Consider the Louvre without its Pyramid, its underground retail complex, and its Richelieu wing, which the Ministry of Finance owned at the time. Napoleon III's architect, Hector Lefuel, created two small parks and a parking lot in the 19th century for the Cour Napoléon, where the Pyramid currently sits.
The Louvre in the 1980s was not at all like the museum it is now. As the number of visitors increased and the museum became less equipped to handle them, the Grand Louvre project sought to modernize and enlarge the space.
The Grand Louvre project was commissioned by French President François Mitterrand in 1981, and I.M. Pei, who had previously created additions for the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston and the National Gallery of Art in Washington, was named architect for the project in July 1983. Pei proposed a central subterranean lobby that would change the way visitors move through the Louvre by providing direct access to its three wings.
A unique shape—a pyramid—was to serve as its imposing entryway. The underground collection storerooms, the ticket office, the auditorium, the cafés, the bookshops, and even a shopping centre with an underground connection to the closest metro station were all designed by Pei, along with the new exhibition spaces in the Richelieu wing.
The pyramid's design is highly symbolic. It’s constructed from 35 glass panes on each of its four sides, forming a perfect square pyramid. The pyramid’s geometric shape represents both stability and balance. It also alludes to the concept of perfection in classical architecture, connecting it to the classical ideals of harmony and proportion that the Louvre Museum’s collection emphasizes. Le Nôtre was the main source of inspiration for the design of the Pyramid.
The pyramid itself stands about 35.4 meters (115 feet) tall and each of its sides measures 35.4 meters in length. Beneath it is a large subterranean space that serves as the museum’s main lobby. During the construction, teams came upon an abandoned set of rooms containing 25,000 historical items; these were incorporated into the rest of the structure to add a new exhibition zone. Interestingly, there are smaller pyramids surrounding the main one. Four smaller pyramids are located around the central structure in the Cour Napoléon courtyard, adding to the pyramid motif while enhancing the aesthetic and functional aspects of the design.
When the pyramid was first unveiled, it sparked significant controversy, especially due to its modern design juxtaposed against the classical and Renaissance-style architecture of the Louvre’s historic buildings. Many critics felt it was out of place, while others praised its boldness.
Over time, however, the pyramid has become a beloved landmark and an integral part of the museum's identity, attracting millions of visitors annually.
The Hall of the Pyramid is an expansive, open-plan area that serves as the heart of the Louvre Museum. Visitors can find maps, ticket counters, and information desks here. The central location makes it easy to navigate to the different wings of the museum, such as the Denon, Sully, and Richelieu wings.
I.M. Pei wanted the Pyramid’s glass sides to be absolutely transparent so that the Louvre Palace’s historical facades could be admired from both inside and outside the Pyramid, in the Cour Napoléon.
It has always been a challenge for landscape architects that, because of the bend in the Seine, the Louvre and the Tuileries Garden are not quite aligned, despite all the architectural solutions developed through the centuries.
A popular theory (especially from "The Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown) is that the pyramid’s glass panels correspond to the Sacred Geometry of numbers.
The Louvre Pyramid has been featured in numerous films, TV shows, and books, most famously in Dan Brown’s "The Da Vinci Code".
Ieoh Ming Pei, commonly known as I. M. Pei, was a Chinese-American architect widely regarded as one of the most influential architects of the 20th century. He was known for his innovative and modernist designs that blended tradition with new materials and forms, helping to redefine the landscape of contemporary architecture. His work is characterized by geometric shapes, clean lines, and a deep understanding of the relationship between space, light, and context.
Pei’s work spanned a wide variety of building types, including museums, cultural centers, libraries, and corporate headquarters. His style is often categorized as Modernism, though he was not strictly tied to one movement. He skillfully balanced bold, geometric designs with a sensitivity to the environment and context of each building. Some of his famous works other than the Louvre Pyramid are the John F. Kennedy Library, the East Building of the National Gallery of Art, The Bank of China Tower, and many more.
The pyramid was built to serve as the main entrance to the Louvre Museum, providing better access and more space for visitors.
While the pyramid itself is the main entrance to the Louvre, there are hidden entrances for museum staff and VIP visitors, located under the surrounding area. However, for general visitors, the pyramid serves as the primary access point.
The construction of the Louvre Pyramid began in 1984 and was completed in 1989. The entire renovation project including the pyramid took about 5 years to complete.
Beneath the pyramid is a large underground lobby area that houses the museum’s main entrance, ticket counters, information desks, and the Louvre’s largest hall, known as the Hall Napoléon.
The pyramid is made of 35 glass panels on each of its four sides, for a total of 140 glass panels.
When the Louvre Pyramid was proposed, many Parisians and critics thought it was an eyesore, arguing that the modern design was out of place in front of the historic Louvre Palace.
