[img_assist|nid=41032|title=|desc=|link=none|align=center|width=425|height=282]
From its beginnings as a royal fortress to the public institution we see today, discover the Musée du Louvre: its role, its aims, and the expertise of the people who make it work.
The History of the Louvre: From Château to Museum
The Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city's western edge, the original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernized dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. Here we explore the history of this extraordinary edifice and of the museum that has occupied it since 1793
From Royal Retreat to Public Park
The Tuileries and Carrousel gardens form a pleasant, leafy setting for the Louvre palace. A delight at any season of the year, they provide the perfect place for a relaxing stroll and offer a range of activities for visitors of all ages
The Carrousel and Tuileries Gardens
The Tuileries are the largest and oldest public park in Paris. Their official incorporation into the Musée du Louvre on January 1, 2005, reestablished the historic coherence of the vast royal palace and its grounds. The gardens were an integral part of the palatial scheme created by the kings of France. With their landscaping, vistas, and sculptures, they provide the perfect complement to the buildings. The preservation of this exceptional historic monument and the interlinking of the Tuileries and Carrousel gardens have made it possible to bring a major art form—that of landscape design—into the Louvre.
History of the Gardens
An integral part of the history of the Louvre palace and museum, the Carrousel and Tuileries gardens have enjoyed a colorful life of their own, as private royal retreats, public parks, and even kitchen gardens. Explore the history of these gardens by selecting a major period from the timeline or from the menu on the right
Lodging
See htelisting of the Hotels near the Louvre
Practical Informations
Entrances
place de la Concorde
rue de Rivoli
quai des Tuileries
avenue du Général Lemonnier
passerelle Solférino
Métro, buses
Métro: lines 1, 7, 8, 12, and 14
Bus: lines 21, 24, 27, 39, 42, 48, 68, 69, 72, 73, 81, 84, 94, 95, and Balabus
Opening hours
Winter: 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Summer: 7 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Postal address
Musée du Louvre
75058 Paris cedex 01