The Louvre Museum in Paris, France is the most recognized art museum in the world. Nearly 8 million people visited the Louvre in 2022 to view the collection of over 35,000 works on display. And the items that do get displayed are just a small percentage of the over 600,000 works possessed by the museum. From the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo, some of the most revered Western artworks ever created reside here.
Plan to visit? Discover all that the Louvre has to offer, and the travel medical insurance to purchase before you visit.
Travel Medical Insurance for Travelers visiting the Louvre Museum – FAQs
Much like fine art, your health deserves to be looked after. And you can’t neglect necessary medical care just because you’re on vacation in a foreign country. If you get sick or hurt abroad and need a hospital or doctor, you’ll want the best care available. The trouble is knowing how to pay for treatment in a country where your domestic health insurance isn’t accepted. The answer is travel medical insurance.
Do I need travel medical insurance for the Louvre Museum?
Travel medical insurance is compulsory in order to enter France if you require a Schengen visa. If you’re allowed to enter the country without a visa, insurance is optional. However, due to the unaffordable cost of treatment without it, travel medical insurance is recommended for all visitors to the Louvre and to France.
Why buy travel medical insurance before visiting the Louvre Museum?
If you need medical care while visiting Paris, you’ll have no trouble finding quality providers, but they will be expensive. Healthcare is not free for visitors, so you could end up with a bill that you can’t afford to pay. To ensure you can get the care you need for a price you can predict, get travel medical insurance.
the Louvre Museum’s Most Popular Attractions
Located in a former palace for French kings, the Louvre covers over 780,000 square feet. With so much on display, it can be hard to know where to start. It’s best to plan your visit ahead of time, have an idea of what you want to see, and what you can pass up. Keep in mind that it would be impossible to see even a fraction of what the Louvre displays in a single day, so you’ll need to be realistic about your trip.
Do some research on the works you’re interested in, and perhaps start with these attractions:
The Mona Lisa
It’s perhaps the most famous painting in the history of the world, so making a trip to see Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece an absolute must. Located in the Denon Wing in Room 711, the Mona Lisa is the most popular painting in the Louvre. As such, it attracts quite a crowd. You may have to go quite early or visit during off times to get an unencumbered glimpse of it, but it’s most certainly worth the effort. After all, there’s only one Mona Lisa.
Venus de Milo
Located in the Galerie des Antiques of the Sully Wing, the Venus de Milo, also known as Aphrodite, is one of the most renowned statues in history. The statue was created around 100 BC, and supposedly represents the ancient Greek ideal of beauty. It was discovered on the island of Milos in 1820 and presented to French King Louis XVIII. Viewing the statue, you may wonder exactly how the subject’s arms, which are missing, are supposed to be positioned; and what they might have been holding. It’s a mystery that art historians have been pondering for centuries.
The French Crown Jewels
If you’re a fan of bling, it’s hard to get much more opulent than this. The French crown jewels were custom made for members of the royal family. Highlights include the flawless 140-carat Regent diamond, and the Couronne de l'Impératrice Eugénie, a crown for Empress Eugénie that contains 2,480 diamonds and 56 emeralds.
The Grand Entrance
You’ll probably recognize the iconic courtyard of the Louvre’s Grand Entrance from Hollywood films and TV shows. The instantly recognizable 22-meter glass pyramid is unmistakable. It’s constructed of 675 panes of glass, bathing the interior with natural light. While there are certainly quicker ways to enter the Louvre, no trip would be complete without seeing the Glass Pyramid.
The Medieval Louvre
To take a trip back in time and head underground. The Medieval Louvre shows off the foundation of the palace that became this famous museum. Constructed in the 12th century, you can even see what’s left of the imposing moat and dungeons. For history buffs, The Medieval Louvre is ideal. You can peruse rooms full of documents and paintings that detail the history of the building, which stretches back nearly a thousand years.
Key Guidelines for Travelers visiting the Louvre Museum
As such a massive tourist attraction, it’s best to plan your trip to the Louvre well ahead of time and utilize these tips:
Book a Walking Tour
If you wander around the Louvre aimlessly, you’re bound to miss a lot of the best parts. The museum is simply too large. You’re far better off booking a guided tour. A typical tour might last around three hours, and will guide you to all of the museum’s highlights. As a bonus, you’ll get to skip the long lines and make the most of your visit.
Reserve Tickets Ahead of Time
While it is technically possible to show up to the Louvre and buy tickets onsite, don’t depend on it. If the museum is sold out, you aren’t getting in. You’re far better off buying a timed ticket in advance. This way, you can simply show up, show your ticket, and head in with less worry.
Book Later in the Day
The Louvre is open until 9:45pm on Fridays. Consider booking tickets for after dinner. You can get in up until an hour before closing, and the crowds will be far smaller than in the middle of the day. You’ll get a much better view of the most popular works with fewer people around.
Be Realistic
If you think you’re going to see everything at the Louvre, think again. Even if you just glanced at every work on display in the museum, it would take six weeks to see them all. Instead, research a handful of interesting works you’d like to see and focus on them. It’s far more enjoyable to have time to actually experience the art on display than it is to be rushing around.
Pricing
Head to the Louvre’s official website for current pricing. Also, keep in mind that visitors who are age 26 and under and are EU residents can enter the museum for free. Plus, all visitors age 18 and under can visit for free. This makes the Louvre an economical destination for families.
Before You Visit the Louvre Museum – Do This
- Wear comfortable shoes – It’s a massive museum, and you’re going to be on your feet for at least a couple of hours.
- Book tickets ahead of time – If you’re traveling all this way, you’ll want guaranteed entry to the museum at your time of choice.
- Shop for and purchase insurance – Don’t let a health or travel mishap impact your Louvre trip more than it has to. Buy travel medical insurance for a more secure trip.