Louvre Museum

The world’s most-visited museum receives nearly 15,000 visitors per day. The Louvre’s history spans 800 years, and the museum itself — a grand palace dating back to the late 12th century — has served as a royal residence and seat of power for French heads of state. Collections range from ancient civilizations to Western art from the Middle Ages to the mid-19th century. It’s tough to tackle the Louvre’s collection of more than 35,000 pieces of art in a single day, so narrow down your visit to a few of your favorite wings or masterpieces, like the Mona Lisa or Venus de Milo. Guided tours are a great way to get your bearings, but if you’d rather be your own guide, download the free “My Visit to the Louvre” app.