Traveling out of Berlin, Germany, the CityLab Program was given an amazing opportunity to travel to Paris, France for 5 days. While in Paris, the group, including myself, went on several excursions to visit many different art galleries and famous architectural buildings. Our Hotel location was very convenient, as we were able to walk to most of these famous sites, otherwise having to use the public transportation system. By walking, it made the whole experience more personal as you had to interact and engage with the sites Paris had to offer. Which brings me to the famous modern architectural building and art gallery, the Louvre located in Paris, France
The Louvre is known for being the largest art museum and as a historic monument in Paris, France, featuring over 38,000 artifacts from prehistory to the 21st century. The museum began its history as being known as the Louvre Castle/Louvre Palace in the 12th-13th Century under Philip II. Throughout the Middle Ages, the Louvre Palace was often changed until Charles V, in the 14th century turned the building into a place of residency. Next to Francis I, who renovated the site and Louis the XIV, who had the site hold famous works of art. In the mid-18th century, in 1750, Louis XV created a public gallery in the site and sat for a while. The Louvre turned into a public museum during the French Revolution and Napoleon's reign. The Louvre underwent restoration from 1814-1830 under Louis XVIII and Charles X. The museum continued to acquire more pieces from 1870-1940 and survived World War I.
The Louvre Palace had achieved its present form by 1874, until the French President announced for the renovation of the building. The Louvre Pyramids were designed by the Chinese American architect I.M. Pei, who was awarded the project. I.M. Pei designed the Louvre Pyramids in the Modern Architecture movement following the Bauhaus-style and works. His use of materials that were used in the construction of the museum was noticeably new at the time. I.M. Pei used materials such as glass and steel, for framing the different pyramids. I.M. Pei's modern Louvre Pyramids, however, has sparked a lot of controversy among Parisians, arguing its purpose and functionality in its location and link with modern architecture. Overall, I think the Louvre is a unique representation of modern architecture in Europe as it stands in relation to its surroundings.