What to See First Inside the Louvre

The Louvre is enormous, so a little planning makes the visit much easier. If this is your first time, begin with the museum's headline masterpieces: the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace.

These rooms can get busy, especially late morning and early afternoon. Arriving close to your timed entry slot and heading straight to your must-see works helps you enjoy them before the busiest flow of visitors arrives.

After the famous works, slow down in the quieter galleries. The Egyptian antiquities, French paintings, and sculpture courtyards are ideal places to experience the museum without rushing from one landmark to the next.

A focused two or three-hour visit is usually more rewarding than trying to see everything. Pick a few priorities, follow the museum signs, and allow time to pause when something catches your eye.