The Louvre , in Paris, France, is one of the world's most visited art museums, a historic monument, and a national symbol. The collection contains nearly 35,000 pieces displayed over the structure's 60,000 square metres (650,000 sq ft). The museum is on the Right Bank, in the neighborhood referred to as the 1st arrondissement and lies between the Seine River and the Rue de Rivoli. The Louvre is slightly askew of the axe historique, a long architectural straightaway that cuts through the centre of Paris.