How to Buy Louvre Tickets – Even If They’re Sold Out! (2025)
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Wondering how to buy tickets to the Louvre? Here is a comprehensive guide on how to buy Louvre tickets – even if they’re sold out!
Looking for tickets to the Louvre when it’s sold out but don’t have time to read the entire post? Click here to search for (and purchase) “sold-out” tickets to the Louvre!
The Louvre is the most famous museum in the world.
It’s also one of the most iconic symbols of Paris. When you think of the City of Light, chances are the iconic Louvre Pyramid and the Mona Lisa are among the first things to come to mind.
Because of its popularity, getting tickets to the Louvre can be a struggle, especially if you’re purchasing last minute.
Believe me – I have experience.
When I visited Paris for the first time, I knew that I wanted to visit the Louvre. But, I wasn’t exactly sure which date I wanted to go.
I was visiting Paris during the winter, so I wanted to plan my Louvre visit on a day when the weather wasn’t as great. There’s no better way to spend a rainy or cold day than by exploring a museum!
When I finally arrived in Paris, I checked the forecast and picked the perfect day to spend perusing the Louvre.
The only problem? Tickets were sold out!
After checking the Louvre official website with no availability, we went to one of the service desks where you can purchase tickets on-site. Of course, we were told we were out of luck, and that the next available tickets were for more than a week out.
Luckily I was skeptical, and I was able to find the EASIEST way to buy Louvre tickets – even on supposedly sold-out days!
So, if a visit to the Louvre is on your Paris bucket list, keep reading for everything you need to know about how to buy Louvre tickets, including how to score tickets on sold-out days!
How to Buy Louvre Tickets: Are advance tickets required?
Tickets are required to visit the Louvre, and it’s highly recommended that you purchase your tickets in advance.
You can buy Louvre tickets directly on the Louvre official website, as well as from authorized ticket dealers like GetYourGuide, Tiqets, and Viator.
You can also purchase Louvre tickets at the ticket counters at the museum itself but expect to stand in long lines. And, it’s pretty unlikely that you’ll be able to snag same-day tickets.
Around 30,000 people visit the Louvre each day – you could say that it’s a pretty popular place! To guarantee that you get to visit, book your tickets online as soon as you know when you’ll be able to go.
Purchasing advance Louvre tickets is the only way to get guaranteed admission to the Louvre – but my method of scoring tickets on sold-out days is pretty reliable.
Only looking for info on how to buy Louvre tickets on sold-out days? Click here to skip directly to that section!
HOW TO BUY LOUVRE TICKETS EVEN WHEN IT’S SOLD OUT
Purchasing Louvre Tickets from the Official Website
You can purchase tickets for the Louvre directly from the Louvre website or on-site at the museum.
Tickets can be purchased online around 2 months in advance.
The Louvre recommends booking at least 30 days in advance when possible to guarantee your spot. This is especially important if you’re visiting during peak season.
When booking your ticket, you’ll also have to choose a specific date and time slot for your visit.
Tickets are only valid for the purchased date and time slot. If you miss your designated time slot, you may be required to purchase new tickets.
Tickets purchased online cost €17, and you can also purchase add-ons like an audio guide, guided tours, and workshops.
Some visitors, like residents of the European Economic Union between ages 18 and 25 and art teachers, can visit the Louvre for free. But, you still need to reserve a time slot to guarantee entrance.
When booking your tickets online, you can select the number and types of tickets you need. If you qualify for free admission, you will not need to pay for the ticket when checking out.
Upon your entry to the Louvre, you will need to show proof of eligibility for the free ticket that you booked.
When you arrive at the Louvre with advance tickets, you’ll be able to skip the ticket line (if same-day tickets are even available) and head straight to one of the museum entrances.
HOW TO BUY LOUVRE TICKETS EVEN WHEN IT’S SOLD OUT
Purchasing Louvre Tickets On-Site at the Museum
You can buy Louvre tickets at the on-site ticket desks, but this method is risky – especially if you’re trying to visit same-day or within a week.
Tickets purchased at the museum cost €15, but tickets are limited and are sometimes only available during off-peak times.
In addition to the limited number of available tickets, you’ll also likely face long queues when trying to purchase tickets from the ticket desk.
There’s nothing worse than waiting in a long line only to find out that tickets aren’t even available for when you want them.
If you do choose to try booking tickets on-site, visit the ticket counters located at the main entrance (under the Pyramid, one of Europe’s most famous landmarks) and in the Carrousel du Louvre.
Visiting the Louvre with a Paris City Card
If you plan on visiting multiple museums or attractions during your visit to Paris, then a Paris City Card is a good option to consider.
City Cards are available in nearly every major tourist destination around the world, including Paris. For one price, you can get admission to a variety of Paris attractions for a set duration of time.
The Paris Passlib city pass is Paris’s official city card. The Passlib pass lets you choose 5 attractions from a selection of 53, including the Louvre. It’s also the ONLY city pass that includes admission to the Eiffel Tower.
The Paris Museum Pass is a city pass that gets you into more than 60 museums in the city, including the Louvre. Passes are valid for 2, 4, or 6 days, so you can choose the best one based on the length of your visit.
BOOK NOW: Paris Passlib Pass or Paris Museum Pass
Although admission to the Louvre is included with these passes, you still need to reserve a time slot for your visit.
After purchasing your city pass, you’ll be given instructions on how to reserve your time slot.
Even though the passes include admission to the Louvre, it’s still a possibility that you won’t be able to get a time slot for the date and time that you want.
When I tried to book my last-minute Louvre tickets, I asked the ticket counter attendant if it was possible to get admission via one of the Paris city passes, and there was, unfortunately, no availability during the week of my visit.
So, if you’re trying to get last-minute Louvre tickets when the official ones are sold out, booking a Paris City Pass probably isn’t the best option.
HOW TO BUY LOUVRE TICKETS EVEN WHEN IT’S SOLD OUT
How to Buy Louvre Tickets When They’re “Sold Out”
If you’ve found yourself in a situation where you want to visit the Louvre but there are no official tickets available for the dates of your visit to Paris, look no further!
I found myself in the exact same predicament on my last visit to Paris. Just as I thought there was no hope, I did some digging, found a different way to purchase Louvre tickets, and explored the museum the very next day.
The secret? Search for tickets on reputable, authorized ticket dealers like GetYourGuide, Viator, or Tiqets.
My favorite website for booking admission tickets to various museums and attractions is GetYourGuide.
I had used them to book several other tickets and tours during my Paris trip, so I decided to give them a go for finding Louvre tickets.
GetYourGuide does sell timed Louvre entrance tickets, and you can often find availability there when the official website is sold out.
However, when I tried to buy these tickets, they were still sold out for my available dates. I must have really been visiting Paris at a popular time!
Not ready to give up just yet, I decided to go for Plan B.
There were lots of attraction bundles on GetYourGuide that included admission to the Louvre plus other Paris attractions, like a Seine River Cruise.
I had wanted to take a river cruise anyway, so I chose the first highly-rated, affordable Louvre + Seine River Cruise combo ticket. And to my surprise, there was plenty of availability during the week of my visit!
I was able to enjoy a Seine River Cruise and visit the Louvre when it was supposedly sold out.
I even saved money overall as I got a deal that made the combo ticket cheaper than buying separate Louvre and River Cruise tickets.
To make sure it wasn’t a fluke, I even checked other “sold out” dates to see if there was availability on GetYourGuide, and nearly every time there was. I even helped some friends get tickets during their last-minute, peak summer Paris trip!
There are other tours and combo tickets that include admission to the Louvre, but I’ve found that the Louvre Admission + Seine River Cruise combo tends to be the cheapest and the best value, especially if you’re already planning on taking a river cruise or if it’s something you’re interested in.
So, if you’re looking for tickets to the Louvre when it’s seemingly sold out, book this Louvre Admission + Seine River Cruise combo ticket!
BOOK NOW: Louvre Admission Ticket + Seine Cruise
How to Buy Tickets to the Louvre: FAQs
Can I visit the Louvre without a ticket?
No, you need a ticket for admission. However, some visitors, like EU residents aged 18-25 and art teachers, may get in for free with a reserved time slot.
Can I buy Louvre tickets on the same day I visit?
It’s possible but risky. Same-day tickets are limited and come with long queues. Booking in advance is the only way to guarantee admission.
What’s the best time to visit the Louvre to avoid crowds?
Early mornings or weekdays outside of peak tourist season tend to be less crowded. Peak season includes summer (June to August) and late December.
What happens if I miss my designated time slot with an online ticket?
You may need to purchase new tickets. Make sure to arrive on time (or a little early) to ensure you’re able to make it inside.
Are Louvre tickets refundable or transferable?
Generally, tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable, so plan your visit carefully.
Are there any discounts available for Louvre tickets?
The Louvre does not offer discounted or concession tickets, but many groups (including EU citizens 18-25, anyone under 18, art teachers, disabled guests and their caregivers, and more) can get in for free (reserved time slot required).
What’s the best entrance to use for quicker access to the Louvre?
The Pyramid entrance is the main and most iconic entrance, but it can be crowded. Consider using the Carrousel du Louvre entrance for shorter queues.
Can I get a refund or reschedule my Louvre ticket if I can’t visit on the selected date?
Typically, Louvre tickets are non-refundable and non-transferable. Plan your visit carefully to avoid any inconvenience.
How to Buy Louvre Tickets (Even if it’s Sold Out): Final Thoughts
Not being able to get tickets to something you really want to see or visit is a frustrating travel experience that most travelers can relate to.
But, for the Louvre and many other popular museums around the world, there are other options that are easy to find and reasonably priced.
If you can plan in advance and know exactly what date you want to visit the Louvre, it’s easy to book admission tickets on the official site or a site like GetYourGuide.
But, if you’re not able to make advance plans, or if you prefer more spur-of-the-moment traveling, combo Louvre + Seine River Cruise tickets are the way to go.
No matter how you purchase your Louvre tickets, you’ll be in for one of the best museum experiences in the world.
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