2. HISTORY
• Le Louvre was built as a fortress in
the 12th century by King Philippe II.
• The original fortress was
demolished in the late 15th century,
and rebuilt along the Seine River.
• Le Louvre was extendend in the
16th century by Pierre Lescot.
• A decade later, Catharina de Medici
added to the west wing of the
Louvre.
• Additions to the Louvre were halted
because King Louis XIV made the
decision to move to the Versaille
Palace.
• In 1793, the museum opened.
3. THE NEW
PYRAMID
• The new Pyramid was built
in 1989 by I.M. Pei, who is a
famous American Architect.
• The Pyramid lets sunlight
into the underground floor.
• Peoples opinions varied on
this modern addition, as it
contrasted with the
surrounding buildings.
4. THE MONA
LISA
• Leonardo Da Vinci began to work on the
Mona Lisa in 1503, and according to his
biographer, Giorgio Vasari, he worked on
it for four years.
• In 1804, the Mona Lisa was hung in the
Louvre.
• On August 21, in 1911, the Mona Lisa
disappeared.
• It was rediscovered on November 29,
1913.
• The Mona Lisa currently rests in the
Denon Wing, the most crowded of the
three wings, and annually attracts the
most tourists.
5. VENUS DE
MILOS
• This statue is of Venus- the
goddess of love and beauty.
• Venus was found in 1820 in
ruins of an ancient city on the
island of Milos.
• When Venus was discovered,
she was broken into many
pieces, and missing her arms.
• Venus was put on a French ship
and brought to King Louis XVIII,
who gave her to the Louvre.
6. T H E S E AT E D
SCRIBE
• The Seated Scribe was
discovered by archeologist
Auguste Mariette in
Saqqara on November 19,
1850.
• The statue dates back the
4th Dynasty.
7. A VIDEO TOUR OF THE LOUVRE
• http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Video-v73430-Paris-
The_Louvre_Video_Tour_Guide-Video.html
