I was lucky enough to have visited The Louvre several times in my life. I WISH I would have had access to this book before my visits! Being such an overwhelming museum with an overwhelming number of exhibits, I would often run through in my limited amount of time and just seek out famous works (Mona Lisa etc.). This book made me realize that The Louvre is more than just the exhibits, the building itself has a fascinating history which, at times, is more fascinating than the stories behind the art. This book would be a wonderful support in a classroom in teaching history through story. Wonderfully written.

This was such a fantastic and interesting history of the Louvre, if you are traveling to Paris I think you will find this a worthwhile read. Also absolutely recommended for lovers of eighteenth and nineteenth-century European history. Gardner kept me interested the whole way through with fascinating anecdotes and stories.

Well researched and well written. As an art lover and visitor to the Louvre, it was nice to read about the rich history of the museum and art.

A thoroughly researched history of the Louvre, "the world's most famous museum". It's hard to imagine visiting Paris without even a brief stop to see the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and many other world-renowned works. But when I made such a trip myself, I had no idea of the centuries-long history of this unusual museum. This book will appeal to readers who enjoy art history, French history, architecture, and generally interesting nonfiction.

Some nine million people from all over the world flock to the Louvre each year to enjoy its incomparable art collection. Yet few of them are aware of the remarkable history of that place and of the buildings themselves—a fascinating story that historian James Gardner elegantly chronicles in the first full-length history of the Louvre in English.
More than 7,000 years ago, men and women camped on a spot calledle Louvre for reasons unknown; a clay quarry and a vineyard supported a society there in the first centuries AD. A thousand years later, King Philippe Auguste of France constructed a fortress there in 1191, just outside the walls of a city far smaller than the Paris we know today. Intended to protect the capital against English soldiers stationed in Normandy, the fortress became a royal residence under Charles V two centuries later, and then the monarchy’s principal residence under the great Renaissance king François I in 1546. It remained so until 1682, when Louis XIV moved his entire court to Versailles. Thereafter the fortunes of the Louvre languished until the tumultuous days of the French Revolution when, during the Reign of Terror in 1793, it first opened its doors to display the nation’s treasures. Ever since—through the Napoleonic era, the Commune, two World Wars, to the present—the Louvre has been a witness to French history, and expanded to become home to a legendary collection, including such masterpieces as the Mona Lisa and Venus de Milo, whose often-complicated and mysterious origins form a spectacular narrative that rivals the building’s grand stature.

I received an advanced digital copy of this book from Grove Atlantic, James Gardner and NetGalley.com. Thanks to all for the opportunity to read and review. The opinions expressed in this review are my own.

A wonderful look into the history of the building that we know as The Louvre. Well researched and well written, it brings the history of the museum we all know into the spotlight. A perfect addition for any art lover's bookshelves!

5 out of 5 stars.

The Louvre is a novel that spoke to my hidden art historian side. It's delightfully detailed and complex, full of history and so much more. I know it may sound odd to say that a history book contains more than history in it, but I really do mean it here.

The Louvre is one of my favourite places to visit, and getting to know it even better has made me love it even more.

I learned a lot from this text, and was reminded of other things I had known but forgotten. I did find myself wishing my French language and history knowledge weren't so rusty--or my memory of visiting the Louvre, for that matter. The many lives who have had a hand in shaping the site, the building, and the collection over the last 800 years are depicted, although the modern history ends right around the time of the 1989 renovation. The tone is positive, not delving too much into questions of colonialism and provenance or other discussions that modern museums were facing, at least up until COVID. But for a bit of historical escapism and French culture, it makes for an interesting read.

Thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for the opportunity to review a digital ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

This was a really thorough and well researched history of the Louvre that made me desperate to go back! I would have liked a little more from the war years (although that's certainly been covered more than the medieval and renaissance history) but overall I really enjoyed this book.

Those living today only know the Louvre as a museum. This book outlines the unique history of the building and its importance to French and world history. A great book of you want to get a more rounded understanding of the building and it’s history..

Thank you Netgalley, Atlantic Monthly Press and James Gardner for free e-ARC in return of my honest review.

The comprehensive history of France through The Louvre from around X century to present day. The book explores how historical events influenced the Louvre and how it became as we know it now.

As a fan of France and Louvre in particular, I enjoyed this book a lot. I loved learning how Louvre was built and how it changes through centuries. How art collection was accumulated and how Louvre had become the citadel of World Art.

The writing style was a bit dry for my taste with probably too much information, at the same time I applaud the author for the research he had done. It is extensive to say the least.

If you like art, history and France, pock The Louvre up, you’ll enjoy it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Grove Atlantic for a copy of this text in return for an honest review.

Throughout Gardner’s fast paced history of the Western world’s most important encyclopedic art museum, we encounter, albeit briefly, the lives of the sovereigns, architects, and artists who crafted this fortress, turned palace, turned museum. This book reinforces the belief that buildings with such dense and overwhelming stories as the Louvre have ghosts that linger, that affect our interpretation of that space today.
Gardner demonstrates his ability as an art critic through rich descriptions of the Louvre’s collection. These passages are fascinating introductions to many of the museum’s greatest treasures, but they may leave more advanced students of art history seeking more. Still, Gardner’s text makes for an engaging primer and reference to the study of the Louvre. He has skillfully researched and synthesized 800 years of history in under 400 pages—an impressive feat, though an approach that values breadth over depth. He deploys a chronological approach to the narrative; yet many of his most interesting insights occur when he poetically connects the practices of the past to those of today.
Gardner’s history concludes with the opening of the Grande Louvre expansion in 1989. While this is a fitting end for his love letter to a treasured institution, he fails to contextualize the Louvre within current conversations affecting museums. Perhaps this was not the book to consider the implications of colonialism, but a nod to current cultural debates may have improved the epilogue’s saccharine outlook.
Overall, I would recommend this book to those keen on acquainting themselves with the Louvre’s expansive history. It might just leave you wanting more.

It was a very informative book! It was more like a reference book to me where you are learning facts and more about the history of the museum and how it became this Parisian icon. It is a good book if you are planning a trip there or just want to learn more about the famed museum. I expected more pictures in here about the museum and the changes over the years. It also talks about French history and how it played a role in the museum.

THank you for the ARC!
I unfortunately DNF'd this book - I do plan to pick it again in the future once things settle down.

The Louvre: The Many Lives of the World's Most Famous Museum by James Gardner is an extraordinarily researched book on one of the most amazing museums I have visited. This book is chocked full of information, stories, and lots of behind-the-scenes that The Louvre has to offer. I have been to The Louvre twice and had no idea of the extensive history of the building. Do not read this looking for a fluffy overview, it is expansive and full of details that will fascinate. This book is not about the art found inside the walls, but rather the rich history of the building itself.

The Louvre tells the story of the amazing building and its inhabitants from its beginning as a relatively small fort on the banks of the Seine River through its multiple renovations up to its current standing as the world’s largest and most storied museum.

While the content of the books is fascinating, it is sometimes hard to follow. The author seems to assume the reader is familiar with French history, notables, geography and the layout of the Louvre. Since its been over 50 year since I was in Paris, I often had to resort to researching on the Internet to find out what he was referencing. I read an ARC from NetGalley which had minimal illustrations and no plan of the Museum. I went to the book page on Amazon and was able to Look Inside the final Kindle version and see a map, which I snipped and pasted and printed and that helped somewhat. I spent as much time researching as I did reading, which broke the continuity of my reading. I don’t know what the hardback or paperback versions had to help with visualizing what the text covered.

I would recommend the book to anyone who is familiar with the Louvre and French history. It would make a great companion to a trip to Paris and the museum and its surroundings. There was an amazing amount of detail and information and I’m glad that NetGalley and the publisher allowed me a copy of the book. If I ever make it back to Paris, it will definitely go with me.

Thank you to the publisher and to Net Galley and the author for the opportunity for review. My review opinions are my own.

I highly recommend this book for all who are interested in The Louvre and its treasures. I suggest taking your time with this book and immersing yourself into the history of The Louvre. I knew some of the history of the Louvre but this is so detailed it was exemplary in the scope of information. The author fully details here the history not only of the museum but of the land the museum is on and its meaning to French history. I enjoyed the descriptions of the various times of history of France as they relate to The Louvre. The collections here are of course most enjoyable to read about especially for armchair travelers. I highly recommend this outstanding body of work .

Fascinating Yet Disappointing

I'll admit that I am a little disappointed in this book. The history of the grand old museum is actually a surprisingly fascinating read, tracing its roots from the Renaissance, through various Kings and emperors (and even a time when it was abandoned), to the modern day. I was hoping for more pictures of either inside the museum itself or of some of its works. There are some pictures of the art and a colorful map of the different parts within the Louvre. Even more disappointing is that the few pictures in the book are in black and white! This could have been a truly awesome work if it showcased more of the Louvre itself and its art—and if those photos had been in color!

#‘The Louvre ‘ by author # James Gardner is number one on my weekend stay at home list. If your going to buy a real book this is one to put on your list.Over nine million people visit from all over a year. Yet few, are aware of the interesting history of all the buildings, and historian # James Gardner tells the story wonderfully. With expert details he links the past to the present.
Thank you,
#Netgalley, #James Gardner, and # Grove Atlantic