France - Paris day 07 - Louvre Underground

 The Louvre was built on top of a fortress built in the 1100's and was renovated several times. This is a great model of the last incarnation before it was basically plowed over. to build the current structure.

 Here is the unburied remains of the castle, situated under the current Louvre. This image is taken in what would be the moat.

 Here is the central courtyard and on the right is the center tower base.

 Playing pieces and dice were found during the excavations.

 Here are inner walls and columns.

 This was the parade crown of King Charles the sixth's and was also found during the excavation.

This is a model showing where the old castle sat in reference to the current Louvre and how it would have looked with surrounding buildings back then.