Private Guided Tour of the Louvre
Louvre Private Tour: As a licensed private tour guide in Paris trained at the École du Louvre and Paris travel planner since 2018 featured in Robb Report, Paris by Emy offers “Highlights” private tour of the Louvre and customized private tours at the Louvre Museum tailored to your specific interests with a licensed expert guide. With over twenty years of working in Paris, your boutique travel agency has built an elite network of top-tier private guides and private tour agencies, each with their own area of expertise, to ensure that every tour is led by a truly qualified specialist. Together, we introduce you to everything from world-class art museums to hidden gems known only to insiders, with itineraries designed for solo travelers, couples, and families alike.
Unlocking the Secrets of the World’s Most Famous Museum
Explore the Louvre with a private, expert guide and skip-the-line access, going far beyond the surface: hidden treasures, untold stories, and expert-level insight into its timeless masterpieces. From iconic artworks to lesser-known gems, this is a journey through the history, artistry, and cultural significance behind every corner — led by someone trained to see what others miss, with no time wasted standing in line.
Approaches for Visiting the Louvre
There are typically 4 options available with PARIS BY EMY upon your preferences :
- Skip-the-line tickets + audio guide €32 per person – Unlimited time*
- Louvre Highlights tour with a 2-hrs private guide From €200 per person
- Customized Louvre Private Tour with a licensed tour guide — Price upon request
- Paris Museum Pass: 50 Museums & Monuments From € 70 per person 2 days
Each approach has its own advantages and disadvantages, accommodating different budgets and preferences, as well as your preferred way of visiting museums.
* Starting 2026, the Louvre has introduced a differentiated pricing structure that charges non‑European visitors €32 for standard museum admission — up from around €22 previously.
Louvre Private Tour + Paris Driving Tour
From €1,450 – USD 1,690
Private Guided Tour of the Louvre 2 hours with Skip the Line entrance
-
Louvre Highlights a Licensed professional guide : Around 2 hours
-
Lunch Break: 1 hour in a local Parisian restaurant
-
Custom Private Driving Tour with a licensed guide : 4 hours
Louvre Museum + Walking Tour in Paris
From €950 – USD 1,110
Private Guided Tour of the Louvre 2 hours with Skip-the-Line entrance
- Louvre Highlights a Licensed professional guide : Around 2 hours
-
Lunch Break: 1 hour in a local Parisian restaurant
-
Tailor-Made Private Walking Tour with a local guides : 2 to 3 hours
Private Paris Museum Tour
| Pricing in Euros | Number of people | Duration | Custom Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| From €25 | Per person | Unlimited | Skip-the-line + audio guide |
| From €200 | Per person | 2 hours | Private Museum tour |
| From €1,450 | Up to 6 | Full Day | 2hr museum + 4hr car tour |
| From €1,500 | Up to 6 | 1.5 hours | VIP access & Exclusive Tour |
Self-guided Tour with Skip-The-Line Ticket and Audio Guide
Skip the line tickets and audioguide €32 per person – USD $37 – Unlimited time
You have a free and flexible schedule, giving you the freedom to explore the museum at your leisure. Whether you want to linger in front of a particular artwork or breeze through the galleries, you are in control of your museum experience. Discover PARIS BY EMY masterpieces recommendations through what to see at the Louvre. To navigate on your own, this route ensures you see the Louvre’s greatest masterpieces in just two hours while avoiding too much backtracking. Enjoy your visit!
Explore the Louvre selection for a self-guided visit: https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/visitor-trails/the-louvre-s-masterpieces
Louvre Private Tour with a Licensed Guide
From €200 per person – USD $225 – 2 hours
- Academic-level insights into masterpieces, techniques, and historical context
- Deep understanding of art movements from Egyptian antiquities to Renaissance
- Stories behind the art that bring paintings and sculptures to life
Louvre Private Tour with a Licensed Guide :
- Duration: Minimum 2 hours
- Tickets are included as part of the tour
- Museum tickets are not refundable and changeable
- Availability: Offered year-round with flexible start times
- Guide meeting point at the Louvre museum
What You will Discover:
- Mona Lisa with expert analysis of Leonardo’s technique
- Venus de Milo and ancient Greek sculpture mastery
- The Winged Victory of Samothrace & Hellenistic art
- Code of Hammurabi – First Dynasty of Babylon
- French painting from Watteau to Delacroix
- Egyptian galleries with hieroglyphic interpretation
- Renaissance masterpieces with historical context
- Hidden gems most visitors miss
Louvre Private Tours of the Latest Exhibitions
Experience the Louvre museum’s newest exhibitions. With your licensed private guide, you will uncover the fascinating stories behind each masterpiece and gain personalized insights tailored to your interests. From the latest contemporary art displays to recently restored classical works, your guide will provide context, history, and insider anecdotes that bring each piece to life. For example, to mark the bicentenary of his death, the Louvre Museum is presenting an exhibition October 15, 2025 – January 26, 2026 dedicated to the entire career of the painter Jacques-Louis David (1748-1825).
Private Louvre Tour – Discover the Museum’s Highlights & Masterpieces
Immerse yourself in the world’s most celebrated art collection with an expert private guide on a personalized tour of the Louvre’s highlights and masterpieces. Tailored to your interests and pace, this exclusive experience brings the museum’s iconic works — from the Mona Lisa to the Venus de Milo and beyond — to life with engaging insights, fascinating stories, and cultural context. Skip the long lines, enjoy personalized attention, and discover the rich history and artistic brilliance of the Louvre in depth on a tour designed just for you.
Start: Denon Wing (0:00 – 0:15)
The Winged Victory of Samothrace – This Greek sculpture greets you at the top of the grand staircase.
The Wedding at Cana (Veronese) – A massive Renaissance painting right across from the Mona Lisa.
The Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci) – The most famous painting in the world. Expect a crowd!
Denon Wing (0:15 – 0:45)
The Raft of the Medusa (Géricault) – A dramatic Romantic-era masterpiece.
Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix) – Symbol of revolution and freedom.
The Coronation of Napoleon (David) – A grand historical painting showcasing Napoleon’s self-crowning.
Sully Wing (0:45 – 1:15)
Venus de Milo – One of the most famous ancient Greek statues.
The Seated Scribe – A strikingly lifelike Egyptian statue.
The Great Sphinx of Tanis – A massive and well-preserved sphinx.
Richelieu Wing (1:15 – 1:45)
Hammurabi’s Code – One of the oldest legal texts in history.
The Marly Horses – Beautiful dynamic sculptures.
Napoleon III Apartments – A luxurious glimpse into royal life.
Final Stop: Cour Marly (1:45 – 2:00)
Michelangelo’s Slaves – Powerful unfinished sculptures.
The Glass Pyramid (Exit & Photos)
End your tour with a great view of the iconic pyramid.
The Louvre Museum recommends as well different art pieces with their locations on their website and app : Masterpieces of the Louvre, The Art of Portraiture, Queens, Kings, Emperors, and Major Events in History.
Louvre Museum – 3 Wings, 4 Floors, 35,000+ Works
The Louvre is divided into 3 main wings, Sully, Richelieu, and Denon wing, spread across four floors. Each section offers a distinct journey through history, art, and culture. With more than 35,000 works on display, it’s impossible to see everything in one visit.
- LEVEL 2 → Paintings, decorative arts & more
- LEVEL 1 → Major collections & masterpieces
- LEVEL 0 → Sculpture & ancient collections
- LEVEL -1 → Medieval Louvre & collections
Sully — Ancient Civilizations & the Medieval Louvre
- 2nd Floor: French Paintings and major works from the history of French art.
- 1st Floor: Ancient Egypt and Greek & Roman antiquities.
- Ground Floor: Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern antiquities.
- Lower Ground Floor: Remains of the original medieval fortress.
Discover the ancient world through Egyptian, Greek, Roman and Near Eastern antiquities, while exploring the remains of the medieval Louvre and collections tracing the history of France.
Richelieu — Sculpture, Decorative Arts & Royal France
- 2nd Floor: Northern European paintings and collections.
- 1st Floor: Napoleon III Apartments, French decorative arts & European sculpture.
- Ground Floor: French & European sculpture, works from the royal collections.
Explore French and European sculpture, decorative arts, Northern European collections and royal treasures, while stepping into the extraordinary world of the Second Empire in the Napoleon III Apartments.
Denon — Iconic Masterpieces & European Painting
- 2nd Floor: Major French paintings and European art.
- 1st Floor: French and Italian paintings, including David and Delacroix.
- Ground Floor: Some of the Louvre’s most iconic masterpieces, including Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, alongside Greek and Roman sculpture.
Discover the Louvre’s most celebrated masterpieces, from Renaissance painting to French Romanticism, monumental sculpture and some of the world’s most recognizable works of art.
Unveiling Hidden Gems of the Louvre
During a private tour, your guide’s expertise will unlock the secrets and stories behind the Louvre masterpieces, providing you with a deeper understanding and appreciation of the art than audioguide.
In-Depth Art Appreciation
Your guide will provide detailed insights into the historical context, artistic techniques, and symbolism embedded within each masterpiece. This deeper level of understanding enriches your experience and leaves you with a profound appreciation for the art you encounter.
Navigating the Louvre
The Louvre is vast, spanning over 72,000 square meters, and it can be overwhelming to navigate without guidance. However, on a private tour, you need not worry about getting lost. Your guide will ensure you navigate the museum effortlessly, taking you from one highlight to another.
Preserving the Intimacy
Unlike crowded group tours, private tours typically maintain small group sizes to preserve an intimate and immersive experience. This smaller setting allows for more interaction with your guide, fostering engaging conversations and providing ample opportunities to ask questions and seek further insights.
Navigating the Louvre with Expert Guidance
With 8 vast departments and tens of thousands of artworks, attempting to see everything leads to exhaustion and missed masterpieces. A private guided tour with École du Louvre Art History expertise allows you to:
- Focus on your interests – Art periods, civilizations, or specific artists
- Skip the crowds – VIP entry and strategic routing avoid bottlenecks
- Understand context – Expert commentary and historical significance
- Discover hidden gems – Find extraordinary works most visitors miss
- Customize your pace – Spend more time where you’re fascinated, move quickly through less interesting sections
Book a Private Louvre Tour with an Art History Expert.
Discover the Louvre Your Way – Customized Louvre Private Tour
Experience the world-famous Louvre Museum with PARIS BY EMY Louvre customized Private Tours. Skip the long lines and immerse yourself in the art, history, and culture of Paris with a personalized itinerary tailored to your interests. Whether you are an art enthusiast, history lover, or visiting Paris for the first time, this exclusive tour allows you to explore the Louvre at your own pace, tailored to your interests, with VIP treatment every step of the way. Elevate your Parisian adventure with skip-the-line experience that combines convenience, personalization, and world-class expertise.
Price upon request.
Whether you are traveling with children, enjoying a romantic getaway as a couple, or exploring Paris on your own, the Louvre can be tailored to make your visit engaging, meaningful, and enjoyable. Rather than trying to see everything, choose a private tour focused on the collections, artists, historical periods, or stories that interest you most. From the Louvre museum’s iconic masterpieces and ancient Egyptian treasures to Greek, Roman, Near Eastern, and Islamic art, your experience can be adapted to your pace and curiosity.
- The Louvre masterpieces
- European paintings
- Egyptian Antiquities
- Greek Antiquities
- Italic, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities
- Near Eastern Antiquities
- Islamic Art
For a more immersive visit, explore one of our themed Louvre tours, from the grandeur of Napoleon III and the Second Empire to Italian Renaissance paintings, French masterpieces, Ancient Egypt, royal history, sculpture, portraits, and the lesser-known corners of the museum. Whether you are discovering the Louvre for the first time or returning to uncover something new, your private tour can be designed around the experience you want to have.
Themed Louvre Private Tours
- Napoleon III & the Second Empire
- Italian Renaissance Paintings
- French Paintings from the XVII, XVIII and XIX century
- Flemish and Dutch paintings
- American and English paintings
- Ancient Egypt
- Queens, Kings and Emperor
- Historical events
- Sculptures and stelae
- Off the Beaten Track Louvre
- Art de Vivre and Portraits
Focus on The Napoleon III Apartments – Second Empire
The Napoleon III Apartments are located on the first floor of the Richelieu Wing at the Louvre Museum. These rooms served as the official residence and reception spaces for the Second Empire’s Minister of State rather than Napoleon Bonaparte’s private quarters. Built between 1857 and 1861 by architect Hector Lefuel, they showcase extravagant Louis XIV and Louis XV revival styles filled with gold leaf, crystal chandeliers, and crimson velvet.
Key Highlights to See:
The Grand Salon: A massive reception room that features monumental crystal chandeliers and can be transformed into a theater space.
The State Dining Room: Designed to seat up to 40 guests for royal banquets under ornate painted ceilings.
The Minister’s Private Chambers: More modestly proportioned rooms reflecting the domestic life of a high-ranking 19th-century official
Louvre Combination Private Guided Tour – Orsay & Musée de l’Orangerie
Make the most of your time in Paris with a Louvre Combination Private Guided Tour, created around your interests, travel style and pace. Begin with a personalized visit to the Louvre Museum with a licensed private tour guide, then extend your art experience by combining it with either the Musée d’Orsay or the Musée de l’Orangerie. Rather than following a standard route, your private guide will help you discover the masterpieces, artists and artistic movements that interest you most, from the Louvre’s iconic collections to the Impressionist treasures of Orsay or Monet’s monumental Water Lilies at the Orangerie.
Choose one museum or combine two for a richer, more comprehensive exploration of Paris and its extraordinary artistic heritage.
Louvre Private Tour & Musée d’Orsay
Combine your personalized private tour of the Louvre with the Musée d’Orsay for a deeper exploration of French art, from the masterpieces of the Louvre to the Impressionist and Post-Impressionist collections of Orsay. Your licensed private guide will tailor the experience to your interests, focusing on the artists, artworks and periods you most want to discover.
Louvre Private Tour & Musée de l’Orangerie
Pair your private Louvre tour with the Musée de L’Orangerie for an art-filled experience combining iconic Louvre masterpieces with Monet’s celebrated Water Lilies and other treasures of modern French painting. Your licensed guide will create a personalized visit around your interests, with a comfortable pace and carefully selected highlights.
Louvre Private Tours Designed for Families
Discover the Louvre through an engaging, museum-friendly private tour designed to keep children and adults interested from start to finish. Rather than trying to see everything, your licensed guide selects age-appropriate highlights, fascinating stories, and interactive moments to make the museum enjoyable for the whole family. A fun treasure hunt can also turn the visit into an exciting adventure, encouraging children to observe, explore, and discover hidden details throughout the galleries. From the Mona Lisa to ancient treasures and iconic masterpieces, your family can experience the Louvre at a comfortable pace, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions, explore, and have fun.
Discover our Paris tours for families with young kids with a licensed private guide, kid-friendly museums, fun activities, iconic & historic tours, plus family-friendly hotel and restaurant recommendations.
Louvre by Night Private Tour
Discover the Louvre After Dark with Your Private Guide. Experience the Louvre from a different perspective on a private evening tour. As the crowds begin to thin and the museum takes on a quieter, more atmospheric ambiance, explore its magnificent galleries and masterpieces with your own licensed private guide.
When Is the Louvre Open at Night?
The Louvre generally offers extended evening hours on Wednesdays and Fridays, when the museum remains open later than on other days. Evening availability can vary according to the museum’s opening calendar, special events, and holidays.
What to Expect
- Private tour with a licensed English-speaking guide
- Approximately 2 hours, with the itinerary tailored to you
- Discover the Louvre’s masterpieces and architectural highlights
- Enjoy a more atmospheric museum experience after the daytime crowds
- Focus on art, history, architecture, or specific collections according to your interests
- Ideal for couples, families, solo travelers, and small private groups
- A More Intimate Way to Experience the Louvre
Rather than trying to see everything, your private guide will help you make the most of your time by selecting the collections and masterpieces that are most meaningful to you. Whether you are fascinated by Renaissance art, French history, ancient civilizations, royal palaces, or simply want to see the Louvre’s greatest masterpieces, your evening can be designed around you.
Private Louvre evening tours are subject to the museum’s opening hours and ticket availability. Advance planning is recommended, particularly for popular Wednesday and Friday evenings. A Louvre by Night tour is an especially memorable way to discover the museum, combining its extraordinary art and architecture with the unique atmosphere of Paris after dark. Your private tour can focus on the Louvre’s most iconic masterpieces, such as the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace, and the grand French paintings, or be customized around your particular interests.
Origin & Key Collections in the Louvre Museum
The Louvre in the heart of Paris is a museum that holds art and history.
The Origins of the Louvre
The history of the Louvre begins in the late 12th century, when King Philip II Augustus built a massive fortress on the western edge of medieval Paris. Its purpose was primarily defensive: the fortress protected the city from potential attacks along the Seine and guarded the approach to Paris. Over the centuries, the Louvre evolved from a medieval fortress into a royal residence and magnificent palace. Kings progressively enlarged and transformed the building, adding new wings, courtyards and richly decorated interiors.
Under Francis I in the 16th century, the medieval fortress was largely demolished and replaced by a Renaissance palace. Francis I also began the royal collection of paintings that would eventually form part of the Louvre’s extraordinary art collections. The Louvre became a public museum during the French Revolution, opening its doors as the Musée Central des Arts in 1793. Its collections continued to expand dramatically under Napoleon and subsequent French governments.
Today, the Louvre preserves this remarkable history within its architecture. Beneath the museum, visitors can still see the foundations and remains of the original medieval fortress—a fascinating reminder that the world’s largest art museum began as a defensive stronghold protecting medieval Paris.
Situated on the right bank of the Seine River, it spans over 60,000 square meters and houses approximately 38,000 objects from prehistory to the 21st century. Its extensive collection attracts millions of visitors annually, making it one of the world’s most visited museums. The iconic glass pyramid, designed by architect I. M. Pei, was added in 1989, symbolizing the museum’s modernization and openness to the world.
Artistic genres
The Louvre’s vast collection encompasses diverse artistic genres, from European paintings and sculptures to decorative arts and antiquities. Notable sections include the Department of Near Eastern Antiquities, showcasing artifacts from ancient civilizations like Mesopotamia and Persia, and the Department of Islamic Art, highlighting the artistic heritage of the Islamic world.
Masterpieces
Among the countless masterpieces adorning the Louvre’s halls, a few stand out as timeless symbols of artistic brilliance. The enigmatic smile of Leonardo da Vinci’s “Mona Lisa” captivates viewers from around the globe, while the graceful form of the “Venus de Milo” exudes timeless beauty. Additionally, the majestic “Winged Victory of Samothrace” embodies the triumph of the human spirit, evoking awe and admiration.
Paris by Emy offers customized private tours in Paris and exclusive Paris Trip Planning services since 2018 with the finest Parisian network of local experts and service providers.
Seeing the Louvre with a private guide offers a truly immersive and enriching experience, allowing you to delve deeper into the world of art and history. From tailored itineraries to expert guidance and interactive workshops, licensed guide will unlock the stories behind the masterpieces. Embark on a private tour and witness firsthand the beauty, that make the Louvre a treasure trove of human creativity.
FAQs Louvre Private Tour
1. Are private tours of the Louvre suitable for all ages? Absolutely! They are for different age groups, ensuring an engaging experience for everyone.
2. Can I request specific artworks to be included in my private tour? Certainly! Private tours allow for customization, and you can work with your guide to include specific artworks.
3. How long does a typical private tour of the Louvre last? Private tours can vary in duration, ranging from a few hours to a full day. The duration can be customized based on your preferences.
4. Are private tours of the Louvre more expensive compared to regular group tours? Private tours are generally priced higher than regular group tours, than audioguide due to the exclusive nature experience they offer.
