“Pharaoh Franu00e7ois’ Pyramid.” Ever heard that cheeky nickname? It’s one of many hurled at the Louvre Pyramid, right here on Avenue des Pyramides.
The Avenue des Pyramides isn’t just any street. It frames the approach to one of Paris’s most striking and debated landmarks. This avenue leads us to a structure that has become synonymous with the city itself the Louvre Pyramid.
President Franu00e7ois Mitterrand dreamed big for the Louvre. In 1981 he launched the Grand Louvre project. He wanted to modernize the museum. He picked I.M. Pei, a Chinese-American architect, in 1983. Pei envisioned a glass and metal pyramid in the Cour Napolu00e9on.
Imagine the scene in early 1984 when Pei revealed his design. A sleek, modern pyramid amidst the classic French Renaissance architecture of the Louvre Palace. It sparked immediate controversy.
Critics were not shy. They called it a sacrilege. Some thought it clashed horribly with the Louvre’s traditional style. Others believed a pyramid was a symbol of death. Political opponents even called it “Pharaoh Franu00e7ois’ Pyramid,” mocking Mitterrand. One particularly savage critic suggested the new space was just for rich people’s cocktail parties.
Pei’s design wasn’t just about aesthetics. The old entrance couldn’t handle the crowds. The pyramid served as a grand entrance. Visitors descend into a spacious underground lobby. From there, they can access different parts of the Louvre. Natural light floods the underground space and visitors can still glimpse the palace above.
The main pyramid is impressive. It stands 21.6 meters tall. Its square base measures 34 meters on each side. It’s made of 603 rhombus-shaped and 70 triangular glass segments. The sides slope at an angle similar to ancient Egyptian pyramids.
A persistent rumor claims the pyramid has exactly 666 panes. This is “the number of the beast.” Some conspiracy theorists believe the pyramid is dedicated to Satan. The Louvre officially denies this. It confirms a total of 673 panes.
The construction was no small feat. Nicolet Chartrand Knoll Ltd. from Montreal engineered the structure. Rice Francis Ritchie from Paris handled the construction phase. Vinci construction company carried out the work on the base and lobby.
The Louvre Pyramid wasn’t Pei’s first foray into pyramidal design. He’d previously used smaller glass pyramids for the National Gallery of Art’s East Building in Washington D.C.. He also included them in the IBM Somers Office Complex. Later, he used the concept for the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
There’s also an Inverted Pyramid in the Carrousel du Louvre shopping mall. It’s like an upside-down version of the main pyramid.
Initially designed for 4.5 million annual visitors, the Louvre’s attendance doubled by 2014. This led to a redesign of the foyer area beneath the pyramid.
Despite the initial uproar, the Louvre Pyramid has become a Parisian icon. Love it or hate it, it’s hard to deny its impact. It symbolizes Paris’s blend of history and modernity. As you stand here on Avenue des Pyramides, take a moment to appreciate this controversial yet captivating landmark. It is a testament to bold vision and architectural innovation.