As of January, 2019, the Musée du Louvre opens its doors for free to all visitors on the first Saturday night of each month! That’s right – for free – from 6:00pm to 8:45pm.
Louvre to Open First Saturday Night Each Month with Free Admission
Attempting to attract more first-time locals to visit, the Louvre adds the first Saturday of each month to its free admission line up. As the most visited museum in the world, the Louvre has no problem attracting visitors. But, it wants more locals to visit as well.
With this exciting news out of Paris, the Louvre adds more time for locals and visitors from all over the world to visit the Louvre without paying the price of admission. Right now, a full-price admission ticket is 17 euros. For a family of 4, that price could keep away many families working full time jobs and trying to make ends meet. So, to try to get more locals in the doors, it has opened on an additional night. That is good fortune for visitors, too!
Past Efforts
In the past, the Louvre opened on the first Sunday of each month with free admission, trying to draw in the locals. But, after reviewing data on visitors coming at that increasingly popular free day, the museum lacked an increase in locals. It appears that more and more international visitors are taking advantage of the 12 free Sundays each year. Who doesn’t want a free entry?
One goal of the Louvre is to engage locals. Saturday night seems like an obvious gateway to reach suburban locals wanting a night out. Louvre officials hope that this additional free time does the job and entices young adults and families from outside Paris proper to take advantage of the world’s most-visited museum. In addition to being free, the museum is hosting a board game area and a reading corner – all trying to lure young families in the door!
Bonus for You!
Of course, for non-local visitors, it is a boon as well. Night visits are an extraordinary way to see the massive royal palace and its dumbfounding treasures. Along with looking out of the windows into the night sky of the city, fewer people visit at night. You may wind up in a gallery with entire rooms to yourself. Admire the art with only your family and friends. Climb the worn marble stairs alone. Wander through the vast space and imagine the kings and queens that were there before you.
Musée du Louvre
Hours: Open Wednesday – Sunday from 9am to 6pm
Night opening until 9:45pm on Wednesdays and Fridays
Night opening until 8:45pm on FIRST Saturday of the month beginning January 2019
CLOSED TUESDAYS
CLOSED: on the following holidays: January 1, May 1, May 8 and December 25.
Arrondissement: 1st
Nearest Métro: Two stops serve the Louvre. Exiting at Louvre-Rivoli, you will be at the eastern-most end of the Louvre. Exiting at Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre, you will be closer to the pyramid entrance and very close to the entrance at the Passage de Richelieu (if they will let you in) and the entrance through the Carousel de Louvre – kind of underground shopping area that leads you to the main entrance under the pyramid.
Nourishment: Food and drink options available inside the Louvre in various locations – enjoy a baguette sandwich overlooking the entrance while watching the people come down the stairs under the pyramid!
Official website: https://www.louvre.fr/en/
Suggested time to visit: In the evenings on the days it is open late
You may also be interested in one of the lesser known museums in Paris, such as Musée Picasso Paris, Musée Marmottan Monet or Musée Rodin. See the article on “15 Lesser-Known Museums in Paris” for more details here.
