This large glass and steel pyramid has around it three smaller pyramids.  The largest structure acts as the entrance to the Louvre.  It is 20.6 metres high and each side of its square base is 35 metres long.  The pyramid is composed of 603 rhombus shaped pieces of glass.

The Louvre says this of the pyramid, "Rising from the center of the Cour Napoléon, it is the focal point of the museum's main axes of circulation and also serves as an entrance to the large reception hall beneath. From here, visitors can also reach the temporary exhibition areas, displays on the history of the palace and museum, Charles V's original moat, an auditorium, and public amenities (coat check, bookshop, cafeteria, restaurant)."

The architect's website adds that, "A centrally located glass pyramid forms the new main entrance and provides direct access to galleries in each of the museum's three wings. Critically, the pyramid also serves as a skylight for a very large expansion building constructed under the courtyard to provide all the public amenities and technical support required in a modern museum."