POWER TAKES OFF FROM THE RIVER

THE LOUVRE WAS A FORT GUARDING ACCESS TO THE SEINE 

(FROM ABOUT 1200 TO 1500)

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It grew out so far along the river that it takes an aerial view to 

show its full extent:

     As imagined from the archives by Theodor Josef Hubert Hoffbauer toward 1885 /zoom 

The palace toward 1630

     Le Louvre en 1860, vu des Tuileries by Michel-Charles Fichot / zoom

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Palais-Royal nestles behind it. Prime Minister Richelieu  — France's "strong man" from 1630 until his death in 1643 and the villain of The Three Musketeers — built it as his palace, and bequeathed it to the king.

Maurice Leloir in Richelieu by Theodore Cahu,1900 

          Adapted from a plan in Open Street Map / zoom

              Vue du Palais Cardinal by Israël Sylvestre, 1650 / zoom

Its gardens would become the center of Parisian life.

Palais-Royal en 1679, anonymous / zoom

But first,

 a story that takes place at the Louvre.

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Next,

Fatal passion at the Louvre