Paris Louvre Museum for Kids A Parent Complete Guide to Family Friendly Art Adventures

The Paris Louvre Museum is one of the largest art museums in the world; it is so large, in fact, that you would not be able to see any of the 380,000 objects in the museum in a single day But going with kids is an entirely different experience; once the first signs of boredom rear their ugly heads, things can turn on a dime.

This is why being armed with some tips and advice can help you keep your visit with children as fascinating as ever. Speaking of which, the first good news when checking the Louvré museum pricing is that children get into the Louvré for FREE, although adults must purchase an entry ticket to visit.

A guided tour is better with kids

Although anyone thinking of going to the Louvre will benefit from the ability to attend with a guided tour, it is even more so when you are with children. One reason for this is that you can also book a regular guided tour that has been designed especially for children, meaning that the guide will actually engage the children in the visit, to help them have a clearer understanding of what each work signifies and means, while also allowing you as a parent or caregiver, to focus more on the work or the exhibition altogether and not worry less about the children.

It is important to take into consideration a guide’s level of expertise in entertaining children during the visit. Guides have escorted groups of all ages for many years and know which works provoke the most compelling responses and methods of explaining them to engage children. Moreover, a visit with a Louvre guide will be shorter but intense, which is exactly what children look forward to listening to during the visit! A less expensive option is an audio guide for children.

How to Book Louvre Museum Paris Tickets?

Eat beforehand before arriving at the Louvre with kids

The Louvre has quite a bit of walking involved, either on a guided tour or on your own. It is very helpful to arrive well rested and well fed with the kids. Keep in mind, eating or bringing food into the museum is against the rules.

There are many breakfast spots with delicious breakfast options for lunch that are also located close to the Louvre. There are food options in the shopping centre inside the Louvre as well if you’re looking to grab food. If you have even less time, you can just take food from any café or bar that is open.

Use the bathroom before visiting the Louvre

It is wise to stop in the bathroom before continuing, especially after a large meal and/or drink. The Louvre is a very large museum and the exhibits can be much longer than expected. Also, children, because of the age and their metabolism go to the bathroom quicker than any other healthy adults.

While it’s a subject of fact that there’s public toilets, the reality of how large it is makes it easy to lose sight of those public toilets, especially if there’s a considerable amount of people inside.

Also, if you book a guided tour of the Paris Louvre Museum, it’s definitely going to be a hassle for you to lose part of your time while you’re distracted with searching for the toilets or waiting in time.

The Louvre accepts pushchairs

There is no conflict between infants and the Louvre. Although it may be tiring to lug the baby back and forth with a pushchair, the building is completely accessible with all the amenities to support baby prams. The construction of the building is old – dating back to the 12th century, but there have been many improvements to make the Louvre Museum one of the best-equipped museums in Paris in terms of accessibility and reduced mobility.

Also, prams are welcome throughout the museum, and you are unlikely to feel uncomfortable. Inside the Louvre, there are lifts available for families with babies.

In addition, at the Pyramid, there are separate lines depending on the ticket type, and if you have a “reduced mobility” ticket you can go in a different line. Don’t worry, unless you get there too late you will rarely have to wait much longer than anyone else. The lifts are glass and futuristic, so I am sure the kids love it.

Provide the children with a map of the Louvre

It is best, we said, to comfort children in a way that seems most comfortable for them, above all by including them in it directly and getting them to participate. One of the best ways, is to give them a map, and start to create the search for works as a kind of “treasure hunt”.

Great point! Moreover, using a map will help us optimise the tour for less time, but more intensity. Remember that it is virtually impossible to visit all works in one visit. So, I’d recommend you download the full map and if you can, print it out. Keep in mind that the museum has 5 floors and the exhibition hall is divided into 8 sections! Without a map and a guide friend, you will certainly get lost.

Purchase a guidebook for the Louvre

Having some historical background about the works that you want to view it is so important, in order to hold children’s attention and peak their interest. If there is one universal constant with children, it is that they love to hear stories, so getting the background will be critical in the keep the mystery alive, at least through the visit.

I’m guessing that you’re buying tickets specifically to visit the Louvre because you’re interested in the museum and you know what you want to see; but if not, it’s not a problem. A quick look the day before you’re at the museum should provide adequate context for your visit.

Have a shorter tour of the Louvre

Similar to museums everywhere, children do not have the same attention span as adults, and most museum exhibits are not made for children. Additionally, when visiting any museum with children, it is usually a good idea to make a shorter itinerary even if, you are aware of the Paris Louvre Museum opening hours, and the time to visit the exhibits is still longer than planned. It is a common phenomenon when we purchase an experience, say tickets to the Louvre museum, we typically want to get our money’s worth, and we try to see everything we have time for when trying to get our money’s worth. But again, when visiting a museum with children, important to be considerate of them.

Prepare to be part of the Mona Lisa paparazzi at the Louvre

The Mona Lisa is practically synonymous with the Louvre – the early 16th century Italian Renaissance painting by Leonardo da Vinci has been on display at the Louvre since 1797. The lines are long for the Mona Lisa, which is behind bulletproof glass and protected by guards.

If you’re with kids, try to avoid lingering in the Mona Lisa room during peak times of day when it’s crowded with other tourist party-goers. During the madness of crowds, it’s easy for kids to get lost. Also, I would not recommend coming on your summer trip to Paris with kids, due to the amount of tourists you will encounter. While we’re on the subject, I suggest this post for more general tips for your trip to Paris.

Explain the museum’s policies to children

In a museum such as the Louvre, there are a number of rules that govern the smooth operation of the site, there are a number of policies that if not followed can result in expulsion, and unfortunately these policies apply to everyone, including children.

So, prior to walking into the museum, kids should be reminded of the prohibitions inside the museum, since they will naturally get carried away, particularly because they would be inside a location intended to catch attention.

Give the Kids a Camera

Similarly, if you have planned a trip to the Louvre, we should include the kids in that event, and one of the best ways to get them involved is to give them a camera and let them document their visit to the museum.

However, try to explain fairly clearly as flash is not permitted in the Louvre museum nor is taking pictures with a selfie stick because they can damage works and/or disrupt museum operation.

FAQ

1. Is the Louvre Museum child-friendly?

Yes, the Louvre offers kid-friendly tours, interactive exhibits, and family activities that make art fun and engaging.

2. What are the best sections of the Louvre to visit with children?

The Egyptian antiquities, Greek statues, and the Mona Lisa are popular highlights kids usually enjoy.

3. Are there guided tours for families with children at the Louvre?

Yes, family-focused tours are available, designed to keep children entertained while learning about art and history.

4. Can you bring strollers inside the Louvre Museum?

Yes, strollers are allowed, but some areas may have limited access. Elevators and ramps are available for convenience.

5. How long should families spend at the Louvre with kids?

Two to three hours is usually enough to see highlights without overwhelming younger visitors.