Home to the Mona Lisa and more than 8 million visitors a year, The Louvre is an undisputed Parisian icon. Not only is The Louvre the world’s largest museum, it’s also one of the most recognised historic monuments on the planet. It houses more than 35,000 objects, ranging from Egyptian antiquities and da Vinci originals to 21st century masterpieces.
Staying in its vicinity offers visitors a quintessential experience in the coveted 1st Arrondissement. As well as the museum itself, the areas around The Louvre offer plenty of allure. It’s adjacent to the Tuileries Gardens, which house Catherine de' Medici’s contemporary art exhibition space, Galerienationale du Jeu de Paum. Art buffs should also pay a visit to the Orangerie, which showcases Monet’s famous Water Lilies paintings.
As a central landmark, The Louvre is located on the Right Bank of the Seine. Access by public transport is easy, with both the Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre and Louvre-Rivoli metro stations close by. Several public bus lines stop in front of the pyramid, while limited underground parking is available for those arriving by car.
While The Louvre’s iconic glass pyramid is a modern creation, the majority of the museum is housed in the Louvre Palace. Built in the late 12th century, it served as a fortress during the reign of Philip II. The museum has been welcoming visitors since 1793, though it wasn’t until 1989 that the iconic glass pyramid designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei put The Louvre on the architectural map.