The Louvre: From a fortress to a royal palace

Before becoming one of the most famous museums in the world, the Louvre has a fascinating history. Founded in 1190 as a fortress under the reign of Philip Augustus , its purpose was to protect Paris from invasions. It was in the 16th century, under Francis I , that the fortress was transformed into a royal palace, marking a new era for the building. For over 600 years , the Louvre was the residence of several French monarchs, witnessing the architectural evolutions from the Renaissance to Classicism.

The kings resided there until 1682 , when Louis XIV decided to move the court to Versailles. The Louvre, left vacant, then became a center for the arts and royal collections. Following the French Revolution, the palace was transformed into a public museum in 1793 , symbolizing the democratization of access to culture.

A past that shapes the future

Today, the Louvre retains its majestic allure, blending medieval remains and Renaissance architecture with modern additions, such as the Pyramid . Visitors can explore the remains of the medieval fortress still visible beneath the museum, taking them back to another era.

For heritage lovers, the square courtyard and its Renaissance ornaments, as well as the sumptuous Galerie d'Apollon, bear witness to the royal life that inhabited these walls. This rich architectural past makes the Louvre a must-see site, not only for its works, but also for its own history.

Explore our online gallery to discover contemporary works inspired by the Louvre's historical richness, merging the past and the artistic present.

Before becoming the famous museum we know today, the Louvre was indeed a royal palace . Its history is long and complex, dating back several centuries:

The beginnings of the Louvre:

• The Louvre was originally built in 1190 during the reign of King Philip Augustus , not as a palace, but as a fortress intended to protect Paris from Viking invasions. It served as a defensive bastion on the banks of the Seine, with thick walls, towers, and a central keep.

Transformation into a royal palace:

• Over the centuries, the Louvre evolved. It was during the reign of King Charles V in the 14th century that it began to be transformed into a royal residence . He had sumptuous apartments built for his family and his court.
• But it was from the reign of Francis I (early 16th century) that the Louvre underwent its greatest architectural transformation. He had a large part of the old medieval fortress demolished and ordered the construction of a Renaissance-style palace, like the great Italian castles.

A center of power:

• Over the next few centuries, the Louvre became the principal residence of several French kings, including Henry IV and Louis XIII . It was continually enlarged and embellished by generations of monarchs who added wings, galleries, and gardens.
• Under Louis XIV , the Sun King, the Louvre lost its status as a principal residence when the king decided to move to Versailles in 1682. The Louvre, however, remained a symbolic place of royal power and continued to be used for events and receptions.

From royal palace to museum:

• After the French Revolution in 1789, the Louvre finally ceased to be a royal palace. The revolutionaries decided to turn it into a museum to exhibit the nation's artistic treasures.
• In 1793 , it was officially opened to the public as a museum, a symbol of a change in French history: art no longer belonged to royalty, but to the people.

Today, as a museum, the Louvre preserves much of this royal architecture, and its majestic rooms recall the role it played in the history of the kings of France.