options. Having a ticket doesn’t necessarily mean you’ll walk straight inside, so leave some time for entry.
- Check the entrance information before you go. Look at the museum’s official directions and entrance details, and be prepared for queues. Your experience may vary depending on when you visit.
- Choose a few must-see works. The collection is far too large to cover in one visit. Decide what matters most to you, then leave time to explore anything else that catches your eye.
- Consider an audio tour. We enjoyed the Rick Steves Europe audio tour because it added context without locking us into a group schedule.
- Consider a guided tour. If you’d rather have someone else plan the route and highlight the museum’s key works, a semi-private Louvre tour is another option to consider.
- Allow more time than you think you’ll need. The size of the museum, the crowds, and the time spent navigating between galleries can add up. If you have other sightseeing plans, leave some breathing room in your schedule.
If you’re visiting Paris for only a few days, it’s tempting to squeeze in as many attractions as possible. I understand the temptation because that’s exactly what I tried to do! But the Louvre is one place where a little breathing room can make the experience more enjoyable.
Take a Walk Through the Tuileries Garden
After spending the morning inside the Louvre, wandering through the Tuileries Garden was a welcome change of pace.
The garden stretches between the Louvre and Place de la Concorde, with tree-lined paths, fountains, sculptures, and plenty of places to sit. You don’t need a detailed plan here. Just stroll along the paths, enjoy the views, and take a break from the busy museum.
We enjoyed the views back toward the Louvre and the chance to spend some time outdoors. After hours inside looking at art, it was nice to stretch our legs and take photos without feeling like we needed to hurry on to the next attraction.
We also stumbled across the Olympic cauldron during our visit, which was a fun surprise.
During our summer visit, the garden was home to the Olympic cauldron from the 2024 Paris Olympics. This was a fun surprise, but this installation is not always here. Check current information if it’s something you’d like to see.
Stop for Lunch in the Tuileries Garden
One thing I wish I’d planned better was lunch.
We found that the cafés in the Tuileries Garden were more affordable than the cafés inside the Louvre. If you’re trying to keep food costs down, it’s worth comparing your options before you visit rather than assuming you need to eat inside the museum.
Check opening hours and available food options ahead of time, particularly if you’re visiting outside the main tourist season. You may want to plan lunch around the garden, then take your time enjoying the rest of the afternoon.
Even if you don’t stop for a meal, the garden makes a natural transition between the Louvre and other attractions in central Paris.
Are the Louvre and Tuileries Garden Worth Visiting?
Absolutely. The Louvre is worth visiting for its art, architecture, and sheer scale—even if you can only see a small part of the collection. And while my attempt to see the Mona Lisa properly didn’t go as planned, the experience was memorable for more than one reason!
The Tuileries Garden is an easy addition to your day and gives you a chance to slow down after the busy museum. You can enjoy the paths, fountains, sculptures, and views without needing to plan every minute.
My biggest takeaway? Don’t try to see everything. Choose a few Louvre highlights you really want to see, allow yourself enough time, and leave room to enjoy the garden afterward.
If you’re planning your first trip to the city, take a look at my 3 Days in Paris itinerary for more ideas on how to fit the sights into your visit.
Planning Your Trip? Read Next: ✈️
- 3 Days in Paris – A practical guide for first-time visitors
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- Rhine River Cruise Itinerary – Our day-by-day journey from Amsterdam to Basel
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