Which French king built the Louvre's Grande Galerie?

King Henry IV built the Louvre’s Grande Galerie.

Henry IV launched the Grande Galerie as part of the Grand Dessein, an ambitious plan to enlarge the Louvre and connect it with the Tuileries Palace. Construction began in 1595, creating a long waterside wing along the Seine. The project strengthened the Louvre’s role as a royal residence while improving movement between the two palace complexes.

The gallery was completed in 1607, during the reign of Henry IV’s son, Louis XIII, although Henry IV directed and initiated the work. Architects associated with its construction include Louis Métezeau and Jacques II Androuet du Cerceau. The original passage was roughly 460 metres long, considerably longer than the room visitors see today.

The Grande Galerie did not begin as a public art museum. It became an exhibition space after the Louvre Museum opened in 1793. Today it is especially famous for its collection of Italian Renaissance paintings, including works displayed along the long gallery. Francis I is linked with major Renaissance rebuilding at the Louvre, but not with initiating this gallery.