Standing as the world's largest art museum, the Louvre in Paris is housed in a magnificent former royal palace that traces its origins to the 12th-century fortress of Philip II. This iconic institution welcomes millions annually to explore its 72,735 square meters of galleries containing over 38,000 objects spanning from antiquity to the 19th century.
The museum's three main wings - Richelieu, Sully, and Denon - showcase humanity's artistic achievements across civilizations. Visitors encounter legendary masterpieces like the Mona Lisa (Leonardo da Vinci), the Venus de Milo, and Liberty Leading the People (Delacroix) alongside Mesopotamian artifacts, Egyptian mummies, and Renaissance sculptures. The glass Pyramid entrance, designed by I.M. Pei in 1989, provides a striking modern counterpoint to the palace's classical architecture.
Beyond its famous paintings, the Louvre contains remarkable architectural spaces including the Marly Court with its monumental French sculptures and the Napoleon III Apartments showcasing Second Empire opulence. The medieval moat foundations of the original fortress remain visible in the basement, while the Islamic Art galleries display exquisite metalwork and textiles under a undulating golden roof.
As both a historic monument and living museum, the Louvre continues evolving with new exhibition spaces like the Petite Galerie for educational displays and evening openings that allow visitors to admire artworks in atmospheric lighting. Its universal collections - from Etruscan jewelry to Dutch Golden Age paintings - tell the story of human creativity across time and continents.
