Louvre Pyramid, Glass and steel pyramid entrance at Cour Napoléon, France
The Louvre Pyramid rises 21.6 meters high with 673 glass panels arranged in a geometric pattern at the center of the museum courtyard.
President François Mitterrand commissioned architect I.M. Pei in 1981 to create a new entrance that would modernize the centuries-old museum complex.
The pyramid structure connects symbolically with the Egyptian antiquities collection inside the museum while introducing contemporary architectural elements to the classical setting.
The central underground lobby beneath the pyramid provides access to three wings of the museum, contains ticket offices, and links directly to the metro station.
The pyramid's glass panels required two years of research to develop a formula that would maintain perfect transparency while meeting structural requirements.
Location: 1st arrondissement of Paris
Inception: 1981
Architects: I. M. Pei
Creator: I. M. Pei
Official opening: 1989
Architectural style: Egyptian Revival architecture
Length: 35.42 m
Width: 37 m
Accessibility: Wheelchair accessible
Website: https://www.louvre.fr/decouvrir/le-palais/une-pyramide-pour-symbole
Made from material: glass, steel, aluminium
Creator: I. M. Pei
Part of: Louvre Palace
Website: https://louvre.fr/decouvrir/le-palais/une-pyramide-pour-symbole
GPS coordinates: 48.86100,2.33586
Latest update: November 20, 2025 21:44
20th and 21st-century architecture has transformed city centers with structures that push engineering boundaries. Observation towers like the Seattle Space Needle and experimental residential complexes like Habitat 67 in Montreal demonstrate the evolution of construction techniques. Architects have explored new forms using materials such as steel, glass, and concrete, creating structures that meet the growing demands of metropolitan areas. This collection includes buildings that marked their time with innovative design. In Barcelona, Antoni Gaudí's Casa Milà features a wavy facade that breaks traditional norms, while in London, 30 St Mary Axe incorporates energy-saving technologies into its 180-meter structure. From Bilbao's Guggenheim Museum clad in titanium to artificial islands shaped in the Persian Gulf in Dubai, these projects illustrate the diversity of architectural approaches worldwide. Each building reflects its urban context while offering solutions to technical and functional challenges of its era.
These structures represent postmodern architecture from 1970 to present. The buildings display diverse forms, materials, and functions: from museums and libraries to stadiums and churches. They combine new technologies with artistic elements.
Paris offers many options for families with children, from large amusement parks to interactive museums. Disneyland Paris in Marne-la-Vallée features two themed parks focused on Disney characters, while Parc Astérix in Plailly offers roller coasters and shows inspired by Gaulish culture. In the city, the Cité des Sciences et de l'Industrie allows children to explore technology and science practically, with its planetarium and experimental zones. Families can also visit the Paris Zoological Park, which displays 180 species in habitats recreating different ecosystems, or explore the National Museum of Natural History with its fossil and mineral collections. For aquatic activities, Aquaboulevard has slides and wave pools under a roof. The Grevin Museum exhibits over 200 wax statues of famous personalities, while the Museum of Illusions engages viewers with interactive visual installations. La Villette Park combines green spaces, playgrounds, and cultural venues across 55 hectares.
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