From medieval fortress to Valois and Bourbon palace, the Louvre became a public museum after 1793. Successive wings (Lescot to Napoleon III) and I. M. Pei’s 1989 glass pyramid reorganized circulation. Conservation spans paintings, sculpture, and architecture; climate, light, security, and visitor flow are orchestrated across vast, historic spaces.
The Louvre’s medieval keep gave way to Renaissance courts; revolution opened royal collections to the public. Nineteenth‑century expansions and the Grand Louvre project modernized access and services.
The glass pyramid brings daylight to an underground concourse linking wings. Security screening, wayfinding, and amenities start below grade, easing flows into Denon, Sully, and Richelieu.
Paintings, sculpture, antiquities, and decorative arts demand specialized climates, mounts, and lighting. Preventive conservation, rotating displays, and labs support long‑term preservation.
Timed entry, late openings, and targeted signage distribute peaks around the ‘Mona Lisa’ and marquee works. Behind the scenes, storage and logistics feed exhibitions across kilometers of galleries.
Reserve timed tickets; plan thematic routes and consider evening hours for lighter crowds.
