In continuing our series The Art of Paris, one must include the Louvre. With this impressive and giant museum, the only way I could think of tackling a blog article about it was to create a top 5 must see list. You could spend months inside the museum and still not view every object. So when you go, it is helpful if you do a little research, figure out what you want to see, it’s location, and everything in between is a bonus.
Originally the structure was built as a fortress in the 12th century. Since then, it has had a history of never ending remodeling to meet the needs of various purposes with its latest addition in 2012. It was once a home to Francois I and later to Louis XIV, which he found to be too busy so he built Versailles just outside of town as a retreat or place to get away. The palace was established as a museum in 1793.
Top 5 Experiences in no particular order…
The Flying Carpet Structure of the Islamic Gallery
- The Islamic Galleries “Flying Carpet” – This beautiful addition was complete in September of 2012. Located in an internal courtyard, the roof or flying carpet, does not touch the original facade of the Louvre. It is a beautiful marriage of traditional architecture of the Louvre, and valuing progress with a modern structure. The exhibit space is submerged 40 feet into the ground to provide light sensitive objects a safe viewing space. I am not sure how much time I spent looking at the structure. It was truly stunning.
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