LouvreVisitor Guide — Paris

The Louvre, or the Louvre Museum, operates as a prominent national art museum in Paris, France. Originally constructed as a medieval fortress under Philip II in the late twelfth century, the massive complex was gradually converted into a royal palace by successive French kings. It officially opened to the public as a museum on August 10, 1793, during the French Revolution, initially exhibiting a modest collection of 537 paintings. Today, the institution boasts an encyclopedic collection that spans thousands of years, encompassing ancient civilizations, classical antiquity, and Western art up to the mid-nineteenth century. Its extensive holdings include renowned masterpieces such as Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the ancient Greek statue Venus de Milo, and the monumental Winged Victory of Samothrace. The museum's architecture is equally notable, seamlessly blending the historic French Renaissance palace structures with the striking modern Glass Pyramid designed by I. M. Pei, which was added to the main courtyard in 1989 and now serves as the primary entrance. Visitors can explore tens of thousands of works displayed across eight curatorial departments. The museum is generally open from 09:00 to 18:00, though guests should verify current ticket rates directly through the official website,.