Downstream from the Pont Neuf is the Louvre, a former royal palace. At one time the world’s largest palace, currently the world’s largest museum. It’s a classical grand building that stretches for about 1 km between the Seine and the rue de rivoli.

The Louvre is home to the Mona Lisa, you can find it in the Denon wing. The work is owned by the Government of France and is perhaps the most famous and iconic painting in the world. The painting is a half-length portrait and depicts a woman whose expression is often described as enigmatic.

The Museum houses some 400.000 items. The collections are divided into eight sections: Greek, Egyptian antiquities, Oriental antiquities, Islamic art, Etruscan and Roman antiquities, paintings, sculptures, graphic arts and objects d’art.

The Louvre
Opening hours: Open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. (rooms begin closing at 5:30) every day except Tuesday and the following holidays: January 1st, May 1st and December 25, 2009.
Admission fee:
Tickets for the Permanent Collections: between EUR 6,- and EUR 9,-
Tickets for Exhibitions in the Hall Napoléon: EUR 11,-
Combined Ticket: between EUR 11,- and EUR 14,-
Getting to the Louvre:
Métro: Palais-Royal–Musée du Louvre station.
Bus: The following bus lines stop in front of the Pyramid: 21, 24, 27, 39, 48, 68, 69, 72, 81, 95, and the Paris Open Tour bus.
Car: An underground parking garage is available for those coming by car. The entrance is located on avenue du Général Lemonnier. It is open daily from 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.

Plan of the Louvre (PDF)

Some of these pictures made in Paris are slightly modified with photoshop (if so only the background).