Louvre at Closing Time Tour with Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo
See the best of the Louvre with fewer crowds and a passionate guide on this late afternoon tour
Afternoon is the sweet spot for visiting the Louvre, and this small-group, timed-entry tour is the way to do it. Spots are limited and sell out quickly, so we recommend booking as soon as your Paris plans are set. With your expert guide, you’ll enter through a dedicated entrance (bypassing the long ticket lines) and head straight to icons like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and the Michelangelo Gallery. Fewer crowds mean more time and space to truly take it all in. Don’t let your spot slip away!
What You Get With This Tour
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Enjoy the Louvre with lighter crowds
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Expert English-speaking guide
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Timed entry to the Louvre
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Guided tour of Louvre masterpieces
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Mona Lisa viewing
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See Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace
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Fascinating storytelling throughout
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Curated route through the museum
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Guide tips
Tour Itinerary
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1
Your tour begins near the Louvre
Meet your guide near the Louvre. Look for the exact location on your booking voucher. Here, you’ll get a quick orientation before heading through security together. -
2
Skip the lines and enter the Louvre
While other visitors queue at the main entrance, you'll breeze through a separate door reserved for small groups. After security, you're inside the world's largest art museum, ready to explore its treasures. -
3
Guided tour of the Louvre
Your guide shares how this building started as a medieval fortress in the 1100s, then became a royal palace before transforming into a public museum. The walls themselves tell centuries of French history. -
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Meet the Mona Lisa
Now it's time for the star attraction. Leonardo da Vinci's tiny painting draws the biggest crowds, but visiting late afternoon means you'll actually get close enough to see her famous smile and maybe snap a photo. -
5
Marvel at the Winged Victory and Venus de Milo
Moving from paintings to statues, you'll encounter the headless Winged Victory at the top of a grand staircase and the armless Venus de Milo in the Greek halls. These ancient works are just as captivating as the paintings. -
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Discover Greek and Roman antiquities
Beyond the famous sculptures, you'll walk through rooms filled with pottery, jewelry, and everyday objects from ancient civilizations. Your guide points out highlights that most visitors rush past. -
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Your guided tour ends in the Michelangelo Gallery
Your final highlight is Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss, displayed in the Michelangelo Gallery in the Denon Wing. Here, you'll also encounter Michelangelo's famed slave sculptures and other iconic works before making your way out of the museum with your guide.
Additional Information
Discover what to expect, what's included, and everything you need to know before booking.
Good to know:
Book ahead: This tour sells out well in advance, especially during peak season. We recommend booking at least 48 hours in advance or as soon as your Paris dates are set to avoid missing out.
ID requirement: Please bring a government-issued ID in case of a security check at the entrance.
Security line: Although this tour includes timed entry, all guests must still pass through a security check before entering the Louvre. This means there still may be a wait to get inside the Louvre.
Unexpected closures: Specific galleries or rooms within the Louvre can close without notice due to maintenance, special events, or circumstances outside our control. Your guide will adjust the route if needed to ensure you still have a great experience.
Accessibility: Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible. Please contact us in advance if you have questions or concerns about your mobility. You can also join our Private Louvre Museum Tour for a fully customizable experience.
Bag policy: Large bags, backpacks, or suitcases over 55 x 35 x 20 cm are not permitted inside the museum.
Tour speed: This is a fast-paced highlights tour designed to cover the Louvre's most celebrated works in 2 hours. Expect to keep moving throughout, with limited time to linger at each stop. After the tour wraps up, it is museum policy to leave the Louvre with your group and guide.
Please note: Due to museum policies, it is not possible to remain inside the Louvre after the tour concludes.
Check-in: Arrive 15 minutes early for check-in at the meeting point so the group can enter sites on time.
Your 2-hour tour includes:
Expert English-speaking guide
Timed entry to the Louvre Museum
Late afternoon museum access
Guided viewing of the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and more
Insights and stories about artists
What to bring:
Government-issued ID
Camera
Water (in a clear bottle)
Comfortable shoes
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Customer Reviews
Sid, the tour guide was great. He was funny and engaging and made a HUGE museum manageable.
Avi was a great guide. He was charming, funny, informative, everything you want in a tour guide. I highly recommend him
Covered a lot of ground quickly and efficiently. Much smaller crowds late in the day.
Seemless, funny and great tour! From avoiding lines and crowds as we navigated the Louvre, lower wait restrooms, group access to great lockers, no better way to do it. Our guide provided the best introduction to the Mona Lisa before entering the room that I was actually suprised how big it was! We had to leave our tour a little early and it took a bit just to figure out how to get out, so very thankful for our guides ease of navigation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can we stay longer in the museum after the tour ends?
Due to museum rules, once your group tour is finished, you must exit the museum with your guide.
Can I use my Paris Museum Pass to get a discount on our Louvre tour?
We pre-book all of our reservations and admission tickets for the Louvre Museum in advance. While the Paris Museum Pass can bring you inside the Louvre, our tours include pre-booked reservations, so a Paris Museum Passes will not be valid on this tour.
What if I have concerns about my mobility?
Unfortunately, this tour is not wheelchair accessible, as it involves navigating some stairs inside the museum. If you have any doubts about your mobility, we suggest looking into a private Louvre Museum tour instead.
How far in advance should I book this tour?
As far ahead as possible. Timed-entry slots at the Louvre are limited, and this small-group tour is one of the first to fill. We strongly recommend booking as soon as your Paris dates are confirmed to avoid missing out.
Is this tour family-friendly?
Yes, this tour is family-friendly and suitable for all ages. Keep in mind it's a fast-paced walking tour with a focus on art history.
Will there be a wait at the security checkpoint?
Yes, all guests enter the Louvre through a security check, and wait times can vary depending on the day and time of year. Extra time is built into your tour to account for this.
Is this a good tour for first-time visitors to the Louvre?
Absolutely. This tour is designed as a curated introduction to the Louvre's greatest works, giving first-timers the stories and orientation they need to make the most of their visit.
What happens if part of the museum is closed on the day of the my tour?
Occasional closures of specific galleries or rooms can happen without much notice due to maintenance, special events, or other circumstances outside our control. Your guide will adapt the route as needed and make sure you still have a fantastic experience.
