The pyramid was initially controversial, with critics famously calling it an 'anachronistic intrusion' upon the historic palace.
Contrary to urban legends, there are exactly 673 glass panes in the pyramid, not 666.
The structure is supported by a 200-ton steel frame and 95 tons of aluminum.
The pyramid's glass was specifically engineered to be completely clear, avoiding the green tint found in standard glass.
The underground lobby beneath the pyramid was carved out of the former palace courtyards during the 1980s expansion.
The inverted pyramid in the underground Carrousel du Louvre was designed to allow light to penetrate into the shopping gallery below.
The pyramid is the focal point of the historic 'Axe historique' of Paris, a line of monuments stretching from the Louvre to the Grande Arche de la Défense.
The Louvre Pyramid serves as the primary entrance to the Musée du Louvre, connecting the Cour Napoléon to the subterranean galleries. Designed by architect I.M. Pei and inaugurated in 1989, the structure is composed of 603 diamond-shaped and 70 triangular glass segments. It stands 21.6 meters high with a base side length of 35 meters. The design uses a steel and aluminum frame to maintain structural stability while ensuring transparency. It acts as a central circulation hub for the three main wings of the museum: Denon, Sully, and Richelieu. The pyramid facilitates access to the extensive underground lobby, which features the inverted 'La Pyramide Inversée' skylight. It serves as an architectural contrast to the surrounding 16th-century French Renaissance palace architecture. The structure is part of the 'Grand Louvre' project initiated to modernize the museum's capacity.
From the edge of the central fountain in the Cour Napoléon for a symmetrical shot of the pyramid against the museum facade.
Use the underground entrance via the Carrousel du Louvre shopping center to avoid waiting in the longest lines at the main pyramid exterior.
Book a time-slotted entry ticket in advance to guarantee access, regardless of the entry point you choose.
Enter through the Porte des Lions if you hold a membership card to bypass the main security lines.
Do not attempt to join the main security line without a pre-booked, timed-entry reservation.
Closed on Tuesdays; open on most public holidays except for specific closures on January 1st, May 1st, and December 25th.
No flash photography inside the museum galleries; standard respectful museum behavior is required.
