Musée du Louvre

The Louvre is located on the bank of the Seine River, in Paris. Originally constructed as the fortress of Philippe Auguste in 1190, Charles V oversaw the first modernisation process (r. 1364-1380) which resulted in what was to be the beginnings of one of the largest palace complexes in the world. Many additions and renovations were carried out over the next three centuries until Louis XIV, in 1674, put an end to construction at the Louvre and made Versailles the official residence of the French monarch.

In 1699, the Grande Gallerie of the Louvre was utilised for a public art exhibition. In 1765 public opinion led to the Louvre being earmarked to become a Palace of Arts and Sciences. It was not until after the Revolution in August 1793 that the Louvre museum was established by the French Republic. Today the Louvre houses more than 6000 European paintings dating from the 13th century to the19th century. Other collections include Islamic art, Oriental Antiquities, Egyptian Antiquities, and Greek Antiquities with pieces that date back as far as the seventh millenium B.C.