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Louvre: Le Louvre
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The Louvre was built in several stages. It was first built in the sixteenth century when the Royal family started to move near the fortress of the Louvre. The original keep was then destroyed and it was replaced by a palace. The main architect was Pierre Lescot, who was appointed in 1546 by the king. The immense building had 2 courtyards and was 2 stories high. Its architecture combines French and Italian features.
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The Louvre was originally built in the 12th century as a royal castle to help defend Paris against Viking attacks. It went through many metamorphoses until it was finally opened as a museum of art in 1793. The complex of buildings was turned over entirely to art and culture in 1882, when the Tuileries was demolished. The Louvre became one of the world's largest and most popular art galleries and museums, housing masterpieces like Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Whistler's Mother.
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T[H]e Louvre was still being added to by Napoleon III. The new wing of 1852 - 1857, by archiects Visconti and Hector Lefuel, represent the Second Empire's version of Neo-Baroque, restlessly charged with detail everywhere and laden with sculpture. Works continued until 1876.
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Choose a day and a time when the Louvre is least likely to have long lines. Mornings early in the week (the museum opens at 9 a.m.) work best (although you should keep in mind it is closed Tuesdays). Even though you can get in free on this day, avoid the museum like the plague on the first Sunday of each month. The lines can wind around the exterior buildings.
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The Louvre was still being added to by Napoleon III. The new wing of 1852 – 1857, by architects Visconti and Hector Lefuel, represents the Second Empire's version of Neo-baroque, full of detail and laden with sculpture. Work continued until 1876.
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The first royal "Castle of the Louvre" was founded in what was then the western edge of Paris by Philip Augustus in 1190, as a fortified royal palace to defend Paris on its west against Plantagenêt attacks. The first building in the existing Louvre was begun in 1535, after demolition of the old Castle. The architect Pierre Lescot introduced to Paris the new design vocabulary of the Renaissance, which had been developed in the châteaux of the Loire.
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