About this tour
The Louvre's collection spans five thousand years, and throughout that entire sweep of time, the female figure has been one of the most constant subjects of art. This tour uses that subject as a lens through which to look at the whole collection differently — moving from the ancient world to the 19th century, asking at each stop who is representing women, how, and why.
The result is a tour that is both intellectually rich and emotionally engaging — one that tends to generate lively conversations and to leave visitors with a genuinely new way of thinking about the images that surround us.
The Venus de Milo — perhaps the most famous female figure in the history of art
What you will see
The tour crosses the entire museum, from Egyptian offering bearers and Greek goddesses to the monumental female figures of French Neoclassicism and Romanticism. We encounter the Venus de Milo, Delacroix's Liberty, Vermeer's Lacemaker, the extraordinary Egyptian porteuse d'offrandes, and many works that are less well known but equally compelling.
If there is a particular period, tradition, or figure you are most interested in, mention it in your request. While nothing can be promised, every effort will be made.
Who is this tour for?
This tour is open to everyone, but it tends to resonate particularly strongly with visitors who are interested in gender, history, or the social dimensions of art. It is also an excellent choice for groups of friends or colleagues, and for anyone who wants to approach the Louvre collection from a fresh and thought-provoking angle.
Availability
The Louvre is closed on Tuesdays. All other days are available, subject to your preferred time slot.
Important notice
The Louvre is a living museum. Rooms may occasionally close without notice for operational reasons, and works are regularly moved for restoration, loans, or temporary exhibitions. The three great icons of the collection — the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace — are on permanent display and accessible whenever the museum is open. For any other specific work, if it is unavailable on the day, an equally fascinating alternative will always be proposed.