Paris: Louvre Museum Entry Ticket and Garden Walking Tour

Key Points

• Includes a guided walk through the Tuileries Gardens, Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, and surrounding landmarks.
• Provides a timed-entry ticket to the Louvre Museum for self-guided exploration afterward.
• Optionally includes a narrated Seine river cruise for a scenic view of Paris.
• Accessible by metro, meeting at the statue of Louis XIV in front of the Louvre Pyramid.
• Duration of 4 hours, combining sightseeing, history, and museum entry.
• Tours run rain or shine, with non-refundable bookings but full refund if canceled due to extreme weather.

You can check availability for your dates here:

Discover the Heart of Paris with a Guided Walk around the Louvre

This tour offers an excellent introduction to central Paris, focusing on the iconic Louvre Museum and its stunning surroundings. For $53 per person, it combines a 4-hour guided walking experience with a timed-entry ticket to explore the Louvre at your own pace afterward. The tour starts from Comptoir Denon & Richelieu, with a meeting point at the statue of Louis XIV on horseback in front of the Louvre Pyramid, near 10 Place du Carrousel.

This experience is highly practical for visitors who want a structured overview of the area and skip the long lines at the museum. The tour’s strength is its balanced mix of sightseeing, history, and flexibility, especially for those wanting to enjoy the Louvre without feeling rushed.

Exploring the Tuileries Gardens, Statues, and Ponds

The journey begins with a walk through the Tuileries Gardens, where visitors admire flowers, statues, and ponds that decorate this historic space. The guide shares interesting facts about the gardens, their design, and their significance, making it a lively start for your Paris day.

Next, you’ll pass under the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel, a monument that once celebrated Napoleon’s military victories and now serves as a backdrop for memorable photos. The guide explains its history and location’s importance, giving visitors context before heading toward the Louvre. This stop offers a chance to appreciate the grandeur of the surroundings and get a feel for the city’s royal past.

Visiting the Landmarks on the Axe Historique

The tour highlights the Axe Historique, a grand 2-mile stretch of Paris architecture that aligns key landmarks from the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel to the Louvre, providing a visual guide to the city’s planning. The guide points out the Cour Napoleon and shares insights into the area’s role in Parisian history, enriching the walk with stories behind these iconic structures.

This segment creates a sense of coherence in the cityscape, helping visitors understand how Paris’s ancient layout influences its modern skyline. It also allows plenty of opportunities for photos and appreciating the city’s classical elegance.

Fast-Tracking into the Louvre Museum

After walking around the outdoor landmarks, the tour concludes at the Louvre Museum. Guests receive a timed-entry ticket, which allows them to skip the crowds waiting in line, and then explore the museum on their own.

This arrangement offers flexibility: visitors can focus on their favorite exhibits or follow recommendations provided by the guide earlier. While the tour doesn’t include guided visits inside the museum, the preparation and context provided outside make the self-guided exploration richer.

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Optional Seine River Cruise for Scenic Views

For those who select the upgraded option, the tour includes a narrated cruise along the Seine River. The guide provides instructions on where to find the boat, which departs within one year of the tour date, offering an hour-long voyage that showcases Paris from the water.

This cruise adds a scenic dimension to the experience, with views of famous bridges, landmarks, and the riverside architecture. It complements the walking tour by providing a different perspective of the city’s beauty.

Practical Details: Meeting Point and Accessibility

The meeting point is clearly defined at the statue of Louis XIV on horseback, just outside the Louvre entrance, making it easy to locate. It’s close to Palais Royal Musee du Louvre Metro station (Lines 1 and 7), roughly a five-minute walk.

The tour is wheelchair accessible, and the live English-speaking guide ensures clear communication. However, visitors should be prepared for around a mile of walking, and note that elevators or escalators may be unavailable at times due to ongoing repairs.

What’s Included and What’s Not

The package covers a guide, a timed-entry ticket to the Louvre, and a visit to the Tuileries Gardens. If the upgraded option is chosen, the Seine river cruise is included. Food and drinks are not included, so plan accordingly for refreshments before or after the tour.

This tour is designed for those who appreciate a structured introduction to Paris’s central sights, combined with the freedom to explore the Louvre at their own pace afterward.

Tour Experience and Guide Quality

The tour consistently earns a solid 4.2 out of 5 stars from over 330 reviews. Reviewers praise the knowledgeable guides, such as Denise, Austin, and Paula, who explain the landmarks clearly and make history engaging.

Multiple reviews mention the friendly, charismatic guides who balance fun facts with informative storytelling. Some note that the walk is just the right length before entering the Louvre, making it a good prelude to a longer museum visit.

Timing, Pacing, and Weather Considerations

The 4-hour duration includes sightseeing and the museum entry, with the option for a Seine cruise. The tour runs rain or shine, and if extreme weather prompts cancellation, a full refund is offered.

Participants should be prepared for about a mile of walking and understand that elevators or escalators might sometimes be out of service, which could affect those with mobility concerns.

Who Will Appreciate This Tour Most

This experience suits visitors who want a concise yet rundown of central Paris landmarks and prefer to keep the Louvre exploration flexible. It’s ideal for first-time visitors who want to understand the city’s layout and history before diving into the museum’s collections.

The guided walk provides enough context to enhance the self-guided Louvre visit, and the option for a Seine cruise adds a memorable scenic component.

Final Thoughts on the Louvre and Tuileries Garden Tour

This tour offers a well-structured introduction to Paris’s most famous sights with expert guides and easy logistics. Its skip-the-line ticket helps save time, while the guided walk enriches understanding of the area’s history and architecture.

While it doesn’t include inside museum guides or access to specific artworks, the combination of outdoor sightseeing and free exploration inside the Louvre makes it a balanced, practical choice. Visitors who value flexibility, scenic views, and expert commentary will find this tour a worthwhile addition to their Paris itinerary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the tour include guided visits inside the Louvre?
No, the ticket provided is for self-guided exploration after the outdoor tour.

Can I upgrade to include the Seine River cruise?
Yes, the tour offers an option to include a narrated cruise on the Seine, departing within one year of the tour date.

Where exactly do we meet for the tour?
The meeting point is at the statue of Louis XIV on horseback in front of the Louvre Pyramid, near 10 Place du Carrousel.

Is the tour accessible for wheelchair users?
Yes, the tour is wheelchair accessible.

How long is the walking portion?
The walk covers about a mile, with some stops at key landmarks and outdoor sightseeing.

What is not included in the tour?
Food and drinks are not included.

What should I bring?
Visitors need to bring passport or ID for the museum entry.

What happens in case of bad weather?
The tour runs rain or shine, but if extreme weather causes cancellation, a full refund is issued.

Is the tour suitable for children?
The tour is designed for adults and older children comfortable with walking and outdoor sightseeing.

Are the guides knowledgeable about the history and landmarks?
Yes, guides are praised for their knowledge, clarity, and friendly demeanor.

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