28th May 2014
The Louvre Museum in Paris is probably the most visited museum in the world. Built in the 12th century as a fortress, it was extended many times to become the Louvre Palace. However in the 16th century the King chose to live at the Versailles Palace thus leaving the Louvre to become a museum. After the French Revolution it was officially designated to remain a museum until today.
It took a short walk along the banks of the Seine from the Ponte delle Artes to reach the Louvre. We had been to Paris at least 4 times if my memory is correct had actually gone into the museum twice. We were not so keen to queue with the hundreds of tourists just to have a peek at Leonardo's Mona Lisa again. And honestly one needs a whole week to slowly go through this monstrous museum in order to appreciate and enjoy its exhibitions. We were happy to just view the beauty of this old building and its environment.
the wall of the Louvre facing the Seine
the arch allowing traffic through to the courtyard in front of the Louvre
the Pyramid - a glass structure by Chinese-American architect, I M Pei,
is a modern addition in the central courtyard
which is now the atrium for entrance into the museum
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