The Fascinating History of the Louvre Museum
When Was the Louvre Built?
Discover how a medieval fortress became the world’s greatest art museum.
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Louvre Timeline:
Year
Event
1190
Original fortress built by King Philippe Auguste to protect Paris
1364
Converted into a royal residence by Charles V
1546
Renaissance-style palace construction begins under Francis I
1682
Louis XIV moves court to Versailles; Louvre becomes an art space
1793
Opens as public museum after French Revolution
1989
Glass Pyramid added (designed by I.M. Pei)
Fun Fact: The Louvre is over 830 years old – older than Notre Dame!
Louvre Museum Tickets & Tours
We’ve done the hard work - Find only the best 9 experiences from hundreds of them so you can choose easily.
Most Popular Tours in Paris
We’ve done the hard work - Find only the best 9 experiences from hundreds of them so you can choose easily.
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What Was the Louvre Before It Was a Museum?
Tracing the Louvre’s transformation from 12th-century fortress to modern masterpiece.
Medieval Fortress (12th–14th Century)
Built as a defensive castle with a moat (parts still visible in the basement) Original fortress walls can be seen in the Louvre’s Medieval Exhibit
Royal Palace (16th–17th Century)
Francis I demolished the fortress to build a Renaissance palace Home to kings like Henri IV and Louis XIV (who added the iconic Grand Gallery)
Birth of the Museum (18th Century+)
After Louis XIV moved to Versailles, the Louvre stored royal art collections Opened to the public in 1793 during the French Revolution
Louvre History Facts Answered!
Louvre Museum More History
Who Built the Louvre?
Philippe Auguste (Built the original fortress) Francis I (Transformed it into a palace) Louis XIV (Expanded it dramatically) Napoleon III (Added final wings) I.M. Pei (Designed the 1989 Pyramid)
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Visiting the Louvre’s Historic Sites
Medieval Louvre (Lower Level): See the original fortress walls Napoleon III’s Apartments: Lavish 19th-century royal rooms Pyramid Inverse: Upside-down pyramid in the shopping mall
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Louvre Museum Today
Receives 10 million visitors/year Covers 652,300 sq ft – Equivalent to 280 tennis courts 30% bigger than the next largest museum (State Hermitage, Russia)
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