| The Louvre is one of the largest palaces in the | | | | paintings & paintings from the Northern school |
| world and, as a former residence of the kings of | | | | including Rubens. |
| France, also being one of the most illustrious one | | | | The Louvre palace in Paris dates back to 1190 |
| in Paris. It epitomizes traditional French | | | | and houses the Louvre museum. Its name has |
| architecture since the Renaissance, and it houses | | | | been taken from the Latin word Lupara (kennels). |
| a magnificent collection of ancient and Western | | | | During eight centuries, it has been constantly |
| art. | | | | enlarged and blown up by French kings and |
| The vast Palais Le Louvre was constructed | | | | emperors alike. President François Mitterrand |
| around 1200 as a fortress and rebuilt in the mid | | | | added the final touch to it with his "Le Grand |
| 16th century for use as a royal palace. It became | | | | Louvre" project. The project from1981 to 1997 |
| a public in 1793. The museum presents the main | | | | includes an extension and the complete |
| part of its treasures to visitors, in the new | | | | reformation of the museum. The famous Pei |
| Richelieu wing, Islamic art collections, oriental | | | | glass pyramid marks the new entrance to the |
| antiques, French sculptures, objects d'art, French | | | | museum. |