Musée du Louvre in Paris, France and Fine Arts Museums in San Francisco, US are set to collaborate on a series of exhibitions over the next five years.

The international accord includes plans to share significant works of art from both museums' collections with audiences in San Francisco and Paris.

The partnership will see collaborations on publications, art conservation projects and public education programs.

The two institutions will work together to identify art works to be made available for short or long-term loans.

Curators at both museums said that while specific works of art were still being discussed, the loans might include whole exhibitions or single objects that could augment parts of their permanent collections.

The accord highlights the desire of both institutions to broaden their outreach internationally.

Other examples of these efforts include The Medusa by Gian Lorenzo Bernini to the Legion of Honor, the anticipated January 2013 opening of Girl With a Pearl Earring: Dutch Paintings from the Mauritshuis at the de Young, and the Louvre Abu Dhabi.

Richard Benefield, deputy director of the Fine Arts Museums, said: "It is incredibly exciting to be involved in bringing to the public, both in Paris and San Francisco, great works from our two illustrious institutions.

"The accord will not only bring forth new scholarship through the collaboration of our colleagues, but it will also give our visitors the opportunity to see great works of art from both museums in ways that would otherwise not be possible.”