Louisiana Museum of Modern Art
Museum of modern and contemporary art in Humlebæk on the Øresund with a sculpture park, the Giacometti Room and a large children's house.
About the museum
In the mid-1950s the entrepreneur and art collector Knud W. Jensen acquired a country estate in Humlebæk north of København in order to give modern art a home that it had hardly had in Danish museums until then. He took the name from the estate built in 1855: its builder, Alexander Brun, was married in succession to three women who were all named Louise. The museum opened in 1958 and attracted far more guests than expected in its very first year.
The architects Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert connected the old villa to the grounds above the Øresund through low glass corridors and pavilions – the tour is laid out as a covered walk through the park and is regarded as a masterpiece of Danish modernism. In several stages the West Wing and concert hall (1966–1976), the South Wing (1982), the underground East or Graphics Wing (1991) and, in 1994, the Children's House were added; from 2003 to 2006 the entire building was modernized.
After only a few years the initially Danish-oriented collection turned into an international one. Today it comprises more than 4,000 works from 1945 onward with focal points such as Alberto Giacometti, Asger Jorn, Nouveau Réalisme, American Pop Art and German painting of the 1980s. Around 50 sculptures stand permanently in the park. In addition, with temporary exhibitions, concerts, the literature festival Louisiana Literature and the video platform Louisiana Channel, Louisiana is a major cultural venue.
Highlights
- Giacometti Room with a view of the Søhaven
- Mirror room installation "Gleaming Lights of the Souls" by Yayoi Kusama
- Jorn Room with paintings by Asger Jorn
- Sculpture park above the Øresund with works by Henry Moore, Alexander Calder and Richard Serra
- Architecture by Jørgen Bo and Vilhelm Wohlert
- Children's House with workshops open daily
Permanent exhibitions
- Giacometti-salen – In the North Wing stands one of the internationally most important groups of original sculptures by Alberto Giacometti, staged in front of the window onto the Søhaven.
- Jorn-rummet – The tall, bright room at the end of the North Wing shows a selection of paintings by the Danish postwar painter Asger Jorn.
- Kusama installation – Gleaming Lights of the Souls – Yayoi Kusama's mirror room from 2008 with hanging lamps above a water surface, accessible in the South Wing; access is temporarily changed.
- Founded
- 1958
- Director
- Poul Erik Tøjner
- Visitors per year
- approx. 334,926 (2021)
Admission & discounts
| Adults | DKK 145 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | DKK 130Students with a student ID, guests of club members (up to 4 people) |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 17 · Children and teenagers under 18 free; children under 14 only when accompanied by adults |
| Seniors | –No senior discount on admission; retiree discount on club cards only |
| Visitors with disabilities | –companion free · Visitors with disabilities can bring a companion free of charge |
| Students & apprentices | DKK 130with student ID |
| Groups (16+ people) | DKK 130 per personwhen paying together on site, students DKK 120; corporate offer "Louisiana Aften" with tour and café from DKK 330 per person (from 10 people) |
| Klubkort 1 (annual pass) | DKK 490Retirees DKK 75 cheaper |
| Klubkort 1+1 (annual pass with one guest) | DKK 595Retirees DKK 75 cheaper |
| Klubkort U29 (ages 18–29) | DKK 175 |
| Klubkort U29+ (ages 18–29, with one guest) | DKK 260 |
An admission ticket or club card is also required for the café, shop and sculpture park. Online tickets are valid for one year from purchase for any opening day, no time-slot booking. Free admission with the Copenhagen Card Discover; discounts including for DSB Plus and with ferry tickets from Molslinjen, Bornholmslinjen and Öresundslinjen (20%). Kulturpas is accepted.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible
- Elevator
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome
- Tactile models & exhibits
- Sign language tours
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Step-free access with an automatic door on the right in the courtyard; ramps, elevators and stair lifts to all gallery levels, and at times areas may be partially accessible. Loan wheelchairs (reservation recommended). Blind and visually impaired guests may touch selected sculptures with gloves by arrangement. Sign language interpreters can be booked for tours, induction loop in the concert hall. Assistance dogs after prior registration. Accessible parking spaces on Louisevej directly in front of the main entrance. Participation in the Sunflower program for invisible disabilities, visual preparation via AutismGoTo.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 17 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
- Stroller-friendly
- Baby changing facilities
- Kids’ birthday parties
In the three-story Children's House (Børnehuset), children aged 4 to 16 can paint, draw and build free of charge every day; children must be accompanied there by adults. Creative courses and children's birthday parties can be booked. Stroller access via the automatic door on the right in the courtyard; when it is busy it gets tight, and the museum recommends carrying or small buggies. Buggy rental and stroller parking in the basement (DKK 20 deposit). Changing stations in most restrooms.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Humlebæk Strandvej/Louisiana
Kystbanen (DSB) to Humlebæk St., about 40 minutes from Københavns Hovedbanegård or 10 minutes from Helsingør; from there 10–15 minutes on foot. Bus 388 (Lyngby St.–Klampenborg–Humlebæk St.–Helsingør St.) stops directly at the museum.
By car
Free parking
Free parking at the museum and at Gl. Humlebæk Kro (a few minutes to the north), more at Humlebæk Station and Humlebæk Center (about 10 minutes on foot). Four charging stations at the end of Gl. Strandvej. Tour buses only on the paved area at Gl. Humlebæk Kro, otherwise Bakkegårdsvej. Bicycle parking at the entrance.
- Accessible parking
By car 35 km north of København or 10 km south of Helsingør via the E47/E55 motorway or the coastal road Strandvejen. Bicycle rental at Humlebæk station.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
- Coat check
- Lockers
Louisiana Café with a view over the Øresund and the Calder Terrace (lunch and dinner menu, children's menu, children under 12 pay half). Louisiana Butik with design and books. Lockable lockers in the basement by the shop (DKK 20 deposit); backpacks, large bags and umbrellas are not allowed in the exhibitions. Free phone charging lockers. Food you bring yourself only in the sculpture park and in the Søhaven.
Events & venue rental
The museum hasn’t published any information on this – please ask the museum directly.
Plan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 45 min |
|---|---|
| Audio guide | yes |
| School programs | yes |
| Photography | Photography in the exhibitions is generally allowed, without flash, tripod and selfie stick; exceptions apply in some temporary exhibitions (note the signage). |
| Good to know | Weekly free introductions to the current exhibitions (places from two hours before the start at the entrance). Private tours for up to 25 people (about 45 minutes, DKK 1,200) via booking@louisiana.dk. External guides only on weekdays from 15:00 and by arrangement. Mobile guide with stories about works in the sculpture park. Quietest time to visit on weekdays from about 14:00/15:00. |
