The Louvre, in its successive architectural metamorphoses, has dominated central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city's western edge, the original structure was gradually engulfed as the city grew. The dark fortress of the early days was transformed into the modernised dwelling of François I and, later, the sumptuous palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV. The museum that has occupied the Louvre since 1793.

The Musée du Louvre houses 35,000 works of art drawn from eight departments, displayed in over 60,000 square meters of exhibition space dedicated to the permanent collections.

Each season, the Louvre features a series of temporary exhibitions, each the result of the latest expert research. Some of these shows are more suitable for the general public, but in their conception they act as echoes, versions and counterpoints to the museum's collections.

The Louvre offers a range of cultural and educational activities, including guided tours, workshops, and classes. A selection of thematic trails in the galleries and a changing quarterly calendar help visitors discover, or rediscover, the collections of the Louvre.

view the official website for the Louvre Museum.