 | Le
Grand Louvre: This museum is famous all over the world. It is the oldest museum
in Paris. It is dedicated to a very long period from antiquity (egyptians, greeks,
romans....) up to the first part of the XIXth century. The Louvre was originally
built at a fortress. Around year 1200, near the city limits and the Seine river
banks, the Louvre was considered and administered as an additional protection
in the Paris defensive system by King Philippe Auguste's engineers.Built just
before the departure of the King to the Crusades, its high walls were protecting
the citizens from the river, from where invaders were always feared. The building
did not yet host the political power, which was still moving. Prison, often keeping
the royal treasure and armory, with lots of surrounding towers to protect the
central dungeon, it was just one of the many fortresses where the Royalty was
displaying its growing power. |  |