About the Louvre
Paris
A visit to the Louvre and its collections lets visitors discover Western art from the Middle Ages to 1848, as well as a large number of ancient civilizations, yet it also offers another history to explore. The grand palace that houses the museum, which dates back to the late twelfth century, is a true lesson in architecture: from 1200 to 2011, the most innovative architects have in turn built and developed the Louvre. Long the seat of power, this royal residence was also home to French heads of state until 1870 and is one of the major backdrops to the history of Paris and of France.
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©SANAA / Kazuyo Sejima and Ryue Nishizawa
Lens
This museum of glass and light, set deftly atop a former mine works in Lens is not simply an annex of the Louvre, it is the Louvre itself. It offers new possibilities to visitors, such as going behind the scenes to find out about all of the facets and professions of a museum, observing the restoration of artworks in progress, visiting the storage areas, and learning about the guiding principles of conservation and museography.
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© TDIC, AJN, Artefactory, Louvre Abu Dhabi
Abu Dhabi
Through an intergovernmental agreement signed on March 6, 2007, France and the United Arab Emirates decided to create Louvre Abu Dhabi, a singular museum, designed by Jean Nouvel, which brings together the dynamism of Abu Dhabi and the values of excellence embodied by the Louvre name.
Visit SiteYou can learn more about the amenities offered by the museum, including locker access, accessibility, dining options, and free equipment rentals like strollers and wheelchairs. You can also learn more about the museum’s audio guides. Advanced reservations are required and can be done through the Louvre’s ticketing website.
The Collections database features over 500,000 works from the Louvre Museum and the Musée National Eugène-Delacroix. Updated daily, it is the result of ongoing research and documentation carried out by the curatorial staff of both institutions. The English version of the database was made possible by American Friends of the Louvre.
La Fayette: Database of American Art
This bilingual online catalogue presents more than 1,700 works produced by United States artists before 1940 that entered the national collections of France. It includes works of art in all media except prints and photography. These artworks have been drawn from public collections all over France. The title, artist, medium, dimensions, inventory number, history, bibliography and exhibition history of each piece have been documented. All artworks that it was feasible to reproduce under current copyright regulations are available online. All records include photos of the museum or institution where artworks are conserved, as well as links to these institutions’ websites. The catalogue also presents a range of supplementary materials, including a French bibliography, a selection of significant works, a timeline and a range of biographical and historical information.
Public programming at the Louvre
Events at the Auditorium complement and extend the visitor’s experience at the Louvre. The varied programs range from lectures and symposia on archaeology, art history and museum studies to readings, film screenings and concerts.