MUSÉE DU LOUVRE

This museum finds its origins in the 12th century when Philippe Auguste decided to build a stronghold. Francis I of France transformed it into a luxurious residence and Henri IV into a palace. When he built the Château de Versailles, Louis XIV abandoned the Louvre. The idea of opening a museum only came up during the Revolution. At the end of the 20th century, under the presidency of François Mitterrand, Pei, the architect built a trio of glass pyramids in the courtyard of the Carousel. Only a 58 470 m² piece of land out of the 160 106 m² hosts the collections! The works include Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848, but also Islamic arts and ancient civilizations especially those that influenced Western art. Eight major departments, divided into three wings – Richelieu, Denon and Sully –, serve as benchmarks: Oriental, Egyptian, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Islamic Art, sculptures, art objects, paintings and graphic arts. You should visit spontaneously, following what captures your attention. Those fleeing the Mona Lisa or The Raft of the Medusa can take a look at the furniture, which is most of the times wrongly shunned, or at the silver works. Another alternative: a tour in the footsteps of the heroes from the Da Vinci Code novel and film, in the places, in front of the artworks and around the themes at the heart of the plot... Finally, another magical place is the basement where remains of medieval bases, rediscovered during renovation works, can still be admired.

New: a free museum night on the first Saturday of the month.