The Louvre
The Louvre is one of the most famous art museums in the world. Located in Paris, it carries the designation of being France's national museum. The building itself has a very interesting history. It was built as a fortress in the 12th century by Philippe-Auguste. The original purpose of the building was to protect Paris from invasion. In the 1500s, it became the home of King Louis XIV. Various rulers lived there over the next few centuries, adding extravagant wings to make it one of the largest buildings in the world with over 650,000 square feet. They also contributed to a growing art collection, which remained there when the Louvre was converted to a museum in the 1700s.
The Louvre's collection contains some of the greatest works of art ever created. It's said that it would take weeks to view all of the 35,000 pieces that are located there. These items date from around 6000 BC to the 1800s and span many cultures. The famous Mona Lisa painting, created by Leonardo da Vinci in the 16th century, is undoubtedly one of the most popular works at the Louvre. It was stolen from the museum in 1911, to be discovered and returned two years later. Mona Lisa's mysterious smile has been studied extensively and elicits much fascination. The Venus de Milo is also housed at the Louvre. It is a sculpture of a goddess, probably Aphrodite, that was created in ancient Greece around 100 BC. This marble statue is beautiful despite the fact that it is missing both arms.
The Louvre is an extremely popular site for touring holidays, attracting millions of visitors. Many who travel to Paris consider it an essential stop on their vacation itineraries. People from various walks of life around the globe, including tour groups, families, and solo backpackers, make their way to the museum. The Louvre offers escorted tours and lectures for groups who make reservations.