Cour Carrée, Renaissance courtyard in Louvre Palace, Paris, France
The Cour Carrée is a perfectly square courtyard in the Louvre measuring about 160 meters on each side, enclosed by eight wings with matching pavilions. The design creates an open, spacious area in the heart of the palace, combining architectural elements from different periods.
King Philip Augustus built a fortress here at the end of the 12th century, which later kings expanded and transformed over the centuries. The courtyard's current Renaissance appearance came from repeated reconstructions that modernized the original medieval core into its present symmetrical form.
The courtyard walls display royal monograms and initials carved into stone, marking the different monarchs who shaped this place over time. Walking around, you notice how each ruler left their mark through these personal symbols.
You can enter through several gates, including the main entrance beneath the Clock Pavilion and passages from the Seine riverbank. It helps to allow time for a leisurely walk, as the courtyard is large and offers many architectural details to discover at your own pace.
The western wing, known as the Lescot Wing, displays the earliest Renaissance facade of the Louvre with intricate stone carvings. This section represents a key example of French Renaissance architecture that shapes the courtyard's overall character.
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