Louvre on Friday evening

Hi David. We had a museum pass and went in during the day (can't remember day of week); it was very crowded. Then we happened to be on the metro at night and noticed we were going by the museum stop, so we decided on a whim to go back in. Walked right in, no crowds, a much more relaxing experience. Enjoy your trip!

I was in the Louvre on a Friday midday in early June and it was terribly noisy and crowded, especially since that is the time of year that all the schools take classes on field trips. The little ones were ok, but the teenagers were really LOUD. I fled around 3 p.m.. I went back around 7.30 p.m. and it was a different world. That morning I couldn't get a photo of the Winged Victory because of all the tourists around it, that evening I was the only person there. I went through the Egyptian wing in the upper floor and I don't think there were another dozen people there. I was alone in most of the rooms. By the time I got to the Mona Lisa, around 9, there were only about 10 people there. The Louvre's website has several self-guided tours that you can print out. They are called Thematic Trails. I used the one called From Palace to Museum: 800 Years of History It was interesting in and of itself, but it also took me past all the highlights of the collections.

Thanks for both responses. Much appreciated.

I spent a month in Paris on my last visit in the height of summer and went to the Louvre many times on Wed or Fri from 5pm on... the place was practically empty every time. For me, that is the only time to go.

I had a pass that let my husband come in with my Weds and Friday nights so we always went those nights on extended trips to Paris. The plus is that it is less crowded. The minus is that many of the galleries are not well lit at night since their lighting depends on window light; my husband has poor vision and it is something of a problem for him in some of the galleries.

Some wings will be closed evenings as well and so you may not get to see particularly things you would like to see.

We always go to the Louvre on Friday nights when we are in Paris and love it! The later it gets, the fewer people there are. I love looking out the windows and seeing the lights outside - the place has a different atmosphere when it's dark outside, especially some of the rooms that are primarily lit with sunlight. Highly recommend!

Thanks again for all the responses. I'm pretty sure I'll visit the Louvre on Friday night. I'll only be in Paris for the weekend (not my first time there) so I think Friday night will work best.

Nothing was closed when I was there many times, and the lighting was fine for me.

There are always galleries closed on Friday nights. They are listed in the pyramid near the information desks. Often one doesn't notice it as one is not seeking those works. On one occasion though we found the entire Egyptian section closed.

@Susan, A section or two is always closed during p.m. hours due to guard staffing. However, the galleries with the most famous objects most first-time visitors are looking for are open. I agree with the others that it's a lovely time to be there (or Musee d'Orsay evening hours, too) and looking at the lights outside, especially coming back up the pyramid escalator is a breathtaking treat.

Thanks again. Now I have another related question. I was planning on getting a 2 day museum pass on Friday to avoid lines at the Louvre,but would it make more sense to get it Saturday since the Louvre isn't that crowded Friday night. Then I'd have the pass for Saturday and Sunday.

janet and Bets, I stand corrected... I should have said I didn't notice any sections that were closed. I didn't just see the famous top attractions, I wandered all over but did not cover anywhere near all of the Louvre... too big. Saw so much there I had no idea was even there and I'm sure there's lots more I didn't see...

David, that makes sense to me. The long lines at the Louvre are for security checks at the Pyramid entrance. If you start at the Carousel entrance, you go through a shopping mall to the Louvre entrance and the security line - if any - is short. Once you're inside, you can buy a ticket at a machine or a window. I've never seen long lines there.

If you are planning to visit the Orsay, I suggest you get there first thing in the morning and start your visit on the top floor, then work your way down. Most people do the opposite, and the top floor is the most crowded. That's where most of the Impressionist paintings are. When I was last there, there was a separate security line, on the side entrance, for members and pass-holders.

Thanks Chani. Sounds like a good plan.