Overview of the Louvre
overview of the Louvre

Discover the Louvre

From its beginnings as a royal fortress to the public institution we see today, discover the Musée du Louvre: its role, its aims, and the expertise of the people who make it work.

History of the Louvre
The Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city’s western edge, the original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Here we explore the history of this extraordinary edifice and of the museum that has occupied it since 1793.


The 5 main periods in the history of the Louvre
History of the Louvre - Period 1: Middle Age History of the Louvre - Period 2: From the Louvre to the Tuileries History of the Louvre - Period 3: Classical Period History of the Louvre - Period 4: From Palace to Museum History of the Louvre - Period 5: The Grand Museum
The Middle Age period From the Louvre to the Tuileries The Classical period From Palace to Museum The Grand Louvre today