Louvre

The Musee du Louvre is the most visited museum in the world and the crown jewel of any Paris trip. Once a royal palace, it now holds more than 35,000 works spread across eight curatorial departments, from ancient Egyptian antiquities to European painting masterpieces. The building itself is part of the experience, with the glass pyramid designed by I.M. Pei rising from the historic Cour Napoleon as the modern entrance.

Most travelers come for the icons. The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci draws the largest crowds in the Denon wing, while the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace stand as two of the most famous sculptures ever carved. Beyond these highlights you will find Egyptian sarcophagi, Mesopotamian reliefs, the apartments of Napoleon III and vast galleries of French and Italian painting. It is physically impossible to see everything in one visit, so it helps to pick two or three departments and move slowly.

Lines at the pyramid can stretch for hours in high season, so a skip-the-line ticket booked in advance is the single best decision you can make. With a timed-entry ticket you choose a slot, walk past the main queue and pass through security faster. The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays, and the calmest moments are right at opening or during the late Friday evening hours, when many day visitors have already left.

Getting there is simple. Take metro line 1 or 7 to the Palais Royal Musee du Louvre station, which connects directly to the underground Carrousel entrance and is usually quicker than the pyramid. The museum sits on the Right Bank along the Seine, a short walk from the Tuileries Garden and the Pont des Arts, so it pairs naturally with a riverside stroll. If you arrive by car, parking is limited and expensive, so public transport is by far the easiest way to reach it, and the underground entrance keeps you sheltered from rain while you wait.