Le Louvre 1
About the Louvre Museum
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre
 It is the
biggest
museum in
the world
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - History
 Originally built as a
castle by King
Phillippe Augustus
in 1200 outside the
city wall of Paris.
 This is part of the
wall, rediscovered
when the underground gallery was
dug out.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - L’enceinte
 Recent excavations
discovered the
original walls of
Phillippe Augustus’
castle.
 They are very thick.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - History
 King François 1
rebuilt the Louvre
as a palace in the
16th century
 It became the
residence of the
French monarchs.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - Napoleon
 Napoleon restored the
Louvre after the
Revolution.
 It housed a museum
at this time.
 The Arc de Triomphe
du Carousel built in
1806 celebrates
Napoleon’s victories.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - Pyramid
 Le Louvre wished to
remain the biggest
museum in the world
 It was excavated
underground and new
galleries were added.
 These are covered by
modern pyramids.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - Entrance
 The entrance to
the Museum is
through the
largest pyramid.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - Inside
 Inside, under the
pyramid.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - The upside down pyramid
 The upside down pyramid is a
favourite meeting place.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - Underground
 Below ground,
there are shops,
cafés and
restaurants.
 Go to Paris 8 to
see the treasures
of the Louvre.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007
Le Louvre - Les Cours 2
 Some
courtyards are
roofed so that
big artworks
may be
displayed
without
damage.
(c) Patricia Barry 2007