Conceived by King Phillipe Auguste in 1190, the Louvre first served as a fortress and became the royal residence several centuries later. Through the years, the construction of the palace gradually extended westward to the present day Tuiliries Gardens. Ministers and heads of government were housed around the central Richelieu Palace. The entire neighborhood to the north of the Louvre became a center of wealth and privilege. Within its boundaries were two palaces, the ministry of finance (today the Bank of France) and the royal library. Eventually, the entire neighborhood would be redesigned during the First Empire and the Louvre would be united with the Tuiliries Gardens.
If the Louvre is no longer the seat of power in France, it is certainly the center of art and culture. It houses the world’s largest museum, for which architect I.M. Pei’s famous glass pyramid serves as a stunning main entrance. The gardens of the Tuiliries offer an exquisite atmosphere for a stroll in the city center during any season. Nearby, one finds the Palais-Royal and the Comédie Française which was frequented by Molière in the 17th century. A visit to this neighborhood would not be complete without passing by the Place des Victoires, the Decorative Arts Museum or the Museum of Fashion and Textile.
The area around Place des Victoires contains numerous well-known designer boutiques including J.P. Gaultier, Kenzo, Thierry Mugler, L’eclaireur, and Victoire.
The river side of the Tuileries gardens are known to be quite cruisy and on a hot summer day, sun worshipers find their place on the banks below- known locally as ta-ta beach.
La Terrasse du Toupary, restaurant boasts a commanding view of Paris on a beautiful night. Café Marly offers a cosmopolitan spirit and splendid terrace just in front of the Louvre’s glass pyramid. Angelina is famous for its hot chocolate and warm décor on a cold winter’s day, while Le Fumoir is known for its jet-set ambiance.
