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château du Louvre, Paris

château du Louvre

Paris

Information last verified on

August 4, 2026

Beneath the Louvre palace in Paris lie the remains of the fortified castle built by Philip Augustus at the end of the 12th century to seal off the wall that protected the capital. The medieval structure was gradually torn down and replaced by the present buildings, though its foundations can still be seen in the museum's archaeological rooms. A visit here moves, within the same site, from the Capetian stronghold to the collections of Paris's largest museum.

Written from Medieval Louvre Castle

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What to know

  • The museum is open every day according to its regular hours.
  • The adult ticket costs 22 euros.
  • A paid car park is located at 1 avenue du Général-Lemonnier, reached via the Carrousel du Louvre shopping gallery.
  • The remains of the medieval castle can be seen in the museum's lower rooms, included within the collection route.

Practical information

Opening hours

Monday09:00-18:00
TuesdayClosed
Wednesday (today)09:00-21:00
Thursday09:00-18:00
Friday09:00-21:00
Saturday09:00-18:00
Sunday09:00-18:00

Annual closures : Tuesday (weekly), 1 January, 1 May, 25 December

Prices

Adult
€22.00
Child
Free

Free for Under-18s (all nationalities), 18-25 year-olds who are residents or nationals of the EEA, disabled visitors and one companion, jobseekers and recipients of welfare benefits residing in the EEA, teachers with a Pass Éducation, Ministry of Culture staff, ICOM members, tour guides, journalists, professional artists, members (Amis du Louvre, CLEF, etc.), students from certain schools, holders of a Paris Museum Pass or free pass, free for everyone on the first Friday of the month after 6pm (except July-August) and on 14 July

Visit duration
Not verified
Wheelchair access
Not verified
Dogs
Not verified
Parking
A parking facility with entrance at 1 avenue du Général-Lemonnier, accessible via the Carrousel du Louvre shopping gallery

Priority access via the blue lane, Pyramid tube lift reserved for people with reduced mobility, wheelchairs and pushchairs, assistance equipment available at the Assistance area

On site

  • Gift shop
  • Picnic area

Where this château is

Paris · Paris · Île-de-France

Get directionsView on a map

75001 Paris

+33 1 40 20 53 17

Heritage status

Protection status unknown

In pictures

  • Public domain
  • Louvre 1190-1202. La tour du coin est la tour sur la droite.
    engraver: Louis-Pierre Baltard, 1764-1846, France · Public domain
  • Louvre dans Les Très Riches Heures
    Limbourg brothers / Barthélemy d'Eyck · Public domain
  • Maps of the Louvre neighborhood. On the left, a map showing 1595. On the right, a map showing 1380. The overlay shows the same area in 1876.
    Theodor Josef Hubert Hoffbauer · Public domain
  • The fortress of the Louvre circa 1380 (Paris, France). The tour du Coin (=corner tower) is at the jonction of the wall of Philippe-Auguste to the right side with the Louvre gate and in the back of the
    Theodor Josef Hubert Hoffbauer · Public domain
  • The Louvre (Paris, France) in 1622 at the time of king Louis XIII. The walls of Philippe-Auguste and of Charles V were destroyed and replaced by buildings of the palais du Louvre. The castle of Louvre
    Theodor Josef Hubert Hoffbauer · Public domain
  • Towers of the entrance in the eastern wall of the medieval Louvre (Paris, France). The rectangular pillar supported the drawbridge.
    Tangopaso · Public domain

Frequently asked

Are there remains of the medieval castle inside the Louvre today?
Yes, the foundations of Philip Augustus's castle are visible in the museum's archaeological rooms.
Who built the château du Louvre?
King Philip Augustus, between 1190 and 1202, to protect the wall enclosing Paris.
How much does it cost to visit the Louvre?
The adult ticket price is 22 euros.
Where can visitors park near the Louvre?
A paid car park can be reached at 1 avenue du Général-Lemonnier, through the Carrousel du Louvre shopping gallery.

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Sources

Identity, location and official references from Wikidata and the Mérimée register.

Within an hour’s drive