ART

The Age of the Pyramid--dormant in France since Napoleon I “conquered” Egypt in 1799--has returned to Paris, thanks to the new 71-foot-tall glass pyramid that architect I. M. Pei constructed for the renovation of the Louvre. The pyramid, which opened to the public Friday, serves as the refurbished art museum’s new entrance, and French President Francois Mitterrand cut a tricolored ribbon leading to the Cour Napoleon, the pyramid itself and the rest of the vast esplanade between the museum’s two main wings, closed to the public for four years. Pei himself was also on hand to inaugurate the $15-million pyramid. “It’s like a jewel, a diamond sparkling in the outdoors,” said Christiane Weiler, a visitor from Toulon. “It’s much more beautiful than I expected.”