The Louvre opened to the public in 1793 and has eight thematic galleries with over 35,000 pieces of art work. The art collection in these galleries dates from the ancient times till the modern period. Some of the permanent collections include masterpieces by Da Vinci, Delacroix, Vermeer and Rubens.
The section on Near Eastern Antiquities has been devoted to the ancient civilizations of the Near East. The artifacts in this gallery include those from the first settlements till the rise of Islam.
The Department of Egyptian Antiquities has relics from the civilizations that emerged in the Nile Valley from the late prehistoric era.
The Greek, Etruscan, and Roman Antiquities illustrate artwork from the Greek, Etruscan, and Romancivilizations. The exhibits range from the 4th millennium BCE to the 6th century AD.
There is an Islamic arts collection at the museum. This gallery has a wonderful collection of ceramics, glass, wood, metalware, ivory, carpet, textiles, and miniatures.
The gallery on sculptures was opened in 1824 and boasts of modern sculptures.
The Department of Decorative Arts has a large collection of various objects including bronze, jewelry, ivory, furniture and ceramics.The Department of Paintings has a huge collection of paintings. The gallery on Prints and Drawings has been dedicated to different works of papers including drawings, miniatures and pastels.
The museum also hosts a number of temporary exhibits highlighting specific artists or movements. The museum is open every day excepting on Tuesday.
The closest masjid to the Louvre is the Grand Masjid of Paris in the 5th arrondissement. There are a number of halal restaurants in the 1st arrondissement where travelers can find fast food and also a range of Mediterranean, Asian and European cuisines.
