You can walk around the grounds, which are pretty big. You can't go up to the glass pyramid without entering through security and presenting your ticket. You can take pictures of the glass pyramid, which is above ground, for free. The grounds around the Louvre are quite attractive. There are trees, gardens, and lots of art.
The pyramid itself is about 20 feet high and made of clear glass. It was built in 1976 as a museum for Egyptian artifacts from the Louvre. Although it's free to enter the gallery that contains the pyramid, you have to pay to climb up inside it.
In addition to the garden outside the entrance, the pyramid-shaped building with its glass walls that allow visitors to see inside but not visit, there is a small cafe/restaurant on the first floor of the museum with great views over Paris.
If you're lucky, you might catch one of the many special exhibitions that are displayed in the Louvre Museum. These often include important works of art that aren't usually on public display. For example, there was an exhibition recently showing paintings by Degas that weren't previously shown in France. There are also regular exhibits featuring works by new artists that are currently popular with American collectors.
You may snap photographs of the glass pyramid above ground for free. The gardens around the Louvre are pretty lovely. Yes, you may walk under the arches by following the road. No, there are no guards or security cameras inside the museum. There are information boards explaining various aspects of French history so be sure to read those too.
However, photography is prohibited in the underground passages and rooms of the Louvre Museum. Violators will be fined 500-5000 euros ($A630-$A6500).
The pyramid was completed in 1989 by Chinese architect Ieoh Ming Pei. It's one of his most famous works and certainly not least because it's the only one built outside of China. The pyramid is used as a viewing platform at night when light shows are presented inside the museum. These can be enjoyed for free but tickets must be bought in advance online or from ticket booths located throughout the grounds of the museum.
There are several other museums in Paris that charge admission fees. Some are very small and offer limited exhibits while others such as the Picasso Museum or Modern and Contemporary Art Museum have many more galleries with modern art exhibitions. They are all worth visiting for anyone interested in culture and art.
In terms of cost, the Louvre Museum is one of the most expensive in Europe.
You can access the Louvre either directly through the glass pyramid or via the Carrousel du Louvre, a subterranean shopping/restaurant complex connected to the pyramid. The Pyramid itself is not open to the public, but there are some interesting exhibitions inside.
It would be scandalous to visit Paris without seeing the glass pyramid, wandering through the Khorsabad courtyard, admiring the Venus de Milo, and viewing the Mona Lisa! A visit to the Louvre, on the other hand, necessitates some forethought. For example, you must be aware of the Louvre's operating hours. It is open from Tuesday to Sunday from 9:30 am to 6:00 pm, but it is best to avoid visiting between 12:45 pm and 2:15 pm when there are long lines outside.
The best time to visit is either early in the morning or late in the evening. On weekdays, the museum is less crowded then and you have a better chance of seeing lots of art treasures in one go. Weekend visits are more flexible, so if you get stuck waiting in line for something exciting you can always leave the area and do other things in Paris.
You should also know that admission is free on the first Sunday of each month from 9:30 am to 1:30 pm. This is called "Louvre/Musée Marmottan Monet" day and it is very popular! Make sure to check the calendar before you go to plan your visit.
Finally, take advantage of all the free activities the museum offers such as guided tours in several languages (including English), workshops, lectures, etc. There are different schedules throughout the year, so check out their website to find out what's happening while you're in town.