Le LouvreJul ie Arentsen and Noël le Zucchero

H I S T O R Y•Le Louvre was built as a fortress in

the 12th century by King Philippe II.

•The original fortress was demolished in the late 15th century, and rebuilt along the Seine River.

•Le Louvre was extendend in the 16th century by Pierre Lescot.

•A decade later, Catharina de Medici added to the west wing of the Louvre.

•Additions to the Louvre were halted because King Louis XIV made the decision to move to the Versaille Palace.

•In 1793, the museum opened.

T H E N E W P Y R A M I D

• The new Pyramid was built in 1989 by I.M. Pei, who is a famous American Architect.

• The Pyramid lets sunlight into the underground floor.

• Peoples opinions varied on this modern addition, as it contrasted with the surrounding buildings.

T H E M O N A L I S A

• Leonardo Da Vinci began to work on the Mona Lisa in 1503, and according to his biographer, Giorgio Vasari, he worked on it for four years.

• In 1804, the Mona Lisa was hung in the Louvre.

• On August 21, in 1911, the Mona Lisa disappeared.

• It was rediscovered on November 29, 1913.

• The Mona Lisa currently rests in the Denon Wing, the most crowded of the three wings, and annually attracts the most tourists.

V E N U S D E M I L O S

• This statue is of Venus- the goddess of love and beauty.

• Venus was found in 1820 in ruins of an ancient city on the island of Milos.

• When Venus was discovered, she was broken into many pieces, and missing her arms.

• Venus was put on a French ship and brought to King Louis XVIII, who gave her to the Louvre.

T H E S E AT E D S C R I B E

• The Seated Scribe was discovered by archeologist Auguste Mariette in Saqqara on November 19, 1850.

• The statue dates back the 4th Dynasty.

A V I D E O T O U R O F T H E L O U V R E

• http://www.tripfilms.com/Travel_Video-v73430-Paris-The_Louvre_Video_Tour_Guide-Video.html

T H A N K S F O R W AT C H I N G !