Best entrance to the Louvre

Try this link to the various entrances:
https://www.louvre.fr/en/visit/map-entrances-directions

If you have Rick's Paris guidebook, he recommends the entrance in the shopping center underneath and he gives details on how to get there.
It's been a few years since I've been, but if I remember correctly, once I got off the Metro (also I remember Metro ticket checkers here - you round a corner from the Metro to the entrance to the shopping center and there they were. I saw several people get busted for not having a valid Metro ticket.) this entrance was easy to find and not crowded. I didn't have a ticket ahead of time, because i went on the spur of the moment, but I was able to buy a ticket at a newstand in the shopping center and went right in.
Everyone has to go through a security/bag check line; I'm not sure there's a special line for people who have skip the line tickets.

The alternate entrance is the Carrousel entrance which is downstairs. I was able to enter there once over the last 2weeks with a timed entry, the other time (with a timed entry as well)they sent me back up to the Pyramid entrance. I exit that way to head out to the Tuileries and again, once no line, the other time a huge line of ticketholders with timed entries.

You’ll be in line for security with everyone from your time slot. Security can’t be bypassed by anyone and that is what creates the lines.

It does process fairly quickly.

I’m glad you got timed entries as they are selling out. The 1st day I went the security person was spending her whole time telling people the times were completely sold for that day.

Thanks so much. This is all so helpful!

Linda, do you know yet how you will get to the Louvre that day? Ok… I realize that is a slightly bizarre question, lol!!

We. entered a couple of weeks ago with a timed ticket and entered with no line to speak of at the carousel entrance accessed from the metro directly into the underground mall.

There is no such thing as a 'skip the line' ticket. There are just tickets. Before COVID those with tickets had separate security lines at most museums, but now most museums want timed tickets and so everyone is in whatever lines there are.

I will try this carousel entrance. Thanks. I have looked up the best way to get to the Louvre from our lodging near the Eiffel Tower. Hopefully it will all work out for us. Thanks all for your help

Like Pam, I was once turned away at the Carousel entrance. If you hit a time when a lot of groups are arriving, they could stop individuals from using that entrance. But, in the 20+ years that I've used that entrance, it has happened once.

Linda -- when you get off line 1 of the metro -- or line 7 at the Louvre stop do not follow the signs to the Louvre Museum -- look for signs to 'Carousel du Louvre' -- that takes you directly into the underground mall and you walk through the mall to the entrance -- there is a big inverted glass pyramid in the general area of the entrance and security lines.

Thanks, Jane. I appreciate these directions. Linda

Question: In reading the RSG, it appears that the mall entrance opens at 10 AM. It seems to follow that if you have a 9:00 AM timed ticket, you are compelled to queue at the main entrance?