1793 THE MUSÉE DU LOUVRE OPENS ITS DOORS
The story of a Parisian landmark
For more than 200 years, the Louvre palace was a glorious showcase of the French monarchy’s decadence. Originally, a fortress had stood on its site, built in the 12th century to protect Paris against attacks. But by the 14th century, the city’s borders had been far extended, and the fort fell into disuse.