The LOUVRE is a world-renowned museum located on the banks of the Seine River in Paris, France. It is the largest and most visited art museum in the world, with an estimated 8.5 million visitors annually. The museum was originally built as a fortress in the 12th century and was later converted into a royal palace in the 16th century. It was opened to the public in 1793 and has since become one of the most iconic cultural institutions in the world.