Aile de Flore, Palace wing in 1st arrondissement, France
Aile de Flore is a wing of the Louvre Palace that stretches from the Pavillon des Sessions to the Pavillon de Flore along the Seine River. It contains the graphic arts collection reserves on upper floors, with classrooms and study spaces occupying the ground level and basement.
Construction began in 1595 under Henry IV as part of the Grand Gallery project to link the Louvre with the Tuileries Palace. The facades received their final artistic treatment in the mid-1800s.
The École du Louvre, a public higher-education institution for art history, archaeology and museology, occupies the ground floor, first floor and basement of the wing. Its students enter from the Seine side, next to the Pavillon de Flore, so the school's daily activity is part of the building's use rather than something seen from outside.
Access is typically limited to students and professionals since it serves educational and research functions. The graphic collections can be viewed by appointment with prior permission from the Louvre administration.
The Seine facade was entrusted to Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux, while the Tuileries side went to Pierre-Jules Cavelier, so the two long faces of the wing carry sculpture by different hands. The wing itself was rebuilt by Hector Lefuel between 1861 and 1866.
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