

It needed to complement the surrounding architecture and not overshadow the view of the buildings all around. The Glass Pyramid of the Louvre was designed to be the Louvre’s new visitor entrance. The museum would incorporate the Richelieu Wing of the Louvre Palace, which at the time served as the home of the Ministry of Finance. The “Grand Louvre” project was launched in 1981 by François Mitterand, who had just been elected President of the French Republic. The project’s goal was to modernize the museum, make it more accessible to visitors, and increase its exhibition space. The Louvre Glass Pyramid was constructed as part of an extensive renovation and expansion project for the Louvre Museum, the “Grand Louvre” project.

The Pyramid of the Louvre has a fascinating history. Click here to buy your skip-the-line Louvre tickets.ġ0+ Louvre Pyramid Facts 1. TIP: Check out our quick guide to the Louvre Museum in Paris. Today, the Louvre presents a collection of more than 35,000 works spread over 60,000 m2, including masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, the Raft of the Medusa, Liberty Leading the People… and so many others!īut do you really know about the Louvre Pyramid, one of the most celebrated structures in the city? Discover these 10+ fun and unusual facts about the Louvre Pyramid in Paris. Designed by the Sino-American architect Ieoh Ming Pei as part of the extensive renovation and expansion project for the Louvre Museum, the Louvre Glass Pyramid welcomes today more than 10 million visitors a year.įormer residence of the kings of France, the Louvre Palace became a museum during the French Revolution. This Glass Pyramid in Paris stands in the Napoleon Courtyard of the Louvre, and it opened to the public in 1989. The Louvre Pyramid is one of the most famous landmarks in Paris. This article may contain compensated links.
