Best Museum "Louvre Museum"

The Louvre Museum is a symbol of Paris and one of the most-visited cultural sites of the world a historic monument. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace which began as a fortress built in the late 12th century under Philip II. Its huge and rich collections include all ages from antiquity and the Renaissance (the Mona Lisa, works by Michelangelo, Botticelli) to 19th-century French masterpieces.

This museum was initially the main Royal Palace in Paris, and was built on the site of an earlier royal fortress, whose remains can be seen on the ground floor. The museum opened on 10 August 1793 with an exhibition of 537 paintings, the majority of the works being confiscated church and royal property. The collection showcased 537 paintings and 184 objects of art. It is the world's most visited museum, averaging 15,000 visitors per day, 65 percent of whom are tourists. The collection, among the world's largest, overviews Egyptian life spanning Ancient Egypt, the Middle Kingdom, the New Kingdom, Roman, and Byzantine periods. The Islamic art collection are also displayed here.

The Louvre, in its succeeding architectural metamorphoses, has ruled central Paris since the late 12th century. Built on the city's western edge, the original structure was steadily overwhelmed as the city grew. During eight centuries, the Louvre palace has been continuously enlarged and embellished by French Kings and Emperors alike and Louvre was transformed into a public museum. Museum growth slowed after World War I, and the collection did not achieve many significant new works. During World War II the museum removed most of the art and hid precious pieces.

The Louvre Palace is an almost rectangular structure. In the heart of the complex is the Louvre Pyramid, above the visitor's center. The museum is divided into three wings.

The Tuileries and Carrousel gardens form a pleasant, verdant setting for the Louvre palace. A delight at any season of the year, they provide the perfect place for a relaxing amble and offer a range of activities for visitors.