With five floors, 500,000 artworks, and one glass pyramid, the Louvre is a must-see attraction for a reason. And while its sheer size and scale are impressive (it was a 12th-century palace, after all), it’s the masterpieces inside that cement the museum’s reputation. Just be aware that blockbuster attractions like the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and Winged Victory all draw seriously big crowds. If you want to get up close and personal with the Mona Lisa, without five people between you and that half smile, you should make a beeline for the Denon wing right when doors open. (Plans are currently in the works to give the painting its own room.) The museum is so big that it’s helpful to decide in advance what you want to see, whether that’s Greek and Roman sculpture, Egyptian antiquities, Islamic art, decorative objects, Renaissance paintings, or something else. A guided tour can help focus your visit and get you the backstory behind these works.