The Louvre museum expansion.

The last time the Louvre museum expanded to incorporate new buildings was 20 years ago when it took over the old ministry of finance building, but now the world famous museum is set to take over the Tuileries Gardens.

The idea was put to the Louvre museum by the ministry of culture who saw the logic of giving the Louvre Palace back its historical gardens.

However, the famous Orangerie and Jeu de Paume galleries which are situated in the gardens near Place de la Concorde will continue to remain independent.

It is thought that the Louvre museum will be able to put on much more ambitious exhibitions within the confines of the gardens, however it will also have the responsibility for their upkeep, which will be a hefty financial burden.

Ten million people visit the Tuileries gardens every year and the Louvre will have to manage this influx of visitors while at the same time developing exhibitions on the theme of gardening itself. This would continue the 500 hundred-year old tradition of the Tuileries gardens, which are considered by Parisians as a veritable artwork and spectacle in themselves.

The 19th century saw many floral exhibitions in the Tuileries gardens, but the first automobile fair was also held there in 1898.