Fortress, Palace, Museum: The Architecture of the Louvre
2.5-hour architecture tour. 4 person maximum.
Visitors to Paris often make the obligatory trek out to Versailles, and yet right here in the city awaits an architectural monument with much deeper ties to the history of France. This 2.5-hour tour looks at the masterpiece that is the Louvre's architecture and interior design.
The Louvre is more than simply the largest museum in the world. The stones of the building are a collective symbol of French identity. This began in the middle ages, when lords swore an oath to the king on his “Great Tower of the Louvre.” Its majestic remains (depicted) are just one stop on this exploration of 800 years of history.
With your private guide, you’ll travel through that history by retracing the Louvre’s multiple lives as fortress, palace, and museum. Studying its mix of styles—from intimate Renaissance to opulent Second Empire—will also help you to understand the rest of the city’s evolution.
While rulers from Philippe-Auguste to Mitterand sought to leave their mark here, generations of artists, architects, and anonymous builders ended up leaving much more. The splendors they created are also tangible remnants of the spirit of their age.
Rates. 2.5-hour tour: €113 for individuals, or €98 per person for parties of two or more. Includes price of admission. €20 surcharge to guarantee that your party has a one-on-one tour with your guide without other parties. 4 person maximum.
