Paris ever since. After centuries as a royal palace and through many expansions and renovations,

the vast and ornately decorated complex of buildings was gradually given over to its

role as a gallery and museum from the time of Louis XV, with the first exhibition held

in 1750. This move accelerated dramatically during the French Revolution, although it

was not until 1981 that the entire complex became a museum, when the French Ministry

of Finance was moved from the site. The Louvre contains so many exhibits, collected over

so great a period of time, that if one were to view each for just a few seconds, it would

take many months to see all of them.

The striking, modern pyramid rising from the centre of the Cour Napoleon was opened in

1989 in order to improve visitor access and amenity. Its central location as the main

entrance allows visitors easy access to some of the most important parts of the vast complex.