What are the 10 things you must see at the Louvre? The essential masterpieces are: 1. The Mona Lisa (Vinci), 2. The Venus de Milo, 3. The Winged Victory of Samothrace, 4. The Raft of the Medusa (Géricault), 5. The Wedding Feast at Cana (Veronese), 6. The Slaves (Michelangelo), 7. The Coronation of Napoleon (David), 8. The Seated Scribe, 9. Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix), and 10. Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss (Canova).
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The 10 Masterpieces You Can't Miss at the Louvre
1 Mona Lisa - Leonardo da Vinci
The Mona Lisa / Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com : alfredosaz.gmail.com via depositphotos
Painted between 1503 and 1517, it probably depicts Lisa Gherardini, wife of Francesco del Giocondo. Famous for its enigmatic smile, it was stolen in 1911 and recovered in 1912.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Room 711, Salle des États.
2 The Venus de Milo
The Venus de Milo / Iphoto Reidl/Shutterstock.fr
Discovered in 1820 on the Greek island of Milo, this ancient sculpture made between 150 and 130 BC remains a mystery... not least because of its missing arms.
📍 Location: Ground Floor, Sully Wing - Room 16.
3 Victory of Samothrace
The Victory of Samothrace / photo muratart/Shutterstock.fr
Imposing winged statue, nearly 3 meters tall, found in 1863 on the island of Samothrace. It probably dates from the 2nd century BC.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Daru Staircase, Room 703.
4 The Raft of the Medusa - Théodore Géricault
"The Raft of the Medusa" by Théodore Géricault (1791-1824), produced in 1818-1819 and exhibited at the Louvre Museum.
Painted between 1818 and 1819, this dramatic masterpiece recounts the sinking of the ship "La Méduse" in 1816, where only 10 survivors are rescued.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Room 700, Mollien Room.
5 The Wedding at Cana - Paul Veronese
The Wedding at Cana (1563) by Paul Veronese (1528-1588). Musée du Louvre, Paris;
Huge canvas (almost 10 m wide) painted in 1563. Seized by Napoleonic troops in 1797, it never left the Louvre.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Room 711, Salle des États.
6 The Slaves - Michelangelo
The Dying Slave by Michelangelo (1513-1515) Photo by Jean-Baptiste D. on Unsplash
Two sculptures: "L'Esclave mourant" and "L'Esclave rebelle", created between 1513 and 1515, presented to King François I.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Ground Floor, Room 403.
7 The Rite of Napoleon - Jacques-Louis David
The Coronation of Napoleon “Coronation of Emperor Napoleon Iand Empress Josephine in Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, December 2, 1804” by Jacques-Louis DAVID (1807 1809) Louvre Museum, Paris.
Painted from 1807 to 1809 by Jacques Louis DAVID, it depicts Napoleon crowning Josephine at Notre-Dame de Paris, before Pius VII and the imperial court.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Room 702, Daru Room.
8 The Crouching Scribe
The crouching scribe from the Musée du Louvre (2600 BC) Musée du Louvre / By photo Vladimir Wrangel/Shutterstock.fr
Over 4700 years old (c. 2600 BC), this Egyptian limestone sculpture shows a scribe ready to write.
📍 Location: Sully Wing - 1st Floor, Room 635.
9 Liberty Guiding the People - Eugène Delacroix
Liberty Leading the People / Eugène Delacroix (1830) Louvre Museum, Paris.
Created in 1830 by Eugène DELACROIX, this painting embodies the "Trois Glorieuses", the July uprising. Became a symbol of the Republic.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Room 700 (Romanticism).
10 Psyche revived by Love's kiss - Antonio Canova
Psychée revived by the Baiser de l'amour at the Louvre / photo Paolo Gallo/Shutterstock.fr
A masterpiece of neoclassicism, this marble sculpture (1787-1793) embodies eternal love and tenderness.
📍 Location: Denon Wing - Room 4, Michelangelo Gallery.
Everything You Need to Know Before Your Visit (FAQ)
Where exactly is the Mona Lisa located in the Louvre?
The Mona Lisa is exhibited in the Denon Wing, 1st Floor (Level 2 US), Room 711 (Salle des États). Since it is the most popular work, we recommend heading there as soon as the museum opens.
What is the largest painting on display at the Louvre?
The largest painting is "The Wedding Feast at Cana" by Paul Veronese. It stands 22 feet high and 32 feet wide, occupying the entire wall facing the Mona Lisa.
Can you see the whole Louvre in one day?
No, it is impossible given the sheer size of the collections. To comfortably discover the 10 major works in our selection, plan for about 3 to 4 hours of walking.
Why does the Venus de Milo have no arms?
Her arms have never been found since her discovery in 1820. While several theories exist (she might have been holding an apple or a mirror), this mystery is part of her worldwide legend.
When is the best time to avoid the crowds at the Louvre?
Aim for the Friday night late openings (until 9:45 PM) or the time slots right at opening at 9:00 AM on weekdays. You must book a timed-entry ticket online in advance.
Plan Your Stay in Paris
The Louvre is just the beginning of your discovery of the French capital. To perfectly organize your trip and ensure you don't miss any of Paris's heritage, visit our complete guide to Paris: monuments and must-sees.
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