THE PARIS ART JOURNAL
Louvre tickets sold out? Seven ways in, ranked
Louvre slots do sell out, especially this autumn, when reservations are compulsory for everyone. Here are seven realistic ways in, in the order we would try them.
In this article
On 21 August 1911, the Mona Lisa left the Louvre without a ticket. Vincenzo Peruggia, an Italian who had worked at the museum, walked out with her, kept her hidden in a trunk in Paris for more than two years, and was only caught when he tried to sell her in Florence in December 1913.
Getting in is harder than getting out. Louvre tickets do sell out, and from 17 October to 1 November 2026 the museum requires a reservation from every visitor, with only a few exemptions. Tickets are non-refundable and cannot be changed, so booked slots are rarely released. Do not panic, and do not buy from a stranger by the Pyramid: here are seven ways in, ranked from the one we would try first.
Seven ways in, ranked
Here is every realistic way in when the official slots look full, ranked from the most reliable to the last resort.
| Option | Odds | Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. Evening slots, Wednesday and Friday | Good | Standard ticket | Open to 21:00, last entry 20:00 |
| 2. Refresh the official site | Fair | Standard ticket | Check early morning and over several days |
| 3. Tour with tickets included | Very good | Tour price | Reserved entry handled by the operator |
| 4. Direct-entry ticket from an approved reseller | Good | Reseller price | Read the entry terms carefully |
| 5. Ask on site on the day | Low | Standard ticket | On-site sales only subject to availability |
| 6. Become an Amis du Louvre member | Good | Membership fee | Exempt from the reservation rule this autumn |
| 7. Plan B museum | Certain | Varies | Orsay, Orangerie, Arts Décoratifs, Delacroix |
1 and 2: evening slots and patience
The Louvre is open from 9:00 to 18:00 on Mondays, Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays, and from 9:00 to 21:00 on Wednesdays and Fridays. It is closed on Tuesdays. Most visitors want a morning slot, so evenings are the first place to look.
If a day is full, check the official site again over the following days. Remember that admission costs €22 for EEA residents and €32 for everyone else, and that under-18s and EEA residents under 26 enter free but still need a reserved slot.
Official Louvre ticketsOfficial website. No commission.
3 and 4: tours and direct-entry tickets
Tour operators reserve their entry times well in advance, so a guided tour with tickets included often has space when the official site shows none. A semi-private tour capped at six people is the most comfortable option; a private guide is the most flexible.
Approved resellers also sell direct-entry tickets. Always check the meeting point, the entrance used and the cancellation terms before you pay.
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission.5 and 6: on the day, or membership
On-site sales on the day are subject to availability, and during the 17 October to 1 November reservation period you should not count on them. If you are a regular Louvre visitor, membership is the elegant solution: Amis du Louvre members are among those exempt from the reservation rule this autumn and use the Richelieu entrance. Check the current membership fee on the Amis du Louvre site.
Other exemptions include holders of certain professional cards and ICOM members. The full list is on the Louvre's hours and admission page.
7: Plan B museums that are genuinely great
The Musée d'Orsay, across the Seine, is the obvious alternative for Impressionism and Van Gogh, and its collections stay open during the renovation running until summer 2028. The Musée de l'Orangerie has Monet's Water Lilies, a short walk through the Tuileries.
The Musée des Arts Décoratifs is in the Louvre palace itself, on the rue de Rivoli side. And the Musée Eugène Delacroix, the painter's last home and studio, costs €9; if you do get a Louvre ticket later, it includes Delacroix the same or next day.
Official Musée d'Orsay ticketsOfficial website. No commission.
Affiliate link. We may earn a commission.Scams to avoid
Sold-out dates attract bad actors. Keep these rules in mind before you pay anyone for a Louvre ticket.
Questions before you go
Do Louvre tickets sell out?
Yes, especially for mornings, weekends and holidays. From 17 October to 1 November 2026 every visitor needs a reservation, which makes sell-outs more likely.
What should I do if Louvre tickets are sold out?
Check the Wednesday and Friday evening slots first, then look for a guided tour with tickets included. If you have no luck, visit the Musée d'Orsay or the Musée des Arts Décoratifs instead.
Can I buy Louvre tickets at the door?
On-site sales on the day are subject to availability and are not guaranteed. During the 17 October to 1 November 2026 period, reservations are required.
What is the official Louvre ticket site?
Book through louvre.fr. The museum warns about mirror sites that imitate it.
Can I change or refund a Louvre ticket?
No. Louvre tickets are non-refundable and cannot be exchanged.
Reviewed . Hours, prices, reservation rules and exemptions were checked on louvre.fr on 17 October 2026. Tour availability changes daily; check the live listing.
