The Louvre is not an ordinary museum. It is a former royal palace, a building that grew out of a defensive fortress, and today — the most visited art museum in the world. Its history is inextricably intertwined with the history of France: from the medieval walls of Philip Augustus to the Renaissance dream of Francis I, from the departure of Louis XIV, from the conquests and collections of Napoleon to the glass pyramid of Mitterrand.
The building itself is a work of art. It has travelled the path from a military fortress to the residence of kings, and then to a public museum "dedicated to art". In 1793, during the French Revolution, the Louvre first opened its doors to the public. Today it holds about 500,000 exhibits, with about 30,000 on display, distributed across nine curatorial departments, and the museum receives almost 9 million visitors every year.
The history of the Louvre: from fortress to royal palace (1190–1682)
1190: the fortress of Philip Augustus
The history of the Louvre begins with a defensive structure. At the end of the 12th century, King Philip Augustus ordered the construction of a new fortification outside the city wall of Paris to protect the city from the threat of English soldiers from Normandy. Thus the first Louvre appeared — a military fortress organised around a central main tower, with thick defensive walls and a moat. Its defensive function ended in the second half of the 14th century, when the city grew and surrounded it. The fortress ceased to be a border and became the heart of the city.
1364: Charles V — from fortress to palace
The turning point came during the reign of Charles V. From 1364, this defensive fortress began to be transformed into a luxurious royal residence. The architect Raymond du Temple rebuilt the building, and the king with his court moved into carefully appointed chambers. From this moment the Louvre ceased to be a military instrument and became a demonstration of power.
1546: Francis I and the Renaissance palace
The next great turning point is connected with Francis I. In 1546 he began the transformation of the medieval Louvre into a Renaissance palace. Francis I was a king-humanist, a patron of the arts, the very king who invited Leonardo da Vinci to Paris. It was he who acquired the "Mona Lisa" — the painting that today is the main treasure of the museum.
By order of Francis I the medieval main tower was demolished, and in its place a new palace wing in the style of the French Renaissance rose. The architect Pierre Lescot designed the famous western facade with its characteristic windows and sculptural decorations. The Louvre began to acquire the appearance that we recognise today.
1564: Catherine de` Medici and the Tuileries Palace
In 1564 Catherine de` Medici, the widow of Henry II, began the construction of a new palace — the Tuileries — about 500 metres west of the Louvre. Later the Louvre and the Tuileries were connected by a gallery along the Seine — the Grande Galerie. It was in this gallery that in 1591 Henry IV established the "Gallery of the King", where artists and craftsmen received workshops and housing under royal protection.
1624–1682: Louis XIV and the "Old Louvre"
Louis XIII and his son Louis XIV continued the expansion. Louis XIV, the Sun King, entrusted the architect Claude Perrault (brother of the famous storyteller Charles Perrault) with creating the eastern facade of the Louvre — the famous colonnade with double Corinthian columns facing the square in front of the palace. This is one of the greatest masterpieces of French classicism.
However, in 1682 Louis XIV took a decision that changed the fate of the Louvre: he moved the court to Versailles. The Louvre was left without a king. The palace began to fall into decline. Academies and artists gradually occupied its premises, but as a royal residence the Louvre ceased to exist.
The transformation of the Louvre from palace to museum (1682–1793)
1692: Academies and artists
In 1692 Louis XIV gave the Louvre to the Academies — the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture and the Academy of Sciences. Artists and scholars received workshops and housing within the walls of the former palace. The Louvre became not a royal residence but an intellectual and artistic centre. Here the idea was born that the Louvre could be a place for art — not only for the king.
The 1750s: the first public galleries
In the middle of the 18th century, under Louis XV, the first public picture gallery was opened in the Luxembourg Palace, where the royal collections were displayed. This was a revolutionary idea: art belonging to the crown became accessible to viewers. At the same time, talks began about turning the Louvre into a museum.
1793: the revolution and the birth of the museum
The French Revolution accelerated everything. On 10 August 1792 the royal power was overthrown, and the royal collections were confiscated. On 10 August 1793, on the first anniversary of the fall of the monarchy, the Louvre was officially opened as a museum — the Museum of Central Arts. The royal palace became public property.
Initially the museum occupied the Grande Galerie, where the royal paintings were displayed. But the revolutionary wars and Napoleonic conquests brought countless treasures from all over Europe to the Louvre. Napoleon called the Louvre "Musée Napoléon" and dreamed of turning it into a universal museum of world art.
The modern history of the Louvre: from the revolution to the pyramid (1793–1989)
The 19th century: expansion and the "Grand Louvre"
In the 19th century the Louvre continued to expand. Under Napoleon I and Napoleon III new wings were completed, and the Louvre and the Tuileries were connected. In 1871 the Tuileries burned down during the Paris Commune and was demolished, but the Louvre survived.
By the end of the 19th century the Louvre had become one of the largest museums in the world. Its collections covered ancient civilisations, European painting, sculpture and decorative art. The museum became a symbol of French culture and national pride.
The 20th century: reorganisation and new departments
In the 20th century the Louvre underwent several major reorganisations. In 1983 President François Mitterrand announced the "Grand Louvre" project — a grand reconstruction that was to modernise the museum, expand the space and make it more convenient for visitors.
1989: the pyramid of I. M. Pei
The culmination of the "Grand Louvre" project was the opening in 1989 of the glass pyramid, designed by the American architect of Chinese origin I. M. Pei. The pyramid became the new main entrance to the museum and one of the most recognisable symbols of Paris — alongside the Eiffel Tower.
The pyramid provoked heated debate: critics called it a "pharaonic" intrusion into classical architecture. But over time it became an integral part of the Louvre. Beneath the pyramid is a spacious underground lobby, from which visitors enter the three main wings of the museum: Richelieu, Denon and Sully.
The main treasures of the Louvre: what not to miss
The Mona Lisa (La Joconde)
The most famous painting in the world. Leonardo da Vinci painted it around 1503–1519. Francis I acquired it from Leonardo, and since then it has remained in the Louvre — except for a brief period when Napoleon took it to his bedroom. Today it hangs in a separate room, protected by bulletproof glass, and is always surrounded by a crowd.
The Venus de Milo
An ancient Greek statue of Aphrodite, created around 130–100 BC. Found in 1820 on the island of Milos. Its arms are lost, but this is precisely what makes its image even more mysterious and perfect. The Venus de Milo is one of the most recognisable sculptures in the world.
The Winged Victory of Samothrace
A statue of the winged goddess of victory, created around 190 BC. Found in 1863 on the island of Samothrace. She stands on the prow of a ship, her wings spread, and her garments blowing in the wind. This is one of the greatest masterpieces of Hellenistic sculpture.
Liberty Leading the People
A painting by Eugène Delacroix, painted in 1830. It depicts the revolution of 1830 and became a symbol of the French struggle for freedom. The woman with the French flag is Marianne, the symbol of France.
The coronation regalia and the Apollo Gallery
The Apollo Gallery is the most luxurious room of the Louvre. Here are kept the coronation regalia of the French kings, including the crown of Louis XV and the famous Regent Diamond. The ceiling of the gallery was painted by Charles Le Brun in honour of Louis XIV.
The Egyptian department
One of the largest Egyptian departments in the world. Sphinxes, sarcophagi, mummies, papyri, statues of pharaohs. Here you can trace the entire history of Ancient Egypt — from the early dynasties to the Roman period.
The Ancient Near East
The Code of Hammurabi — one of the oldest law codes in history, created around 1750 BC. The winged bulls from the palace of Sargon II in Khorsabad. These exhibits tell of the civilisations of Mesopotamia, Assyria and Babylon.
The layout of the Louvre: how to find your way
The Louvre consists of three main wings:
• Richelieu — the northern wing, where the collections of the ancient East, French painting and decorative art are located;
• Denon — the southern wing, where Italian painting (including the Mona Lisa), ancient Greek sculpture and the Egyptian department are located;
• Sully — the eastern wing, where French painting, antiquities and the history of the Louvre itself are located.
The pyramid and the underground lobby
The main entrance is through the glass pyramid. Beneath it is an underground lobby, from which you can reach any of the three wings. Here too are located the ticket offices, the cloakroom, shops and cafes.
Levels and rooms
The museum is organised on a chronological and geographical principle. The main zones:
• Ancient Egypt — sarcophagi, mummies, sphinxes;
• Ancient Greece and Rome — the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace;
• The Ancient Near East — the Code of Hammurabi, Assyrian reliefs;
• Italian painting — the Mona Lisa, Leonardo, Raphael, Titian;
• French painting — Delacroix, David, Ingres;
• Decorative art — coronation regalia, furniture, jewellery.
Routes
If you have little time, start with the Mona Lisa, then move on to the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. If you have half a day — add the Egyptian department, the Code of Hammurabi and French painting. A full circuit may take several days.
Practical information
• Daily from 9:00 to 18:00. On Wednesdays and Fridays — until 21:45. The museum is closed on Tuesdays, 1 January, 1 May and 25 December.
• Admission is paid. Tickets can be bought online or on the spot. Online tickets with a fixed time help to avoid queues. Children under 18 — free. EU citizens under 26 — free.
• Queues: in peak season the queues can be long. Come at opening time or choose the evening hours.
• Time: allow at least 3 hours to see the main galleries. A full circuit may take a whole day.
• Food: there are cafes and restaurants in the Louvre. You can leave and return on the same day.
• Photos: permitted, but without flash. Tripods and selfie sticks are prohibited.
The Louvre is not just a museum but the very history of France. It has travelled the path from the medieval fortress of Philip Augustus to the royal residence of Francis I and Louis XIV, survived the revolution, became the country`s first public museum and found new breath in the glass pyramid of I. M. Pei. Today about 500,000 exhibits are kept within its walls, but the main treasure of the Louvre is itself: a building that has witnessed eight centuries of French history and has turned from a symbol of royal power into a symbol of universal access to art.
