The pyramid at a glance
The Louvre Pyramid stands in the Cour Napoléon, the main courtyard of the palace. Architect Ieoh Ming Pei designed it as part of the Grand Louvre project. The pyramid covers the central underground reception hall, which links the three wings of the museum. Most individual visitors enter the museum through it.
The opening took place in March 1989. The museum's current page on the pyramid gives 29 March 1989, while an older press release about the architect gives 30 March 1989. The year is the same in both, so this guide does not pick a day.
Why the pyramid exists
The idea behind the glass.
An entrance for the whole palace
The Louvre is a former palace with long wings around several courtyards. The Grand Louvre project added a central underground reception hall. The pyramid sits above that hall and marks the entrance above ground.
The hall underneath
From the hall you reach Denon, Sully and Richelieu. The information points hand out free maps, and the audio guides are collected at desks under the pyramid after a prior reservation.
The Louvre map explained →A second pyramid below ground
The underground Carrousel du Louvre, reached from rue de Rivoli, has an inverted pyramid of its own. Only the glass pyramid in the courtyard is the main entrance for individual visitors.
Louvre tours that start at the pyramid
Guided visits and combined tickets for the Louvre, with live prices and availability.
Using the pyramid as your entrance
How the queues and checks work.
Two kinds of queue
The museum separates queues by reservation and entry status. Know which one applies to you before you line up. A reservation is recommended, and in some periods it is required for everyone except listed exceptions.
Louvre tickets →Security screening
All visitors pass a security check at the entrance. A reservation does not remove it. Bags above 55 x 35 x 20 cm are not allowed, even in the reception area.
No free re-entry
Each exit is final. Leaving the museum for lunch and returning later is not covered by an ordinary ticket.
Opening hours at the door
The museum is open Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. It is closed on Tuesdays, and on 1 January, 1 May and 25 December. The last entry is one hour before closing, and rooms are cleared from 30 minutes before.
Opening hours →Proof of age and status
Visitors under 18 enter free of charge, whatever their nationality, and should carry an ID that shows the date of birth. Other free categories also need proof.
Other doors
The Carrousel entrance at 99 rue de Rivoli, the Passage Richelieu and the Porte des Lions work for some visitors and have their own conditions. The pyramid stays the standard door for individuals.
Photographing the pyramid
What the rules say and what we suggest.
Inside the permanent collections, private photos and videos are allowed. Flash, extra lighting and selfie sticks are not. Temporary exhibitions can have different rules, so look for signs at their entrances.
The permission covers private use. It does not give you a commercial photo or film permit. If you plan a professional shoot, or want to use a tripod or a drone, ask the museum first.
These are our own tips, not museum rules:
- Step back to the edges of the Cour Napoléon to fit the pyramid and the palace facades in one frame.
- Try the hour around dusk, when the glass and the lit facades balance each other. No hour is guaranteed to be free of people.
- Look for reflections in the glass panes.
- Walk toward the Place du Carrousel for another view of the palace and the courtyard.
Getting to the pyramid
The Cour Napoléon is in the middle of the palace.
Métro
Palais-Royal / Musée du Louvre on lines 1 and 7 is the closest station. Pyramides on line 14 is also listed by the museum. A single ticket costs €2.55 in 2026, and transfers within the Métro-train-RER network are valid for up to 2 hours.
Bus
The museum names lines 21, 27, 39, 67, 68, 69, 72, 74, 85 and 95. Check the stop and the direction.
By car
The Louvre car park is at 1 avenue du Général-Lemonnier, open 24 hours, maximum height 1.9 m. Central Paris has a restricted traffic zone that bans through traffic.
Plan the rest of your visit
After the pyramid.
Louvre Pyramid: frequently asked questions
Who designed the Louvre Pyramid?
Ieoh Ming Pei designed it as part of the Grand Louvre project, together with the central underground reception hall beneath it.
When did the Louvre Pyramid open?
It was inaugurated in March 1989. The museum's page gives 29 March, and an older press release gives 30 March, so the exact day differs by source.
Can I enter the Louvre without going through the pyramid?
Yes, for some visitors. The Carrousel entrance at 99 rue de Rivoli, the Passage Richelieu and the Porte des Lions have their own conditions. The pyramid is the main entrance for individual visitors.
Can I take photos of the pyramid?
For private use, yes. Inside the permanent collections photos are allowed without flash, extra lighting or selfie sticks. Professional shoots need separate permission.
Is the pyramid entrance always the fastest way in?
No entrance is guaranteed to be fast. Queues depend on your reservation, your entry status and the security check. Reserving a time slot is the part of the process you control.