The Louvre museum

It is the largest museum in France and is rightly famous for it. But first it is the symbol of the state. The Louvre is composed of several parts that correspond to the stages of its construction: the Court Square, the Cour Napoleon, the Colonnade, the Pavillon de Flore, the Gallery of the waterfront, the Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel and the Pyramid.

In 1190, the King Philip Augustus had built a fortress outside the city walls he wanted to establish on the right bank to protect himself from Henry Plantagenet. He built a square courtyard in the center of which was erected a strong tower, the Great Tower. It remains the symbol of royal power even after its destruction in 1528. This is understandable when we know that the walls of the dungeon were 4 meters thick, over 30 meters high. For two centuries the Louvre (whose name comes from the kennel at Wolf) kept a protective role in the kingdom, but also kept treasures and archives, and even prisoners.

The Louvre under Charles V change destination: the city spreads around the fortress. Charles V took the opportunity to expand and transform it into a royal residence. The Louvre is taking a different face, more functional and less closed. When Francis the First came to the throne he decided to destroy the old Louvre. Only the Great Tower is demolished. But on the eve of his death, he asks Pierre Lescot to renew the old buildings. During 30 years Lescot continues the work under Henri IV. Under Louis XIV, the Gallery is transformed to royal apartments but it is not only the apartments of the king and queen but also a way for the King to escape out the walls of Charles V in case invasion.

The succession of these structures is very sensitive to the uninitiated as the global harmony was sought. Moreover, the Louvre is primarily of interest to collect rich and varied collections that are quite remarkable: the Greek, Egyptian and Oriental collections of Italian and French paintings.

It is here that, among other things, the Mona Lisa, the statue of the Seated Scribe (-2500 ac) and numerous pieces found throughout the world and recorded the destruction of buildings in Paris.

Visits with hearing aid are possible, nonetheless noted that it takes 3 months if you want to stop at each work one minute....