Grande Galerie, Art gallery wing in 1st arrondissement, France.
The Grande Galerie extends 288 meters within the Denon Wing of the Louvre Palace and features high ceilings, ornate decorations, and large windows throughout. Natural light floods the long corridor, allowing visitors to view the displayed paintings in ideal lighting conditions.
Construction began in 1595 under Henry IV as a passage connecting the Louvre to the Tuileries Palace, led by architects Louis Metezeau and Jacques Androuet II du Cerceau. The original plan for a longer connection was altered during later renovations in the 1860s.
The space displays European paintings from various periods that form part of France's national collection, offering visitors insight into artistic developments across centuries. The arrangement of the works and the room design reflect how art has been valued and presented over time.
Access is through the main Louvre entrance, with metro stations Palais Royal-Musée du Louvre and Louvre-Rivoli located nearby. Visitors should wear comfortable shoes, as the long corridor requires significant walking to explore properly.
The space originally measured 460 meters before being shortened during renovations in the 1860s, yet it remains the longest room in the entire museum. Few visitors realize how much the corridor was reduced from its original impressive length.
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