Louvre-Lens Museum

The Louvre-Lens may not be as vast as the Louvre in Paris, but it’s a remarkable museum in its own right. Its collection is impressive, and you can’t help but be drawn in. What makes it even more enjoyable is the lack of crowds, allowing you plenty of time to observe and fully immerse yourself in the art.

Free admission, nice collection in a quiet place. There is additional exhibition that costs extra. Audio guide available for 2 euros.

The Mona Lisa has become a cruel joke. One of the most beautiful paintings you'll see but everyone has their back to it to take selfies. So you are looking at them not the Mona Lisa. This painting dominates the experience. Advantage is you get to see Liberty Leading the People and my favourite the statue and mosaics from Persia with very little crowds. I used a guide to usher us in which cost 40e but saved about 3 hours queuing so well worth it.

Amazing museum, an unexpected discovery. Permanent exhibition is great and free. We especially liked Egyptian pieces. We also visited the temporary exhibition afterwards, underworld, which was 11 euro but definitely worth it. You can use the online audio guide on your phone for free. Don't forget to take your headphones. It is extremely informative. Not all pieces are marked so it is a bit difficult to find out if there is audio about a piece or not, but for the rest, it is one of the best guides I saw.

I recently had the pleasure of visiting the Louvre in Lens, and I want to take a moment to highlight an exceptional employee who truly made my experience unforgettable. This kind gentleman, originally from Hong Kong, went above and beyond to assist me during my visit. From the moment I approached him with questions about the exhibits, his warm smile and genuine enthusiasm were evident. He took the time to share fascinating insights about the artworks and the history behind them, making me feel genuinely engaged and valued as a visitor. His extensive knowledge and passion for the museum were contagious, and it was clear that he takes great pride in his work. What truly stood out was his kindness and willingness to help. Whether it was providing directions, recommending must-see pieces, or simply sharing a friendly conversation, he made my visit feel personal and special. It’s rare to encounter someone so dedicated and approachable in a busy environment like a museum. Thank you for making my experience at the Louvre in Lens so memorable! Your kindness and expertise are truly appreciated, and I hope others get the chance to benefit from your wonderful service.

Great place to visit, we just did the free portion and it was more than enough!

This is a hidden gem in the North of France. Louvre-Lens is a beautiful museum. The main exhibition gives in one big hall an oversight of art from -3500 BC till 19th century. Very good explanations and app. Unfortunately the temperarly exhibition was not opened, but the parc around the museum is also worth a visit. Don't forget to have a lunch (3-course) in the restaurant that is part of the museum.

I had always wanted to visit the Louvre-Lens and I finally went on a Sunday. The bus lines were not running, so I had to walk from the train station. It is a very long walk, longer than what they advertise on the museum's website. The museum is in a beautiful building, and the visit is relatively short. They have relatively few, but very interesting works of art spanning several centuries. The gallery is one large open space, and I noticed kids get less bored with this configuration compared to a regular museum. The indoor picnic area is quite convenient, I strongly recommend bringing your own food. Oh, and it is free. Worth a visit!

This museum was designed by renowned Japanese architect SANAA, and plays with the concept of inside v.s. outside. The experience begins at the train station - Lens is 1hr north from Paris - and winds through a lovely wooded park to the museum. The architect's touch is present but very subtly. There is a unassuming fence of reeds on the right, wiring for path lighting weaves back and forth across the trees, the informational placards for the area have raised markings so it's a joy to see AND feel your bearings. The museum itself has a low slung profile and beautifully reflects the natural landscape around it. At times it seems the building is hardly there as trees and clouds move across its surface. The interior is just as stunning, circular pods discovered outside in the concrete are repeated inside as pop-up library, information, and eating areas. Exhibits are displayed in chronological order so it's easy for any adult or child to glance up to see what millennia they're currently "in". Best of all, there's lockers for storing your bags if you're in transit from Paris to another city and.... it's free!! (as of June 2015)

Cool space. Very impressive and true to the sites history as mine. Perm collection is OK. A few great pieces, lots of high-end filler. It's the Louvres little brother, after all. Temp exhibit on war was outstanding. The curator did a great job capturing the essence of war-related art and it's role in our understanding of conflict, I almost missed it but you can see the storage area for priceless pieces on the lower level. That was kind of cool. The food in the cafeteria was OK. Nothing special but better than your average museum cafeteria.