LOUVRE ARCHITECTURE

12th & 13th century: The Romanesque castle and military stronghold

The first Louvre was built as a medieval Romanesque fortress with thick walls constructed to protect the western boundaries from foreign invasions. During the rule of King Philippe Auguste II in 1190, a fortress was constructed with small windows, high walls, and ten round defensive towers to provide security and defense against potential threats. The initial Louvre was almost square (78×72 meters), surrounded by a thick wall (2.6 meters) and a water-filled moat. The well-preserved remains of the medieval foundation still exist and can be viewed on the Louvre’s ground floor in the Sully Wing. In 1230, during the rule of Louis IX, a chapel and the main ceremonial room (Grande Salle) were added.

16th century: A Renaissance palace

In 1528, Francis I built a new Renaissance architecture building on the site. Architect Pierre Lescot and sculptor Jean Goujon were hired to design the Lescot wing with a grand staircase. Pierre Lescot was among the first to use classical design in France, and his unique double-pitched mansard roof inspired many 18th-century buildings in France and around the world.

In 1564, Catherine de Medici commissioned her architect Philibert Delorme to build a little castle in a neighboring field on the west called Tuileries, with plans to connect it to the Louvre. During the rule of Henry V, the Grande Galerie, which is 460 meters long with lavishly decorated rooms for royal portraits, was added.

17th century: French Baroque extensions

In the 17th century, Louis XIII expanded the Louvre with the Pavillon de l’Horloge, designed by Jacques Lemercier. The northern wing and the Galerie d’Apollon were also built in the French Baroque style, known for their intricate details and bold and dramatic style.

18th century Neoclassicism

After the royal court moved to Versailles in 1682, the Louvre changed its use and architecture. Various tenants, including artists, moved in, each with their own style. Architect Jacques-Germain Soufflot used French Neoclassicism in his renovations, focusing on grandeur and order. During the 1790s, during the turbulent times of the French Revolution, most of the royal court members left, and more artists started coming to the Louvre, which resulted in further architectural changes.

20th century: Louvre’s Pyramid

In the 20th century, the Louvre underwent major changes, with the Grand Louvre project started by French President François Mitterrand in the 1980s. The most famous addition was the glass pyramid by Chinese-American architect I M Pei, which was officially revealed on 29 March 1989. This modernist structure improved visitor access and connected the old and new styles. The project also expanded the underground lobby and other facilities like exhibition spaces and a shopping mall. Although its proposed modern design was controversial in the beginning, it has since become accepted as a successful modernist addition to the classical architectural style of the Louvre.

Made out of steel and glass, it stands 20.6 meters tall with a square base of 35 meters. Its nearly 700 glass panes allow light into the space below the Cour Napoléon. Surrounding the main pyramid are three smaller glass inverted pyramids that provide light to the underground spaces of the Louvre.