It is one of the most visited museums in the world, and the Louvre in Paris is thanking US singers Beyoncé and Jay-Z.

It says 10.2 million visitors crossed its doors in 2018, in part thanks to the couple who filmed a music video there.

The 'Apes**t' video, which features several expletives, has been viewed over 149 million times.

It features shots of famous rooms and pieces inside the museum, including the couple standing in front of the Mona Lisa.

Beyoncé and Jay-Z in front of the Mona Lisa portrait in the video | Image: YouTube/Beyoncé

The museum said: "Interest in the Louvre was bolstered by the Louvre Abu Dhabi (which recently celebrated its first anniversary), and by Beyoncé and Jay-Z's 'Apes**t' video, with its tribute to some of the museum's greatest artworks."

Last year saw a significant rise in the number of foreign visitors - mostly from the United States, China, European Union countries and Brazil.

A far away shot shows the couple surrounded by works | Image: YouTube/Beyoncé

These groups make up almost three-quarters of total visitor numbers - which rose by 25% compared 2017.

The Louvre also continues to be popular with the French public, drawing in over 2.5 million French visitors.

While more than half its visitors are under 30-years-old, and almost one-fifth are under 18.

The couple are pictured in several parts of the museum | Image: YouTube/Beyoncé

The Louvre's previous record of 9.7 million visitors dates from 2012, the year that saw the inauguration of the Department of Islamic Art and the presentation of exhibitions on Leonardo da Vinci and Raphael.

The final video, below, contains several curse words which some people may find offence.