One Week Trip to Paris

If you want to experience the Louvre without fighting the massive daytime crowds, here is a tip that worked for us. Book one of their extended evening hours slots on a Wednesday or Friday.

The museum stays open until 9:00 PM on Wednesdays and Fridays, and it is a completely different experience. Most of the massive tour buses and midday crowds clear out by late afternoon, meaning you can actually view masterpieces like the Mona Lisa or the Venus de Milo with roughly 40% less foot traffic.

Here is exactly how to do it:

• Lock in a 6:00 PM or 6:30 PM slot: This gives you a solid two to three hours to explore in a much quieter atmosphere before the galleries start clearing at 8:30 PM.
• Book early on the official website: You must reserve a mandatory timed-entry slot in advance on the Official Louvre Ticketing Portal. You do not need a Paris Museum Pass to do this.
• Bonus Tip: To breeze through security even faster, skip the main line at the Glass Pyramid and use the underground Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall entrance instead!