Updated July 2026
There’s a good reason the Louvre in Paris, France is considered one of the world’s great museums, alongside the Metropolitan Museum of Art, the Hermitage and the British Museum. Originally built as a fortress in 1190, it later became a royal palace before transforming into a museum.
The Louvre isn’t just one of the world’s largest museums—it’s one of the most important. Its collection spans more than 8,000 years of human history, from the earliest civilizations of Mesopotamia and Ancient Egypt to Greek and Roman masterpieces, Islamic art, Renaissance paintings and French royal collections. Few museums can tell the story of human civilization on this scale. So obviously, I love visiting.
The Louvre is enormous, and unless you’re planning to move in, you won’t see everything in a single visit. I’ve been five times and still feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. The Louvre Museum is one of the largest museums in the world with 60,000 sq. m of exhibits and some 460,000 works, of which “only” 35,000 works are on display for the public!
You could easily spend several days here and still leave with entire wings unexplored. But you can’t se everything. And you will have missed a lot if you only see the Mona Lisa.
12 (OTHER) HIGHLIGHTS IN LOUVRE
I once did a one-hour highlights tour of the Prado Museum in Madrid, covering ten masterpieces, and it completely changed how I experienced the museum. Instead of leaving overwhelmed, I actually remembered what I’d seen.
That’s the approach I’ve taken here. Rather than another list centred around the Mona Lisa, I’ve selected 12 other highlights—arranged roughly in chronological order—that showcase the extraordinary range of the Louvre’s collection. They tell the story of art, empires and civilizations, and together they offer a far better introduction to the art history of the world than she does.
For each of these highlights, I’ve also included a suggestion for where to continue exploring the artist or theme. Loved Dürer’s portrait? Head to Munich or Madrid. Fascinated by ancient Greek sculpture? There are plenty more masterpieces waiting elsewhere in Europe. One of the things I enjoy most about art is that every great museum inspires the next destination.
If it’s your first visit, I’d recommend starting with the highlights. Don’t rush from masterpiece to masterpiece—allow yourself time to actually find each artwork. Half the experience is wandering through the palace itself, climbing grand staircases and stumbling upon galleries you weren’t expecting. You’ll walk a lot, but you’ll also get a feel for the incredible breadth of the museum.
If you’ve already been—or simply prefer to dive deeper into a particular period or collection—I’ve also included ideas for themed visits that let you explore the museum without feeling overwhelmed.
1 "WINGED VICTORY FROM SAMOTHRACE" (190 BC)
I just love this Nike – the goddess’ real name. Look at those wings and imagine it in Ancient Greece standing on top of a cliff. She is “only” a monument to one specific naval victory – hence the ship.
One of the Louvre’s greatest masterpieces. Even without her head and arms, the sculpture feels incredibly alive, with windswept drapery that seems to move as you walk around it. It’s one of the most dramatic sculptures from the Hellenistic period.
2 "VENUS DE MILO" (130-100 BC)
Venus or more accurately: “Aphrodite from Melos”, since she is Greek, not Roman. Despite missing both arms, the Venus de Milo has become one of the world’s most famous sculptures.
Believed to depict Aphrodite, the Greek goddess of love, she perfectly represents the idealized beauty of ancient Greek art. The mystery surrounding her original pose only adds to her appeal.
Also turn around and see the maybe even more delightful Capitoline Venus as you can see in the pictures below.
More?
For a discovery into the birthplace of Aphrodite head to the island of Cyprus. Unravel Paphos: Mythical Sites on Aphrodite’s Island.
3 THE MEDIEVAL LOUVRE FORTRESS
Go down to the lower ground floor and stand in the old moats. In 1190 – before going on a crusade – the King of France decided to protect Paris from English invaders. A wall around the capital was build, reinforced at the junction with the River Seine by a defensive castle – the Louvre! The structure was surrounded by a moat fed by the waters of the Seine, in which you are standing today.
More?
If you’re into medieval fortresses, try Malbork in Poland, Carcasonne also in France or Edinburgh Castle. I will write about them soon.
4 "SAINT SEBASTIAN" - Andrea Mantegna (1480)
One of the masterpieces of the Italian Renaissance, Mantegna’s Saint Sebastian portrays the Christian martyr tied to ancient ruins and pierced by arrows. The dramatic perspective, archaeological details and emotional intensity make it one of the museum’s finest religious paintings.
Mantegna has a special way of using a colour that seems to be silver. You can recognize many of his paintings because of this. He is also a master of detail. He like many others used tricks from the antique artworks like the posture.
Saint Sebastian is a Catholic Saint and martyr. According to tradition, he was killed during the Roman Persecution of Christians. He was initially tied to a tree and shot with arrows, though this did not kill him. He was instead healed by a woman. In all versions of the story, shortly after his recovery he went to the emperor Diocletian to warn him about his sins, and as a result he was clubbed to death. Perfect life story for a dramatic artwork.
More?
The emperor Diocletian named here is the one who built the palace in Split, Croatia. He died here. Live Like an Emperor in a Roman palace in Split.
5 "PORTRAIT OF THE ARTIST HOLDING A THISTLE" - Albrecht Dürer (1493)
I am a big fan of Dürer. His rhinoceros is epic.
This painting is one of the first selfies. Earlier self-portraits often show the portrayed as part of a large setting like a cathedral or battle. Painted when Dürer was just 22 years old, this remarkable self-portrait is one of the earliest independent self-portraits in European art. The extraordinary detail – especially in the curls of his hair and the textures of his clothing. You just gotta love the audacity to stage yourself like this.
No wonder Dürer is one of the Northern Renaissance’s greatest artists.
More?
Other of his famous self-portraits can be seen in Munich, Prado in Madrid and Budapest. Budapest is even one 12 Budget-Friendly European Cities for Culture Lovers.
6 "THE REBELLIOUS SLAVE" - Michelangelo (1513–1516)
Actually you should see both the rebellious one and the dying one. The dying one seems like he’s in an erotic video. So I prefer the other one… Michelangelo’s Rebellious Slave shows a muscular figure struggling to free himself. The sculpture captures movement and emotion very well. The unfinished surfaces adds to the sense that the figure is still emerging from the marble.
Originally created for the tomb of Pope Julius II along with other unfinished slaves, so they ended up as a present to the King of France.
More?
Many of him most famous works are in Rome such as the Sixtine Chapel. But don’t skip David in Florence and Casa Buonarotti with many of his drawings. Why haven’t I written about Florence yet?
7 "THE LACEMAKER" – Johannes Vermeer (c. 1669–1670)
You might know his painting of “the girl with Pearl Earring.” As with his other works the richness in his textures and the fabulous colours just draws you in.
Tiny compared to many of the Louvre’s grand paintings, The Lacemaker rewards those who stop and look closely. Vermeer transforms an ordinary domestic scene into something almost meditative through delicate light, colour and astonishing detail.
Renoir called it the most beautiful painting in the world. I am not sure if I agree, but I don’t disagree.
More?
For most of Vermeer’s artworks go to the Netherlands for Delft and Hague and of course Amsterdam. While you are there explore The Best Secret Museums in Amsterdam.
8 "PSYCHE REVIVED BY CUPID'S KISS"– Antonio Canova (1793)
Unlike the earlier classical statues, this is much later. But you can probably see the inspiration from the ancient classic artworks. Considered one of the masterpieces of Neoclassical sculpture, the elegant composition and lifelike marble make it seem impossibly soft.
The story behind is a myth of love. Canova’s marble sculpture captures the exact moment Cupid awakens Psyche with a kiss. Cupid then saves her from a deathlike sleep, as you can read in “The Metamorphoses”. They are married, and she’s made goddess of the soul. Although another account tells a sadder story.
More?
You find more of Canova’s delicious sculptures in another of the world’s biggest museums. The Hermitage in St. Petersborg. I’ve bben twice – first as a Teenager with my Grandmother in the City of Tsars.
9 "THE CORONATION OF NAPOLEON"– Jacques-Louis David (1805–1807)
A great French painter. Stretching nearly ten metres wide, this enormous painting shows a crucial moment in French history: Sunday December 2 1804. It commemorates Napoleon’s coronation at Notre-Dame Cathedral. Rather than depicting the Pope crowning him, David famously shows Napoleon placing the crown on Joséphine’s head. This is because there is no one above Napoleon! A powerful piece of political propaganda.
The French Revolution fought for equality, and then he does this…
More?
If you are interested in Napoleon check out his tomb as one of my 5 Dark Tourism Sites in Paris.
10 "GRANDE ODALISQUE"– Jean-Auguste-Dominique Ingres (1814)
Ingres’ famous “Grande Odalisque” combines classical technique with an imagined vision of the Ottoman world. That is again with the ancient nude, but now in a “modern eastern” style. You might notice that compared to the antique role models and to the youngsters by Canova, it marks the beginning of a new freer line.
Isn’t her breast weirdly located? Also she has too many vertebras. But who cares… Her impossibly elongated back caused controversy at the time, but today the painting is regarded as one of the defining works of French Neoclassicism and Orientalism.
More?
If you want to explore the Ottoman world, it’s best to go there: A Weekend in Istanbul, Türkiye
11 "THE RAFT OF MEDUSA"– Théodore Géricault (1818–1819)
This is one need a little more introduction… Inspired by a real shipwreck that shocked France, it’s one of the most powerful paintings of the Romantic period. It shows the survivors of the French Fregat Medusa, that went down in 1816 near the coast of Africa. Only 15 out of 400 survived, and there’s no beauty in dying here as in the Ancient artworks and in later neoclassical works. Rather than celebrating heroism, it depicts desperation, suffering and the fragile hope of rescue.
It becomes both a political statement and a masterpiece of emotional storytelling. This is a Romantic Movement heavyweight – brutal and realistic!
More?
Another famous shipwreck also made it into a museum. In fact the museum is built around it. The 17th-century warship of Vasa in Stockholm. Ultimate Guide to Stockholm’s Best Museums
12 "LIBERTY LEADING THE PEOPLE"– Eugène Delacroix (1830)
This painting is both by one of the best French painters, but also a national symbol of France inspired by real events. Perhaps the most iconic image of revolution in art, Delacroix’s painting commemorates the July Revolution of 1830.
The bare-breasted (read natural) woman Marianne is holding the Tricolore and raising France up from the barricades to triumph surrounded by people from all walks of life.
It has become a lasting symbol of freedom, democracy and France itself. A great way to end the tour!
More?
The French Revolution took the heads of the royals. Go to Versailles to be a part of their luxurious lifestyle.
...AND MONA LISA – Leonardo da Vinci (c. 1503–1519)
And of course, there’s is the Mona Lisa. No visit to the Louvre is complete without seeing her, even if you only spend a few seconds with her. Leonardo’s masterpiece is surprisingly small, but her mysterious smile, subtle use of light and groundbreaking painting technique have fascinated visitors for centuries. Yes, it will be crowded—but she’s famous for a reason.
But it is a special painting, although it’s virtually impossible to drown in her mysterious smile with all the crowds. I was fortunate enough to see it in 1995 without so much fuss. In 2003, she was behind bulletproof glass, and on my visit last month, she was also flanked by 4 guards.
The painting’s real title is “Portrait of Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondoco del Gioconda”. If it had kept this title it might not be so famous. What I like the most is the blue hills in the background. You can see them on many other of his paintings like “Virgin and child with Anne”, where you’ll have the painting to yourself. Go as close as you can and just look at her – and not only through a photo lens.
More?
I have to admit, I actually prefer Leonardo’s “A Lady With an Ermine” in Krakow.
THE SPECIALIZED TOUR
If you choose a section of the enormous museum, you’ll have more time to sit and just absorb the amazing art, but of course you’ll miss something.
On my recent visit I chose the Greek, Roman and Etruscan & Egyptian Antiquities. It is two great collections, especially, when you have studied Ancient Culture. But further down there’s recommendations for other trails.
THE ANTIQUITY TRAIL
The Great Sphinx of Tanis shows some of the grandeur of Ancient Eygpt. The sphinx is the jewel in this very fine collection initiated by Champollion who first deciphered hieroglyphs (2000 BC).
Also look out for “The Seated Scribe from 2500 BC”, The Avenue of Sphinxes from Luxor, the recognizable “Portrait of Alexander the Great”, the sarcophagus box of Ramesses III, that once held his mummy and the famous Portrait of a woman, known as “L’Européenne”. Of course you also have to include “Venus de Milo” and “Winged Victory from Samothrace” both described above in the 12 other highlights tour.
OTHER TRAILS
The near eastern antiquities with artworks from some of the places being destroyed in war right now. Like the Winged Bulls from Mesopotamia (around 700 BC). They originate near Mosul in Iraq!
Since you’re in France, there are of course many French paintings and sculptures, which makes it an obvious choice for a specialized tour.
In the Decorative Arts section, you’ll find the Regent Diamond, Napoleon’s tea set and fantastic interiors.
The Louvre also suggest a selection of works connected to the French Revolution, Landscape or Travel (!) if that’s more to your liking.
PRACTICAL INFO
- The metro stops nearby and has a copy of Venus
- It's popular(!), so try to arrive 2 hours before closing time.
- There's a security check.
- You can buy tickets online and also in ticket machines beside the counter. It works really well, and we didn't wait in line at all.
- The audio guide is a good thing, if you want to immerse yourself in the artworks (and try to keep the loud guides out)
- There are souvenir shops on all floors, but the largest one is on the lower level. I bought a replica of a red coral necklace the empress Joséphine wears in one of the paintings.
- You are allowed to take pictures without flash!
The Louvre isn’t the kind of museum you “finish.” I’ve visited several times and still leave with a growing list of things I didn’t have time to see. That’s part of its charm. Whether you’re here for ancient Egypt, Renaissance masterpieces, French history or simply to see what all the fuss about the Mona Lisa is about, you’ll find something worth remembering. Enjoy the fact that one of the world’s greatest museums still has the power to surprise you around almost every corner.
Have you been to the Louvre? Which artwork impressed you the most? Was it one of the famous masterpieces—or did you discover a hidden favourite? I’d love to hear your recommendations for my next visit.