Le Louvre
The Louvre Museum has more than 6,000 European paintings and and was
originally designed as the king palace. It has been influenced by major
events in French history and has had many architects and decorators
make changes and additions to the original structure. When the Musee
d'Orsay was created in 1986, most of the post 1848 works left the Louvre
and were transferred to the new Musuem which is close by.
The Louvre was built on the site of a medieval fortress on the banks of the Seine river. It served as the official residence of the French Kings during the 16th and 17th centuries before the court moved to Versailles in 1682. It officially became a "Peoples Museum" in 1793 after the Revolution, and is now one of the most important museums in the world.
Its collection, which ranges from Egyptian art of 5000 BC to nineteenth-century work, is divided into seven departments: Oriental and Islamic Antiquities; Egyptian Antiquities; Greek, Roman and Etruscan Antiquities; Painting; Sculpture; Decorative Arts; and Graphic Arts.
Throughout the 17th century, as France assumed a dominant role in Europe,
the Louvre's holdings increased dramatically. Particularly important
acquisitions during this period were major works by the great Dutch
and Flemish masters. In the 18th century the annual salon exhibitions
were established. The first state museum was opened in the Louvre in
1793. The central position held by the Louvre in artistic life was magnified
by Napoleon I, who began its Egyptian collection. The overall museum
complex was completed under Napoleon III (r. 1852-70). Subsequently,
the Louvre expanded its collections greatly through gifts and bequests.
Its departments now include Oriental, Greek and Roman, and Egyptian
antiquities; sculpture from the Middle Ages to modern times; furniture
and objets d'art; and European paintings and drawings.
In the late 1980's during the construction of I.M. Pei's pyramids, the original Medieval fortress base was unearthed, quickly incorporated into the design, and is now on display as part of the museum's collection.
The relaxing Tuileries garden near by the Louvre museum is one of the most beautiful parks in Paris. Altogether a first class combination well worth a full day of your time.
Address
Palais du Louvre Paris 1er
How to get there
Metro line 1 : Palais Royal / Musee du Louvre
Bus: 21, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95
Informations, hours, entrance fees & acces map
www.louvre.fr
lwww.lecarrouseldulouvre.com
Hotel near the Louvre
Hotel
Dechampaigne Paris Marais
Hotel
Louvre Marsollier Paris Opera
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