Explore the Grand Louvre Palace and 800 Years of its History

The Louvre as a Fortress (12th to 16th centuries)

The history of the Louvre begins in the late 12th century when it was built as a fortress by King Philip II Augustus (1165–1223). The original structure was designed to defend Paris from Viking invasions along the Seine River. The remains of the medieval fortress can still be seen in the basement of the museum today. Charles V commissioned the fortress to be turned into a castle between 1364 and 1380. In the following years, the monarchs of France chose to live in other palaces like the Chateaus of the Loire Valley instead of the Louvre. This led to the demolition of the castle by Francis I during the 14th century.

Transformation into a Royal Palace (16th century)

By the late 16th century, during the reign of King Francis I (r. 1515–1547), the Louvre was transformed from a fortress into a royal residence. Francis I, an avid art collector and patron, invited artists like Leonardo da Vinci to court, marking the start of the Louvre’s association with art. It was under his rule that the first art collections began to take shape in the Louvre.

Louis XIII, Henry II's successor, made some additions to the palace, while Catherine de Medici, his widow, suggested the construction of a new palace called the Tuileries Palace. She also designed a garden outside the palace for her personal use. Following this, King Henry IV built a Grande Galerie in 1610 that connected the Louvre Palace to the Tuileries Palace.

The Louvre as a Museum (18th–19th centuries)

The turning point in the Louvre’s history came during the French Revolution. After the monarchy was overthrown, the Louvre was transformed into a public museum. In 1793, during the revolution, the Musée du Louvre officially opened to the public under the National Assembly. The museum’s early collections were based on works of art seized from royal collections and aristocratic estates.

Under Napoleon Bonaparte (r. 1804–1814), the Louvre's collection expanded greatly, as he looted art from across Europe, particularly after his military campaigns. The museum was renamed the Musée Napoléon in 1803, and many artworks, such as the Venus de Milo and the Winged Victory of Samothrace, were brought to Paris during this period. In 1815, Napoleon I added a new gallery to the north of the palace. Napoleon III continued his work and added two new wings, which marked the completion of the magnificent Louvre Palace. Towards the end of the 18th century in 1871, a fire destroyed the Tuileries Palace. The remains of the palace were completely removed in 1883.

Post-Napoleon and Expansion (19th century)

Untouched by the fire, construction of the Louvre Palace continued. After Napoleon's fall, the Louvre's collection was returned to its rightful owners, but the museum continued to grow. In the early 19th century, King Louis-Philippe (r. 1830–1848) made the Louvre even more accessible to the public and created the Musée de la Monarchie in the former royal apartments. The museum expanded further with the construction of the Cour Carrée and the Grand Louvre.

Modernization and the Glass Pyramid (20th century)

The Louvre underwent significant changes in the 20th century, especially after it became part of the public domain in the post-World War II era. The most iconic addition to the Louvre in modern times was the Glass Pyramid, designed by architect Ieoh Ming Pei (I. M. Pei). The pyramid was inaugurated in 1989 and serves as the main entrance to the museum. It became a symbol of the Louvre’s modernization, providing a contemporary contrast to classical architecture.