Louvre

Louvre (Fr. L'ouvert, 'the opening'), an ornamental opening of a turret shape, placed on the roof, to allow the smoke or foul air to escape from large apartments, such as halls, kitchens, &c. These were particularly required in ancient times, when the fire was placed in the centre of the room, and there was no chimney to carry off the smoke. They are frequently used as ornaments where not required for use, and are then glazed and made into Lanterns (q.v.). The sides of the louvre were lined with horizontal overlapped boarding, with a space between the boards, which let out the smoke without admitting the rain. Hence, this sort of boarding, frequently used for the windows of bell-towers, &c., acquired the name of louvre-boardings.—For the palace of the Louvre, see PARIS.