From fortress to palace to world-famous museum, it has had its fair share of monumental changes.
Scroll down to learn 10 facts about the Louvre Museum.
Learn 10 facts about the Louvre Museum.
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The Louvre used to be a fortress.
However, due to the Sein river, the border was left partially open.
To compensate for this weakness, a castle was built by the wall.
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Over time, the Louvre went through more expansions, becoming a palace for royalty in the 1500s.
It was not until the French Revolution that the Louvre was fully transformed into a public museum in 1793.
The name Louvre has mysterious origins.
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Even though Louvre is a household name, the origin of this word is still unknown.
Some historians believe that it is derived from leouar, which is the Latin-Saxon word for castle.
Another possible source could be the Latin word rubras, which translates to red soil.
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Over half of the paintings in the Louvre are made by French artists.
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A quarter of Leonardo da Vinci’s paintings are housed in the Louvre.
Leonardo da Vinci’s enigmaticMona Lisahas been housed in the Louvre since 1804.
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However, this much-studied portrait is not the only work by the Renaissance master.
Napoleon re-named the Louvre after himself.
The name was reverted back to the Louvre in 1814, and Napoleon abdicated the following year.
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At that point, 5,000 of the stolen works of art were returned to their country of origin.
The Louvre was emptied before WWII.
During World War II, the Nazis stole and destroyed numerous works of art.
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The Louvre is the most-visited art museum in the world.
It is also the largest museum in the world.
Due to its complex origins, the Louvre Museum became a massive structure, stretching over 15 acres.
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There are two Louvre Museums.
Surprisingly, the Louvre Museum in Paris is not the only institution by the same name.
The glass pyramid was added to the Louvre in 1989.
Today, the Louvre Museum is not only known for its history, but also for its modernity.
One of its most prominent features, in fact, was added in 1989.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Where is the Louvre?
The Louvre Museum is located in Paris, France.
When was the Louvre built?
Is theMona Lisaat the Louvre?
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa is located in the Louvre Museum in Paris.
