Louvre Museum (Paris, France): photos and reviews of tourists

The Louvre Museum is the greatest collection of priceless works of art. By the size and significance of the exhibits, it competes only with several not less famous collections of rarities: the Hermitage, the British and Cairo museums. The Louvre in Paris is one of the most visited sights. Like the Eiffel Tower, this museum is a symbol of the capital of France.

A look into the past

The Louvre Museum has a long and interesting history. Those who were fond of the novels of Alexandre Dumas, know that in them he is constantly mentioned, but as a palace. Indeed, for many years the Louvre was the residence of French kings.

It was founded in the 12th century in the lower Seine as part of a defensive fortification against the raids of enemies during the reign of King Philip Augustus. Later, when the threat of an attack on the city from this side passed, the Louvre, a photo of which can be seen below, was used as a royal palace. Remains of ancient walls can still be seen in the museum.

In the XVI century, a large-scale reconstruction of the old fortress began. Two wings were attached to it, and then it was connected with the Tuileries palace. Over the next hundred years, the Louvre area has quadrupled. In 1871 during the revolutionary events the palace of the Tuileries was burnt by the insurgent Parisians. The remaining pavilions are now part of the museum complex.

At the end of the XVII century, Louis XIV suddenly lost interest in the palace and decided to build for himself a new magnificent country residence - Versailles. The Louvre is actually abandoned, and from this moment there are proposals to turn it into a museum. For now, administrative offices and artists' studios were located in it. For the museum collection it was suggested to use the Great Gallery, previously erecting a glazed ceiling in it for good lighting of the exhibits.

Stunning Louvre - France received its long-awaited museum

When King Louis XV of France was drafted to transform the Louvre and the founding of a museum in it. For the first time its doors opened to visitors in 1793, during the Great French Revolution. Simple Parisians were able to see the richest collections of art objects of their rulers.

After the coming to power of Napoleon Bonaparte in the old residence of the French kings, the construction work again became more active - the construction of the northern wing of the museum began.

The Louvre Museum is largely due to its appearance to the first emperor of France - Napoleon Bonaparte.

A brilliant politician, he understood the value of art and how it can influence the masses. During the reign of Napoleon, the Louvre Museum bore his name. Hiking in Egypt and the East made it possible to create a magnificent collection of art objects from these regions of the world. The triumphal march of the armies of the French Emperor in Europe was accompanied by the plundering of the cultural values of the defeated countries. Selected works of art supplemented the collection of the Louvre. After the rout at Waterloo, France had to return some of the items.

After the events of the Paris Commune, the Louvre (a photo of the museum can be seen below) acquires the features familiar to all.

The administrative premises, which were in the Louvre, were gradually ousted from it. By 1980, the museum had at its disposal a whole huge complex of buildings. At the same time, the last to date process of reconstruction of the territory began.

Pyramid - adored or unloved?

The Louvre Museum in Paris has always been famous for its non-standard approach and innovative ideas. In 1985, work began on the construction of a new main entrance to the building. They were led by the architect Yo Ming Pei, which, according to the project, visitors had to enter the Louvre through a huge glass pyramid located in the courtyard of Napoleon. Three small pyramids, located side by side, serve as illuminators.

At first the project was met with hostility by Parisians and was sharply criticized. After the construction of the pyramid was completed, it turned out that it unexpectedly organically merged into the museum complex and gave it a finished, elegant, but at the same time avant-garde look.

The prototype of the structure (the Cheops pyramid) and the choice of its installation in the courtyard of Napoleon are symbolic - the first French emperor did much to make the Louvre a museum of world significance, and his trophies brought from Egypt became the basis for one of the best collections.

Now the famous pyramid of the Louvre has become another symbol of France, and disputes about its relevance have not abated so far. Someone believes that she insults the museum with her avant-garde and unusual, but many French people liked the combination of the new and the old. The opinion of tourists is unequivocal - the pyramid makes them delight. Since its inception, the annual number of visitors to the Louvre has increased several times.

The basis of the museum's collection

Many French rulers were great connoisseurs and connoisseurs of art. They collected magnificent collections of paintings and statues. It is, first of all, Francis I, who was fond of the culture of the Renaissance and surrounded himself with scientists and artists. At his request, Leonardo da Vinci came to France, who became a close friend of the ruler. Many famous artists of the Renaissance created paintings on his orders. Italian canvases, especially the "La Gioconda" da Vinci, were included in the Louvre collection thanks to Francis I. Some of the exhibits were paintings of famous masters, purchased by Louis XIV.

A huge number of valuable items the museum received during the conquest wars Napoleonic France. It's about the Egyptian collection.

Now there are about 300 thousand art objects in the Louvre. Of these, approximately 35,000 visitors are available. Many exhibits can only be stored in special storage facilities and can be viewed for a short period. Therefore, the Louvre often arranges special exhibitions, which feature rare art objects that are not available for permanent viewing. Reviews of tourists about them are always the most enthusiastic.

Exhibits: a collection of world masterpieces

To bypass all the halls of the Louvre when visiting the museum is physically impossible. A leisurely inspection of his exhibits takes several days. If they are not available, you can advance the route in advance in order to have time to see at least the most famous art objects stored in it:

1. "Mona Lisa" is a masterpiece of the work of Leonardo da Vinci. This is a picture that hides more than one secret. For those who see it for the first time, the surprise is the small size of the canvas.

2. Sculptures of the Louvre - a real treasury of masters of antiquity. But among them there is an unrivaled masterpiece - Venus de Milo. It was found in 1820 on the Turkish island of Milos (hence its name) and was hardly transported to France. The Turkish government later regretted that it allowed the statue to be bought back.

3. Nike Samothrace is another example of the unsurpassed skill of ancient Greek sculptors. Like Venus de Milo, the statue is badly damaged, but even in this form it strikes visitors to the museum with its beauty.

4. The famous painting of Jacques Louis David - the favorite artist of the first emperor of France - "The Coronation of Napoleon" is worth it to devote her time. The picturesque canvas is large and striking in its scale.

Where is the museum located

It is located in the heart of Paris, in its historical part. Rivoli Street on the right bank of the Seine - there is a huge museum complex.

How to get into it

To visit France and not to see the Louvre is an unforgivable mistake for a cultural person. This museum is one of the most important tourist places. This means large queues in which you can lose several hours. They are caused by strict security measures: checking bags by guard, frame-metal detectors. Tickets to the Louvre can be bought at the ticket office of the museum or in advance. The second option is much more convenient, because it allows you to pass without waiting. Tickets purchased in advance have an unlimited period of validity, which allows you to choose for visiting the museum any convenient day. For those who are under 18 years old, admission is free.

The famous museum in cinema and literature

The Louvre has such a great cultural significance that he himself has long been the object of inspiration. A huge number of paintings were devoted to him, he is mentioned in many literary works and films. A vivid example is the book that became a bestseller, the "Da Vinci Code" by Dan Brown. The beginning of all events in it is directly connected with the museum. And the story ends here.

The Louvre is part of the great heritage of the past, it carefully preserves the treasures of the genius of human art.