The History of the Louvre

The Louvre is so much more than one of the world’s greatest art museum.  On this tour, you will explore its fascinating 800-year-old history, by focusing on the masterpiece that is the Louvre itself.

With your private guide, you’ll retrace the Louvre’s multiple lives. It began as a medieval fortress to protect the city of Paris, when lords swore an oath to the king on his “Great Tower of the Louvre.” Later it became a pleasure palace with graceful galleries, each more sumptuous than the next. The Louvre was only transformed into a museum after the French Revolution, when the king’s former palace was symbolically opened to the people. Throughout its history it has been a tangible symbol of French national identity.

While rulers from Philippe-Auguste to Mitterand sought to leave their mark here, generations of artists, architects, and builders ended up leaving much more.  Your historian guide will help you to look closely at these details, in both celebrated and off-the-beaten track galleries.  You’ll leave the Louvre with a vivid, concrete introduction to the fascinating history of France.

Your guide will bring your timed and dated tickets, and together you’ll use a priority access line to enter the museum. There will be a wait for the required security screening, however.

Our cancellation and change policies are here.

Contact us via email to arrange for this tour in French or Italian.

Tour Teaser: See how the Louvre evolved over 800 years.