This museum is famous all over the world. It is the oldest museum in Paris. It is dedicated to a very long period from antiquity (egyptians, greeks, romans....) up to the first part of the XIXth century. The Louvre was originally built at a fortress. Around year 1200, near the city limits and the Seine river banks, the Louvre was considered and administered as an additional protection in the Paris defensive system by King Philippe Auguste's engineers. Built just before the departure of the King to the Crusades, its high walls were protecting the citizens from the river, from where invaders were always feared. The building did not yet host the political power, which was still moving. Prison, often keeping the royal treasure and armory, with lots of surrounding towers to protect the central dungeon, it was just one of the many fortresses where the Royalty was displaying its growing power.