Save time with fast-track Louvre tickets and explore a world culture icon
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The world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris, which is one of the most visited museums in the world and is also home to the world-famous ‘Mona Lisa’ which was painted by Leonardo da Vinci in 1506. The Louvre's collection includes more than 600,000 pieces, however, the museum only shows around 35,000 items at anyone time and rotates the displays to keep it fresh. The collection spans 7000 years of history and is divided into eight departments including:
The Louvre dates back to the 12th century when it was built by Philip II as a fortress. It then underwent various renovations over the centuries and became a royal palace in the 16th century. During the French Revolution, it was converted from a palace into a museum and was officially opened to the public as a museum in 1793, when it started to display the royal art collection as well as other pieces which included some controversial confiscated artworks.
The collection is vast covering ancient civilisations through to 19th century pieces and includes works by the likes of Da Vinci, Michelangelo & Rembrandt, amongst others and includes sculptures, paintings, decorative arts and archaeological artifacts with some of the world’s most famous pieces on display including:
Other notable galleries in the Louvre include the Napoleon III Apartments which are home to a collection of Napoleon's personal belongings which include his throne, his sword and his coronation regalia. The 'Salle des Bronzes' is an underground chamber at the Louvre that houses a marvellous collection of ancient Greek and Roman bronze sculptures. The Louvre also has a magnificent collection of musical instruments from around the world which represent different cultures and times. The gallery is a must for music-lovers.