The Louvre began its existence in 1190 as a fortress and since then it was tore down, reconstructed and expanded throughout the reigns of many illustrious French kings to become what it is today, one of the largest museums in the world, home of priceless paintings, sculptures and other famous works of art from around the world.

The museum is divided into 8 departments devoted to art from ancient times to the first half of the 19th century in 1848: Near Eastern Antiquities, Islamic Art, Paintings, Egyptian antiquities, Sculptures, Prints and drawings, Greek, Etruscan and Roman Antiquities, Decorative Arts. Most works of art are in the new Richelieu wing that was opened to the public in 1993. Even though the Louvre has an exhibition space of nearly 15 acres, still a large part of the works are in storage.

The Louvre proudly exhibits the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci, the enigmatic portrait that people from all over the world come to see and marvel at, but also well-known sculptures as Nike of Samothrace and Venus de Milo. In the same gallery with Mona Lisa, paintings from Rembrandt, Giorgione, Titian, Rubens or David are exhibited.

The museum is open every day except on Tuesdays from 9 am to 6 pm (9:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays) and French public holidays. The entrance is marked by the Crystal Pyramid, designed and built by Ieoh Ming Pei, and inaugurated in 1989. A full-day ticket except temporary exhibitions is 8.50 euros and a ticket for all exhibitions is 13 euros.

36, Quai du Louvre, 75001 Paris
Tel: 01.40.20.53.17
Fax: 01.40.20.58.24
http://www.louvre.fr