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the aimof defending the city by impeding apotential invasion. However, this original functionwas quickly replaced after the palace found itself gradually trapped as a consequence of the city’s growth. It consequently lost its defensivepurpose and became the royal residenceduring the reignof Charles V, who made the Louvre into apolitical emblem and status symbol. It was under thatmonarch’s reign that the Louvrewas endowed with amagnificent librarywhich held close to a thousand manuscripts, clear proof of the king’s intellectual curiosities – he was known as “Charles theWise” for a reason. Old foundations of themedieval Louvre still remain, in the foundations of the tower and theSaint Louis throne room knownby the name “Saint Louis”. Throughout theHundredYearsWar the French rulers, accustomed to residing at somedistance fromParis, preferred to live in the LoireValley, only occasionally travelling to the capital. However, the situation changedunder Francis I of France, whodecided to set uphis residence inParis, decorating thepalace to his liking and subjecting it to various reconstructions. Hismain contributionwas adapting the older features (like theCorinthian columns of the façade) formore modern tastes (largepicturewindows and high rooves). After the accidental deathof Henry II – fourth sonof Francis I – in a tourney, hiswifeCatherinede’Medici made the important decision to acquire someplots of land adjoining the Louvre, where therewere some nurseries and a small tile factory. Her intentionwas to cultivate a large garden andbuild apalazzo for her enjoyment. Although at first the ideawas for this land tomaintain a certain independence from the Louvre, it was merged shortly after, with Les Tuileries converted into a holiday residence surroundedby gardens. To connect the twobuildings, an impressive gallery of almost half a kilometre in lengthwas constructed, beneathwhichwereplaced the stables, the royal printinghouse, amintingworkshop and,most curiously, lodgings formany of the king’s protégé artists. The reignof Louis XIVopened a new chapter in the history of the Louvre andof Les Tuileries, not because of theKing’s Vista aéreadel Palaciodel Louvre/ The LouvrePalace seen from an airplane FotoMatthiasKabel. Lic. CreativeCommons. Cúpulade la Torredel Reloj en el patio cuadradodel Louvre/ Topof theClock Tower in theSquareCourt (Court Carree) of the Louvre . Foto/PhotoKen andNyetta. 141