A Visual History of the Louvre

"They'll hang us in the Louvre" (Lorde, 2017).

A woman admires a gallery of paintings (June 1993).

Ever since the Louvre was erected in the 12th century, it has served as an iconic piece of Parisian architecture. Now the largest art museum in the world, the Louvre was once a medieval fortress and reconstructed as a palace before being established as a museum on August 10, 1793.

Not only is the museum home to priceless works of art, such as the "Mona Lisa," "Venus de Milo," and "Liberty Leading the People," but also has close ties to the fashion world. The Louvre features galleries on the history of costume dating back to the French regency period, the history of textiles, and more, as well as hosted several fashion shows. French fashion house Louis Vuitton has displayed its Fall/Winter 2021 collection within the museum's grand hallways, as has Dior and Chanel.

Louis Vuitton Fall/Winter 2021

Immerse yourself in the museum's rich history with a series of vintage photography taken at the Louvre.

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A view of the Louvre's exterior, 1940.

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Lush gardens and scultpures outside the Louvre, October 1948.

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Visitors admire the "Venus de Milo" statue, 1979.

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A woman caresses the "Sleeping Hermaphroditus" sculpture, 1980.

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A couple strolls in front of the Louvre's pyramid during a rainy day, 1980.

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Amidst the museum's Italian Renaissance paintings, a nun contemplates the artwork, 1982.

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Jacques Chirac, former Prime Minister and President of France, visits the Louvre, June 26, 1986.

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World leaders, including US President George Bush, French President Francois Mitterrand, and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, gather for the G7 economic summit (July 1989).