Are you overwhelmed by the thought of touring the Louvre with children? Then you’re in the right place!
I recently traveled to Paris and London with my 11- and 15-year-olds, and we managed a self-guided tour of the Louvre in just 1 hour and 35 minutes—without feeling rushed or like we missed anything important. Here’s exactly how we planned and executed it.
How We Planned Our Visit
First, we made a short list of must-see artworks. Then we used ChatGPT to help map out an efficient route through the museum.
Our entry time was 10:30 AM. We joined the line at the Carousel entrance at 10:40 AM—and I won’t sugarcoat it; the line was long. It took about 40 minutes just to get inside.
Tip: They may ask to see your children’s passports when scanning tickets, so be sure to have them handy.
Once inside, we grabbed a map and headed straight to our first stop. We skipped the audio guides (just not our family’s style), but they’re a great option if your kids enjoy that kind of experience.
Our Exact Louvre Route (In Order)
Here’s the exact route we followed, including where to find each piece:
1. Winged Victory of Samothrace
Location: Denon Wing, Daru Staircase, Level 1 This stunning sculpture sits dramatically at the top of a very busy staircase—an unforgettable first stop.
2. Mona Lisa
Location: Denon Wing, Room 711 (Salle des États), Level 1 We didn’t wait in the long central line (which looked like at least 40 minutes). Instead, we walked along the right side of the room, caught a clear view, and snapped a quick photo.
3. The Raft of the Medusa
Location: Denon Wing, Room 700, Level 1 A massive and powerful painting that’s hard to miss—and worth a few minutes to take in.
4. Crown Jewels
Location: Richelieu Wing, Room 705 (Galerie d’Apollon), Level 1 Unfortunately, this section was closed during our visit, but it’s typically a highlight and worth checking if it’s open.
5. Venus de Milo
Location: Sully Wing, Room 345, Level 0 One of the most famous sculptures in the world, and surprisingly easy to access on this route.
6. Giant Human-Headed Bulls (Lamassu)
Location: Richelieu Wing, Room 229, Level 0 These enormous Assyrian statues are incredibly impressive—kids especially tend to love these.
7. Code of Hammurabi
Location: Richelieu Wing, Room 227, Level 0 A fascinating piece of ancient history and one of the oldest known legal codes.
8. Great Sphinx of Tanis
Location: Sully Wing, Room 338, Level 0 A striking and mysterious sculpture that’s easy to incorporate into your path.
9. Secret Medieval Castle (Louvre Foundations)
Location: Sully Wing, Level -1 These are the original foundations of the medieval Louvre—very cool and easy to see on your way out.
Final Thoughts
Along the way, we stumbled upon several other interesting pieces and galleries that weren’t on our list but were fun to explore briefly.
We exited the museum at 12:15 PM, and by then, the Carousel entrance line was practically empty. If I were to do it again, I’d definitely book a slightly later entry time to avoid the long wait.
Afterward, we walked to a nearby café for lunch at Café Saint Honoré, and it was absolutely delicious—such a perfect way to relax and recharge after a busy morning at the Louvre. They had the “viral hot chocolate” at this cafe so that was the win of the day for my 15-year-old daughter.
