Louvre Palace

The Louvre Palace, in Paris

The Louvre Palace is one of the most emblematic monuments of Paris, a former palace of the kings become the largest art museum of the world. The Paris audio-guided tour stops here to evoke this jewel, its famous glass pyramid and its priceless treasures.

The palace of the kings become the largest museum of the world

The Louvre Palace is one of the major monuments of Paris and a universal symbol of art. Originally a medieval fortress built by King Philip Augustus, it was transformed over the centuries into a sumptuous royal palace, enlarged and embellished by the successive sovereigns, from the Renaissance to the nineteenth century. After the departure of the kings for Versailles, the Louvre became, at the Revolution, a museum open to the public. It is today the largest art museum of the world, which keeps priceless masterpieces, including the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the Venus de Milo and the Victory of Samothrace. In the centre of its great courtyard rises the famous glass pyramid, a contemporary work inaugurated in 1989, become one of the symbols of Paris. The Louvre Palace is a must-see stop.

What to see

You admire the former palace of the kings of France, a former fortress become the largest art museum of the world, its priceless masterpieces including the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo and the Victory of Samothrace, and the famous glass pyramid of 1989 in the centre of the great courtyard. The Louvre Palace is a symbol of Paris. It is a must-see stop, to be explored on foot.

Practical information

The Louvre Palace lies in the heart of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine, reachable on foot and by public transport, including the metro. You admire its exterior and the pyramid freely; the visit of the museum follows its own hours and conditions, which vary, and the museum can be very busy. It is best to check the arrangements and to allow time before coming.

What was the Louvre Palace before being a museum?

Originally a medieval fortress built by Philip Augustus, it was transformed into a sumptuous royal palace over the centuries; after the departure of the kings for Versailles, it became a museum open to the public at the Revolution, today the largest art museum of the world.

Where is the Louvre Palace?

In the heart of Paris, on the right bank of the Seine, in France.