
The Louvre Museum, or simply the Louvre, is an iconic art museum located in Paris, France. It is one of the largest and most visited museums in the world, housing thousands of works of art from various periods and civilizations. The museum is housed in the Louvre Palace, which was originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century. It became a royal palace in the 14th century and was eventually converted into a museum in 1793. The Louvre now showcases over 38,000 works of art, including paintings, sculptures, decorative arts, and archaeological artifacts. Among its most famous exhibits are Leonardo da Vinci's "Mona Lisa," the sculpture of "Venus de Milo," and the ancient Greek statue "Winged Victory of Samothrace." The museum also houses collections from various civilizations, including ancient Egyptian, Greek, Roman, and Islamic art. In addition to its permanent collection, the Louvre regularly hosts temporary exhibitions and offers educational programs and guided tours. The museum attracts millions of visitors every year, making it a must-see attraction for art lovers and tourists from around the world.