During the somewhat peaceful years in France during the reign of Charles VII to Louis XII, the kings spent most of their time in the chateaux of the Loire Valley. That all changed with Francois I announced on March 15 1528 that he was returning to Paris and will reside in the Palais du Louvre.
The Louvre of the 16th century was a far cry from what we see today. Falling in a bit of disrepair and wanting a palace that would impress his rivals, Francois I asked one man to complete his vision.
On August 2, 1546, Francois I ordered French architect Pierre Lescot to create a new Louvre. Lescott had studied law at the University of Paris but it was his love of painting and architecture that drew him away. Francois, I died the next year just as the work was started, but his son Henri II would continue with his father’s plan. Lescot and sculptor Jean Goujon were the dynamic duos of the Renaissance and their masterwork completed one of the most beautiful rooms in the Louvre.
On the west side of the Sully wing, the two planned a grand hall for the lavish celebrations of the court. However, it wasn’t always going to be so large. The original plan had a staircase running through it, but Henri II altered his dad's plan a bit. Today that grand hall is the Salle des Caryatides, Goujon would add the Caryatides at the end holding up the musician's balcony that would lend their name to the room we know today. As for the staircase, it now runs just beyond the caryatides and is named after Henri II. Its ceiling is sculpted with hunting themes and the figure of Diana, the goddess of hunting but also the name of his mistress.
Today it is the oldest remaining part of the Louvre that is still left in its original glory.
Outside the facade is decorated with an oculus surrounded by the allegories of art and architecture, corinthian and composite columns, and windows that look out in the Cour Carrée.
Walking through the Cour Carrée almost every day I head to the right bank is one of my favorite things. I love to walk around and look up at all the bas reliefs left behind for us that tell the story of what is most important to the culture of France. Merci Lescot
