How to Use the Paris Museum Pass at the Louvre (With the Required Reservation)
The Paris Museum Pass includes entry to the Louvre — but you must still book a free timed-entry slot at the official Louvre site (ticket.louvre.fr) before you go, or you can be turned away even with a valid pass. With a slot booked, you use a priority entrance and skip the ticket-buying queue. Note the Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. Here’s exactly how to do it.
The pass covers entry, not the time slot
This is the single most important thing to understand: the pass pays for your Louvre admission, but it does not automatically reserve a time. The Louvre requires every visitor, including pass holders, to hold a timed-entry reservation. The pass and the reservation are two separate things you need together.
How to book your free Louvre slot
- Buy your Paris Museum Pass first.
- Go to the official Louvre ticketing site (ticket.louvre.fr).
- Select the option for Paris Museum Pass holders and choose a date and time.
- Complete the free reservation — there’s no extra charge for pass holders.
- Save the confirmation alongside your pass on your phone.
Book early — slots sell out
Free pass-holder slots are limited and the Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum, so popular times disappear fast, especially in high season. Book your slot as soon as you’ve bought your pass, and aim for an early-morning or later-afternoon time to avoid the busiest midday crowds.
Which entrance to use
With a reservation, head for the priority entrance for pass and reservation holders rather than joining the general queue. The famous glass Pyramid is the main entrance, but pass holders can often use a quicker, dedicated access point — check your confirmation and the on-site signage. Either way, you’ll skip the ticket-buying line.
Security still applies
The pass and reservation get you past the ticket queue, but everyone goes through security screening, which can mean a short wait at peak times. Travel light, avoid large bags (there are size limits and cloakroom constraints), and arrive a little before your slot to clear security comfortably.
Closed Tuesdays — and other timing tips
The Louvre is closed every Tuesday, so don’t plan your Louvre day then. It’s busiest midday and on weekends; quietest at opening, late in the day, and on the evening opening (typically Friday). Planning your reserved slot around these patterns makes for a far calmer visit.
How much the pass saves you here
The Louvre is the pass’s headline saving. Admission rose to €32 in 2026, with a 45% increase for non-EU visitors, so a single Louvre visit already covers a big chunk of a pass’s cost. Combine it with two or three other sites and the pass pays for itself comfortably.
Make the most of your visit
- Pick a few priorities — the Louvre is vast; you can’t see it all.
- Use the pass for a second visit elsewhere the same day, as the Louvre is one entry.
- Download the official Louvre app or map to navigate.
- Avoid Tuesdays (closed) and aim for opening time.
- Keep your pass and slot confirmation handy.
What to see first in the Louvre
The Louvre is enormous, so a quick plan helps. Most first-timers head straight for the Mona Lisa and the Italian paintings, then the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, before exploring the Egyptian antiquities and the opulent Napoleon III Apartments. Pick a handful of priorities rather than trying to see everything, follow the official map or app, and remember your pass lets you leave and use it at another site the same day, since the Louvre counts as a single entry.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass for the Louvre
To visit the Louvre the smart way, buy your Paris Museum Pass online, then book your free timed slot at the official Louvre site. Secure both in advance and walk in past the ticket queue at the world’s greatest museum.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Louvre included in the Paris Museum Pass?
Yes — on all three durations.
Do I still need to reserve a time?
Yes — you must book a free timed slot at ticket.louvre.fr; the pass doesn’t include it.
What happens without a reservation?
You can be turned away, even with a valid pass.
When is the Louvre closed?
Every Tuesday.
Does the pass skip security?
No — security screening still applies to everyone.
How much does the pass save at the Louvre?
Louvre entry is €32 in 2026, so it covers much of the pass cost in one visit.