Louvre Museum Official Website
The official Louvre ticketing website is ticket.louvre.fr, operated by the Musée du Louvre (the French state body managing the museum). Tickets are released 90 days in advance from midnight Paris time. The site sells standard adult tickets (€22 EEA / €32 non-EEA), free-admission timed tickets for eligible visitors, and the Louvre-Delacroix combined ticket (€24 EEA / €34 non-EEA). It does not sell guided tours — those are available through licensed third-party operators. The site is available in English and French.
Every year, visitors struggle with the Louvre’s ticketing system — not because it is particularly complex, but because several sites look official and are not, the actual official site sells out quickly for peak dates, and the new two-tier pricing (€22 for EEA residents, €32 for non-EEA visitors) has confused many travellers since it launched on 14 January 2026.
This guide explains exactly what the official website is, how to use it step by step, what each ticket type covers, and what to do when the official site shows no availability.
What Is the Official Louvre Website?
The official Louvre ticketing website is ticket.louvre.fr, managed by the Musée du Louvre — the French state body responsible for the museum. The informational website (louvre.fr) provides opening hours, collections information, room closure schedules, and accessibility details. Ticketing is handled separately at ticket.louvre.fr. Both are official; only the ticketing subdomain allows ticket purchase.
- Official ticketing URL: ticket.louvre.fr
- Official information URL: louvre.fr
- Languages: English and French
- Managed by: Musée du Louvre (French Ministry of Culture)
- Tickets released: 90 days in advance, from midnight Paris time
Warning: Several unofficial websites sell Louvre tickets at inflated prices under names like ‘louvre-tickets.com’ or ‘louvremuseum-tickets.net’. The only official ticketing site is ticket.louvre.fr. Always check the URL before entering payment details. Never buy from street vendors approaching you around the Pyramid — counterfeit tickets exist and are rejected at the door.
What Tickets Can You Buy on the Official Website?
| Ticket Type | Price (Adult) | What It Includes |
|---|---|---|
| Standard Admission (EEA resident) | €22 | Permanent collections + temporary exhibitions |
| Standard Admission (non-EEA) | €32 | Permanent collections + temporary exhibitions |
| Louvre-Delacroix Combined | €24 EEA / €34 non-EEA | Louvre + Musée National Eugène-Delacroix (same day or next) |
| Under-18 (all nationalities) | Free | Timed ticket required; valid ID on entry |
| EEA resident 18–25 | Free | Timed ticket required; residency proof required |
| Disabled visitor + 1 companion | Free | Timed ticket required; disability card required |
| First Friday of month (Oct–Mar) | Free | Free for all visitors after 6 PM |
The official website does not sell guided tours — those are available only through licensed third-party operators. If you want a guided tour, see our pages on the Louvre Small Group Guided Tour or the Louvre Mona Lisa Guided Tour for options.
Important pricing note: Since 14 January 2026, non-EEA residents (including American, British, Chinese, Australian, and Indian citizens) pay the higher €32 rate. EEA residents pay €22. This two-tier system applies to all standard adult tickets purchased through any channel — the official site, third-party platforms, and walk-up sales at the museum.
Step-by-Step: How to Buy Tickets on the Official Website
- Go to ticket.louvre.fr and select English if needed (the language selector is top-right)
- Click ‘Buy a ticket’ and choose ‘Individual’ (or ‘Groups’ for 7+ people)
- Select the ticket type — standard, Louvre-Delacroix combined, or free admission (and the category of free eligibility)
- Choose your visit date — the calendar shows availability (green = available, grey = sold out)
- Select your preferred 30-minute time slot — 9:00 AM books out first; afternoon and late slots (after 5 PM) often remain available longer
- Enter the number of visitors per ticket category
- Enter visitor details — for free-admission tickets, the name on the ticket must match the ID shown at the entrance
- Complete payment with credit or debit card — Visa, Mastercard, and Amex are accepted; bank transfer is available for groups
- Save your e-ticket — it is emailed as a PDF with a QR code. Screenshot the QR code in case of poor signal at the entrance
Important timing rule: Your ticket is valid for entry within a 30-minute window starting at your booked time. Arriving before the window opens means waiting outside security; arriving after it means your slot may not be honoured and you will need to queue at the ticket desk subject to availability.
When Does the Official Site Release Tickets?
Tickets are released 90 days in advance from midnight Paris time. For a visit on 15 July, tickets become available at midnight on 16 April. Popular dates — particularly summer weekends, school holidays, and the weeks around Easter — often sell out within hours of release. Setting an alarm for midnight and booking immediately is the most reliable strategy for securing preferred morning slots in peak season.
If your preferred date is sold out on the official site, check again at midnight — cancellations are released back into the system and can appear at any time of day, but midnight is when the largest batch typically becomes available.
What to Do When the Official Site Is Sold Out
When the official Louvre website shows no availability, three options remain: (1) check third-party booking platforms which operate from separate ticket allocations and often have availability when the official site does not; (2) check the official site again at midnight when cancellations are released; (3) use the Paris Museum Pass, which has its own reservation system — though it still requires booking a free time slot at the Louvre, and some slots remain available there when standard tickets are sold out.
- Book through a trusted partner: the Louvre Skip the Line Ticket is often available when the official site is not, with priority entry via Passage Richelieu and free cancellation up to 24 hours before
- Check for guided tours: the Louvre Small Group Guided Tour operates on separate ticket allocations
- Midnight check: Set an alarm for midnight Paris time and refresh the official site — cancellations are released in batches
- Paris Museum Pass: the Paris Museum Pass sometimes has slots when standard Louvre tickets do not, and covers 50+ other Paris museums in the same pass
For the full comparison between official and third-party booking, see our guide on Paris Museum Pass vs Louvre Ticket.
Is It Safe to Buy From the Official Website?
Yes — ticket.louvre.fr is operated by the French state and uses standard SSL encryption. Payment is processed through a secure payment gateway. The most important thing is to verify the URL is ticket.louvre.fr before entering card details — several lookalike sites exist that resell official tickets at inflated margins or are outright scams.
Signs you are on the correct site:
- URL is exactly ticket.louvre.fr (not .com, not .net, not louvre-tickets.fr)
- The site header shows the Musée du Louvre logo and ‘Établissement Public du Musée du Louvre’ branding
- Ticket prices match the official rates (€22 EEA / €32 non-EEA standard, free for eligible categories)
- No surprise service fees are added on top of the face value prices
- The footer links to louvre.fr, not a third-party domain
The Official App — Louvre App
In addition to the ticketing website, the Musée du Louvre operates the official Louvre app — a free digital companion for iOS and Android that includes an interactive floor plan with your current location, audio tours in nine languages (French, English, Spanish, Italian, German, Portuguese, Chinese, Japanese, Korean), accessible-route planning, and detailed information on major works. Download it before your visit for offline use. It pairs well with the free paper maps available at the information desks beneath the Pyramid.
How to Check Today’s Closed Rooms
The Louvre rotates room closures for maintenance, renovation, and installation work. On any given day, dozens of rooms may be closed — and the ones you want to see may be among them. Before your visit:
- Go to louvre.fr/en (the information site, not the ticketing site)
- Navigate to ‘Visit’ → ‘Hours & admission’ → ‘Schedule of room closures’
- Check the date of your visit
- Call +33 (0)1 40 20 53 17 on the day if you need last-minute confirmation
As of 2026, the Apollo Gallery is closed following the incident in October 2025. Parts of the Sully Wing have also had temporary closures due to structural assessments flagged in late 2025. For a current overview, see our Louvre Opening Hours guide.
Quick Reference: Official vs Third-Party Booking
| Official Website (ticket.louvre.fr) | Third-Party Platforms | |
|---|---|---|
| Standard entry price | €22 EEA / €32 non-EEA | €30–50 (includes service + added perks) |
| Guided tours available? | No | Yes — all types |
| Skip-the-line with Passage Richelieu entry? | No | Yes — on most products |
| Host welcome / orientation included? | No | Yes — on skip-the-line products |
| Availability | Often sells out weeks ahead | Usually has stock when official site is sold out |
| Ticket in your name? | Free tickets: yes, ID checked. Standard tickets: no name required | Usually not name-bound |
| Cancellation policy | Non-refundable, non-changeable | Usually free cancellation up to 24h before |
| Release window | 90 days in advance | Often further in advance |
| Combo tickets (Louvre + Eiffel / Seine / Versailles)? | No | Yes — multiple bundles available |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official Louvre Museum website?
The official ticketing website is ticket.louvre.fr, operated by the Musée du Louvre. The informational site (louvre.fr) provides opening hours, collection details, and room closures. Always check the URL before purchasing — multiple unofficial sites resell tickets at inflated prices.
How far in advance can I book Louvre tickets?
Tickets are released 90 days in advance from midnight Paris time on the official website. Third-party platforms often allow booking further ahead. In peak season (June–August), popular morning dates sell out within hours of release — book as early as possible.
Do I need to print my Louvre ticket?
No. A digital e-ticket shown on your smartphone (PDF with QR code) is accepted at all entrances. Screenshot the QR code before arriving in case of poor signal near the museum.
Why is there a different price for EEA and non-EEA visitors?
Since 14 January 2026, the Louvre introduced two-tier pricing: €22 for residents of the European Economic Area (EEA — the EU plus Iceland, Liechtenstein, and Norway), and €32 for non-EEA visitors. The differential funds the museum’s multi-billion-euro restoration and security modernisation programme. You will need to declare your residency when booking.
Are Louvre tickets refundable?
Official website tickets are non-refundable, non-changeable, and non-exchangeable. Third-party platforms vary — many offer free cancellation up to 24 hours before the visit for most products. Always check the specific cancellation policy before booking. For more, see our Louvre Ticket Refunds, Changes & Cancellations guide.
What if I can’t find the official website?
Type ‘ticket.louvre.fr’ directly into your browser. Do not search ‘buy Louvre tickets’ on Google — the paid results are often unofficial resellers. The official site URL always begins with louvre.fr (French government domain). Alternatively, reach it from our tickets page which links to verified booking sources.
Can I change my time slot after booking?
Official website tickets are not changeable after purchase — they are tied to a specific date and 30-minute time slot. Third-party operators have varying change policies. If you need flexibility, book a third-party ticket with free cancellation and rebook if your plans change.
Does the official website sell guided tours?
No. The Louvre runs a handful of thematic visits and school-group tours, but full guided experiences for individual visitors — small-group tours, private tours, Mona Lisa-focused tours, family tours — are only sold through licensed third-party operators.
How do I book a free-entry ticket?
Free admission applies to under-18s (all nationalities), EEA residents under 26, disabled visitors plus one companion, teachers of EEA member countries, job seekers, wounded veterans, museum members, and journalists. Select ‘Free admission’ on the booking page, choose the category that matches your eligibility, select a time slot, and bring original supporting documents to the entrance. Photocopies are not accepted.
