At the Louvre, most people think of the permanent galleries first and rarely of the temporary exhibitions. Yet this is one of the museum's most practical features: your entry ticket gives access to the collections and to the current exhibitions, at no extra charge. This autumn, that means four appointments spread between late September and early May: Zurbarán, Sculpter la couleur, Les Hôtes du Louvre and Louvre Photo.

Here is how to approach them, in which order, and when in the week to walk through the door. To round out the season's programme, our selection of other autumn 2026 exhibitions in Paris covers the neighbouring museums.

One ticket, no exhibition supplement

Admission is €22 for residents and citizens of the European Economic Area, and €32 for non-residents. This ticket gives access to the permanent collections and the temporary exhibitions: there is no need to look for a separate ticket office. Zurbarán and Sculpter la couleur share a single ticket, and Louvre Photo is included when you book your museum entry ticket.

The museum recommends booking a time slot, even for free admission, on the official Louvre ticketing site.

Zurbarán and Sculpter la couleur, from 7 October to 25 January

The two exhibitions open on the same day and occupy the Hall Napoléon, with a shared scenography. Zurbarán (1598-1664) is the first major international presentation devoted to the painter since 1987-1988.

Sculpter la couleur echoes it with 23 sculptures, masterpieces from the Museo Nacional de Escultura in Valladolid. Allow around 1h15 for both, in one go. No attendance figures have been announced: as a simple precaution, expect the first weeks after the opening to be the busiest, and aim instead for a late opening (see below).

Les Hôtes du Louvre: Kader Attia and Elizabeth Peyton

This is the first of the four to close. Les Hôtes du Louvre brings together Kader Attia and Elizabeth Peyton in the Sully wing, Chapelle room, from 24 September to 14 December 2026. The page we consulted does not specify the ticket type for this exhibition: the museum's general rule suggests it is included, but check when you book.

Louvre Photo: more than 300 photographs

From 4 November 2026 to 3 May 2027, Louvre Photo gathers more than 300 photographs in the Mezzanine Napoléon, marking the bicentenary of photography. Allow about 1h30. It is the exhibition that gives you the most time: it runs through the winter and part of the spring, making it an easy visit to fit in outside peak periods.

Choosing your day and time

The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. The rest of the week follows two rhythms:

  • Monday, Thursday, Saturday and Sunday: 9am to 6pm;
  • Wednesday and Friday: 9am to 9pm. These late openings come with free programming included in your ticket (mini-visits, OFF trails).

On the first Friday of the month, admission is free after 6pm (except in July and August), collections and current exhibitions included, by booking a free evening ticket. The upcoming first Fridays are 6 November and 4 December (to be confirmed on the ticketing site). That evening will probably be very busy: if your goal is to look at Zurbarán in peace, a paid late opening on another Wednesday or Friday will probably be more comfortable.

A simple order: Les Hôtes du Louvre before mid-December, Zurbarán and Sculpter la couleur in a single visit, and Louvre Photo separately, from November.

From the 9th arrondissement to the Louvre by metro

From 41 rue de Clichy, head to Place de Clichy station (lines 2 and 13). One possible route: line 13 towards Châtillon-Montrouge to Champs-Élysées-Clemenceau, then line 1 towards Château de Vincennes to Palais Royal - Musée du Louvre. The journey time has not been verified: the Île-de-France Mobilités journey planner gives the timing for the day. If you are coming from afar, our practical guide to metro tickets saves you from surprises at the ticket window.

A visit to the Louvre pairs nicely with another cultural outing during the week, such as the Mary Cassatt retrospective at the Musée d'Orsay.

For more ideas for a cultural break in Paris, our Paris sightseeing guide completes the list.