What do the Louvre Pyramid, a medieval artwork and a manuscript have in common?

 

They are all testimonies of history. Irreplaceable and unique containers of information.

 

They tell us about the people who made them, the societies they lived in, their knowledge, beliefs and ways of seeing the world.

 

The Louvre is built around this idea. But history is not only inside its galleries. It is written into the building itself.

 

A palace made of layers

 

The Louvre began as a fortress in 1190, built by Philippe Auguste to protect Paris. It became a royal residence, was transformed by successive kings and finally opened as a public museum in 1793.

 

Today, its architecture brings these different periods together. Medieval foundations, Renaissance façades, classical courtyards and the nineteenth-century palace coexist in the same complex.

 

The glass Pyramid, designed by I. M. Pei and inaugurated in 1989, adds another layer.

 

It was initially controversial. A contemporary structure in the middle of a historic palace. Yet it also solved a practical problem: organising visitor access and circulation between the museum's three wings.

 

It is both an entrance and an architectural statement.

 

Art inside a piece of art...

 

The Louvre's collections cover several civilisations and thousands of years: Egyptian antiquities, Greek and Roman sculpture, Islamic art, paintings, decorative arts and much more.

 

Even the building contains its own history. The medieval foundations can still be seen below the museum, including remains of the original fortress.

 

For children, this creates an unusual relationship with time. A pyramid, a sculpture, a manuscript or an ancient object is not simply something to look at. Each is evidence of a world that existed before ours.

 

Photography and perspectives

 

The Louvre is one of Paris's most recognisable photographic locations.

 

The Pyramid creates a strong geometric contrast with the palace façades. Its glass structure reflects the sky and the surrounding architecture, while its transparency allows the historic buildings to remain visible.

 

The Cour Napoléon offers symmetry, reflections and architectural perspectives. The Cour Carrée reveals a different, older character. The Tuileries Garden extends the composition towards Place de la Concorde.

 

The location is also familiar from fashion photography, film and countless images of Paris.

 

Photographers' suggestions by season

 

- Spring: Reflections and fresh greenery around the Pyramid.

- Summer: Strong contrasts between glass, stone and sky.

- Autumn: Warmer colours in the Tuileries Garden.

- Winter: More visible architectural lines and quieter compositions.

 

Family tips

 

The courtyards, fountains, sculptures and gardens offer plenty to observe. Inside, the medieval foundations provide a tangible connection to the origins of the palace. The Tuileries Garden adds space for children to move and explore.

 

Practical information

 

Location: Rue de Rivoli, 75001 Paris.

Metro: Palais Royal – Musée du Louvre, lines 1 and 7.

Photography: Outdoor courtyards and gardens offer free photographic opportunities. Museum admission is required for the collections.

 

Visit: The outdoor area can be explored separately from the museum.

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