Louvre exhibition opens in Tehran in historic deal

“This completely unprecedented exhibition... allows us to make the link between this glorious moment and relations that date back to the 19th century.” France has deep cultural ties with pre-revolutionary Iran, and the National Museum itself was built by a Frenchman, Andre Godard, in 1938. While Britain and Russia battled for political influence in 19th century Persia, it was the French who led the way in archaeological affairs.