Cour Carrée

The Cour Carrée is the oldest part of the Louvre, defined by a massive square courtyard enclosed by high, ornate walls that tell the story of French royal architecture over three centuries. Pierre Lescot designed the western wing for King Francis the First in the fifteen forties, replacing a medieval fortress with Renaissance detail. Later kings continued the work, eventually wrapping the space in consistent classical facades. Beneath the pavement, the original fortress foundations remain, hidden exactly where the royal guards once stood watch.