Louvre Museum

travel wonder in France

Why the
Louvre Museum
is special

Paris's Louvre vies with New York's Metropolitan Museum as the world's greatest all-around art museum.

Louvre Museum

tips & insights

France's Louvre Museum has the distinction of having the world's most famous painting: Mona Lisa by the Italian Renaissance master Leonardo da Vinci. Mona Lisa's subtle, enigmatic smile and stare (see photo) have intrigued billions.

The celebrated Hellenistic marble statues Venus de Milo and Winged Victory of Samothrace are also in the Louvre Museum.

There are tens of thousands of other masterpieces from around the globe in the Louvre Museum.

The art treasures of the Louvre Museum cover 5,000 years and are displayed in over 10 kilometers (6 miles) of galleries.

The Louvre Museum building complex metamorphosed and expanded over eight centuries. It began as a medieval fortress (12th century) that was transformed into a royal palace (16th) and then a public museum (18th).

In recent decades, the Louvre Museum undertook a major renovation project. The most striking addition was architect I.M. Pei's 1989 modern glass pyramid (most people like it but some despise it).

View my other

gold medal winners

in France

My French

phrase guide

for travelers

What every visitor should know.

French cuisine guide

I hope your France travel dreams come true - and that 

my Louvre Museum page helps you enjoy your vacation, tour or trip

©2008 HQP / Hillman Quality Publications