Le Musée de Louvre

Le Musée de Louvre

 

Le Musée de Louvre was originally built as a fortress in the late 12 century under Philip II.  It was built on the city’s western edge and the dark fortresses of the early days were transformed into the modernized dwelling of Francois I.  In 1564 Catherine de Médicis had commissioned her architect, Philibert Delorne, built a chateau.   Then it was decided to create a flamboyant royal residence by combining Louvre and the Palais des Tuileries.   Thru the next century additional wings were added.  In 1682, Louver was no longer the royal residence after King Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles.  During the Uprising of the Paris Commune in 1871, part of the Louvre was burned in 1871.   In the 1980s the Louver was remodeled to his glory by Chinese-American architect Ioeh Ming Pei. The Louver’s set contains Egyptian antiques, ancient Greek and Roman sculptures, paintings by the Old Masters and crown jewels and other artifacts from French nobles.  The displays are divided into eight parts: ear Eastern Antiques. Egyptian Antiques, Greek Etruscan and Roman Antiques, Islamic Art, Sculptures, Decorative Arts, Paintings and Prints and Drawings. The famous painting, Mono Lisa , that was painted by Leonardo Da Vinci is housed in this museum.