Secrets of the Louvre

gertrude The palace transformation under King Francis I

gertrude The Louvre Palace Paris

From fortress walls so strong, To a grand palace, centuries long.

gertrude Why the Louvre started as a medieval fortress

gertrude How a royal collection became a public museum

gertrude The palace transformation under King Francis I

BETA

gertrude Drag new wings onto the fortress to discover how the Louvre became a royal palace.

Fun Fact

Medieval moat: Visitors can still walk through the original 12th-century medieval moat and fortress ruins in the basement of the modern Louvre.

Glossary

louvre (noun)
A French landmark that evolved from a medieval fortress into a magnificent royal palace. Today, you can walk through its ancient underground moats right before seeing the Mona Lisa.

Gossip

Would you live in a drafty medieval castle?

Quiz

What medieval defensive feature can visitors still see in the Louvre basement today?

gertrude The dark history of the Tuileries Palace

Quiz

What was the original purpose of the Louvre when it was built in 1190?

gertrude How a royal collection became a public museum

Quiz

Which French king first demolished the medieval keep to build a Renaissance palace?

Quiz

Which architectural structure was burned down in 1871, leaving the Louvre with its open courtyard?

Quiz

What river runs directly alongside the Louvre museum in Paris?

Quiz

During which major historical event was the Louvre officially declared a public museum?

Quiz

Which French monarch moved the royal court from the Louvre to the Palace of Versailles?

Quiz

In what year did the Louvre first open to the public as a museum?