I.M. Pei's crystalline provocation — when geometry met history and both won
Glass and metal pyramid in the main courtyard of the Louvre Palace.
Featured in I. M. Pei's definitive monograph, I.M. Pei: Complete Works.
Visitor Guide
Enter through the Pyramid at golden hour when it glows. The underground lobby is as impressive as the museums above. At night, illuminated, it's one of the most photogenic buildings in the world.
From the Cour Napoléon fountain at sunset. At night with the Louvre wings reflected in the surrounding pools. Inside, looking up through the glass lattice at the sky.
The Pyramid is the main entrance to the Louvre. You pass through it into the underground hall. Book Louvre tickets with timed entry to avoid the line.
Pei specified cable-supported glass with minimal steel framing to maximize transparency — at the time, this engineering was unprecedented at this scale. The inverted pyramid below in the Carrousel du Louvre is equally stunning and far less crowded.
20 minutes (pyramid itself)
Design & Structure
Pei's geometry is precise: the pyramid has the exact proportions of the Great Pyramid of Giza. The structural system uses cable-stayed glass panels — the triangulated steel and cable net minimizes visual obstruction. This was computational engineering before the term existed.
Laminated glass panels (603 diamond-shaped and 70 triangular), steel cables, stainless steel nodes. Pei insisted on special glass with minimal green tint to maintain transparency. The surrounding fountains and pools were designed as reflecting elements.
More by I. M. Pei
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Louvre
State University of New York at Fredonia
University of Rochester
Cornell University
Syracuse University
Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Nearby in 1st arrondissement of Paris
Frequently Asked Questions
Who designed Louvre Pyramid?+
Louvre Pyramid was designed by I. M. Pei and completed in 1981. It is located in 1st arrondissement of Paris, France.
Where is Louvre Pyramid located?+
Louvre Pyramid is located in 1st arrondissement of Paris, France. Its coordinates are 48.8610°, 2.3359°.
When was Louvre Pyramid built?+
Louvre Pyramid was completed in 1981. It was designed by I. M. Pei.
Can I visit Louvre Pyramid?+
Louvre Pyramid is a real building in 1st arrondissement of Paris that can be viewed from the outside. Check local information for interior access and visiting hours. Use the Parametric Atlas walking tour feature to plan a route that includes this building.