August 10, 1793

On this day in history in 1793 the Louvre Museum opened in Paris.

A Royal Palace

The Louvre when it served as a royal palace

The Louvre served as a royal palace for more than two centuries before it was opened as a museum. It was first built by King Francis I in 1546. It stands on the site of a 12th-century fortress that was built by King Phillip II. Francis was a great art collector, which was incorporated into the palace. Its building continued after his death by Kings Henry II and Charles IX. Over time, subsequent monarchs extended the Louvre and its grounds. In particular, Louis XIII and XIV added major additions in the 17th century. King Louis XIV also extended the art collection. In 1682, however, he moved his court to Versailles and the Louvre was no longer used as a primary royal residence.

Becoming a Museum

During the Enlightenment many in France wanted a display of the royal collections for the public to visit. The revolutionary government eventually opened the Musée Central des Arts in the Grande Galerie of the Louvre in 1793.

The Louvre's iconic entrance

Overtime the collection grew, especially as the French army seized items from territories they claimed during both the Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. By the 19th century two new wings had to be added for the growing collection. The modern-day multi-building Louvre complex was completed in 1847. It did undergo major renovations in the late 1900s, however. The museum's amenities were updated and new exhibition space was also built. This was also when the famous steel-and-glass pyramid entrance was added.