How to Reserve Your Louvre Time Slot with the Paris Museum Pass (Step by Step)
Holding a Paris Museum Pass isn’t enough to enter the Louvre — you must also book a free timed-entry slot in advance at the official Louvre site (ticket.louvre.fr), choosing the Paris Museum Pass holder option. Without it, you can be turned away. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and slots sell out fast in peak season. Here’s the exact step-by-step.
Why you need a slot as well as the pass
The pass covers your Louvre admission, but the museum caps how many people enter each half-hour, so every visitor — pass holders included — needs a timed reservation. Think of it as two separate things you carry together: the pass (which pays) and the free slot (which gets you through the door at a set time).
Step by step
- Buy your Paris Museum Pass first, so you have it ready.
- Go to the official Louvre ticketing site, ticket.louvre.fr (not a third-party site).
- Choose the “Paris Museum Pass” ticket type, not a paid ticket.
- Select your date and a half-hourly time slot.
- Enter the required details and confirm — the reservation is free for pass holders.
- Save the confirmation (with its QR code) to your phone, alongside your pass.
Book as early as you can
The Louvre is the world’s most-visited museum, and free pass-holder slots are limited, so popular times — especially mornings in spring and summer — can disappear weeks ahead. Reserve the moment you’ve bought your pass, and have a couple of backup times in mind in case your first choice is gone.
Choosing the best time slot
For the calmest visit, pick the first slot at opening or a later-afternoon time, and avoid the busy late-morning to early-afternoon window. The Louvre also has an evening opening on certain days (typically Friday), which is wonderfully quiet — a great option if it fits your trip.
Which entrance to use
With a reservation, head for the entrance designated for pass and reservation holders rather than the main general queue. The glass Pyramid is the principal entrance, but there are quicker access points for those with a slot — check your confirmation and the signage on arrival. Either way, you skip the line to buy a ticket.
Security still applies
Your pass and slot get you past the ticket queue, but everyone passes through security screening, which can mean a short wait at peak times. Arrive about 15 minutes before your slot, travel light, and avoid large bags (there are size limits and limited cloakroom space) to clear security smoothly.
Don’t book on a Tuesday
The Louvre is closed every Tuesday, so no slots exist that day — don’t plan your Louvre visit then. Build your Louvre day around the museum’s open days, and remember other major museums have their own closing days (the Orsay and many others close Mondays) when planning the rest of your trip.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Assuming the pass alone admits you — you must also reserve a slot.
- Booking a paid ticket by mistake — choose the Pass-holder option.
- Leaving it late — morning slots sell out well ahead.
- Planning a Tuesday — the Louvre is closed.
- Arriving without your QR confirmation — save it offline.
After the Louvre: use your pass the same day
Because the Louvre counts as a single entry, plan to see it in one visit — but your pass is far from done for the day. Step out into the Tuileries and the nearby Musée de l’Orangerie, or cross the river to the Musée d’Orsay, both included, to keep extracting value. A morning Louvre slot followed by one or two Seine-side museums makes for a high-value, well-paced day on a single pass.
Buy your Paris Museum Pass and book the Louvre
To visit the Louvre smoothly, buy your Paris Museum Pass online, then reserve your free timed slot at the official Louvre site straight away. Secure both in advance and walk in past the ticket queue to the world’s greatest museum.
Frequently asked questions
Does the pass include a Louvre time slot?
No — you must book a free timed slot separately, even with the pass.
Where do I book it?
At the official Louvre site, ticket.louvre.fr, choosing the Paris Museum Pass option.
Does the reservation cost anything?
No — it’s free for pass holders.
When is the Louvre closed?
Every Tuesday.
How early should I book?
As soon as you buy your pass — morning slots sell out weeks ahead in peak season.
What if I arrive without a reservation?
You can be turned away, even with a valid pass.