New research has found that the Louvre, one of the most iconic attractions in Paris, France, was the world's most visited art museum last year after welcoming nearly 8.9 million people.

According to an annual study undertaken by The Art Newspaper, the Louvre easily claimed the top spot with nearly 3 million more visitors than the second most visited art attraction.

New York's Metropolitan Museum of Art, US, welcomed 6 million people, with the British Museum, National Gallery and Tate Modern - all in London, UK - completing the top five.

The list of the top 10 most visited art attractions also included the National Gallery of Art, Washington, US; the National Palace Museum in Taipei, Taiwan; and Centre Pompidou, Paris.

It is The Art Newspaper's latest annual poll of exhibition and museum attendances, which it has been carrying out since 1996.

Details: www.theartnewspaper.com

Image: The Louvre – Losevsky Pavel/shutterstock.com