Welcome to the Louvre Museum, one of the most awe-inspiring landmarks in Paris, and possibly the world! As an American tour guide who leads groups through Paris every quarter, I have the privilege of exploring this vast treasure trove of art and history regularly. Each visit reveals new secrets and stories, and today, I’m excited to share some of these with you.
A Palace Turned Museum
The Louvre wasn’t always a museum. Originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under King Philip II, the building was transformed into a royal palace in the 16th century. It officially became a museum in 1793, during the French Revolution, when it was declared that the Louvre should be used to display the nation’s masterpieces. Walking through the Louvre, you’re literally strolling through centuries of French history.
A Home to Masterpieces
The Louvre houses over 380,000 objects and displays 35,000 works of art across eight curatorial departments. Imagine – it would take you over 100 days to look at every piece if you spent just 30 seconds on each! Among its many famous pieces, the Louvre is home to the Mona Lisa, the Venus de Milo, and the Winged Victory of Samothrace. Each of these iconic pieces has a backstory that adds to its mystique and allure.
The Glass Pyramid
One of the most recognizable features of the Louvre is its glass pyramid, designed by architect I.M. Pei and completed in 1989. While controversial at first, the pyramid is now beloved by many and serves as the main entrance to the museum. It perfectly juxtaposes the historical architecture with a touch of modernity, and at night, it lights up to create a magical effect against the dark sky.
The Mona Lisa’s Fame
The Mona Lisa, or La Joconde in French, is arguably the most famous painting in the world, and it resides right here in the Louvre. Painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, this portrait draws millions of visitors each year. Did you know that it’s protected by bulletproof glass and has its own room for display? The painting became even more famous after it was stolen in 1911 but fortunately was recovered two years later.
A Crowded Place
The Louvre is the world’s largest art museum and the most visited, with over 9 million visitors annually. Its vast halls and galleries spread over 652,300 square feet, equivalent to several football fields. The most popular times to visit are on weekends and Tuesdays, when other Paris museums are closed. If you plan to visit, I recommend coming early or on a late opening night to avoid the crowds.
Continuing our exploration of the Louvre, there’s an abundance of fascinating details that even frequent visitors might miss. Here’s more about the Louvre that I love to share with my tour groups:
A Royal Fortress
Before it became the royal palace and later the world-class museum we know today, the Louvre began its story as a medieval fortress. If you venture to the lower ground floor, you can see the remnants of the original fortress walls that date back to 1190, built by King Philip Augustus. This area, known as the Salle Basse, is often overlooked by visitors who are eager to see the more famous exhibits above ground.
Hidden Messages in Art
Many artworks in the Louvre are not only masterpieces of form and color but also contain symbols and hidden messages. For instance, the Raft of the Medusa, a powerful painting by Théodore Géricault, depicts a tragic shipwreck but is also a critical commentary on the French government of the time. The artist spent months interviewing survivors and constructing a detailed model of the raft to accurately capture the horror and heroism of the event.
Napoleon’s Influence
Did you know that the Louvre was once temporarily renamed “Musée Napoléon”? During Napoleon Bonaparte’s rule, he expanded the museum’s collection immensely, albeit through means that were sometimes less than ethical, as many pieces were spoils of war. While most of these artworks were returned after his defeat, the period added significantly to the museum’s reputation and collection.
The Louvre’s Ghost
Rumors say that the Louvre is haunted by a mummy called Belphegor. While it’s more of a fun legend than a verified fact, the tale adds a layer of mystery to the Louvre’s already rich history. The mummy supposedly roams the halls at night, and some say it brings bad luck to those who encounter it.
Art That’s Not Art
In one of the lesser-known wings of the Louvre, you can find a set of rooms dedicated to decorative arts. Here, objects of everyday use are transformed into works of art, from intricately designed clocks to beautifully crafted furniture. These pieces offer a glimpse into the lives of the people who used them and reflect the artistic trends of their time periods.
Unseen Collections
It’s estimated that only 8-10% of the Louvre’s vast collection is on display at any given time. The rest is held in storage, partly due to space constraints and partly for conservation reasons. This hidden trove includes everything from ancient Egyptian artifacts that are too fragile to exhibit continuously, to paintings and sculptures that are rotated periodically to give visitors a chance to see new works.
As we wrap up this part of our blog, remember that every visit to the Louvre can offer new discoveries, no matter how many times you’ve walked its halls. Next time, we’ll delve into some specific artworks and the stories behind them, uncovering the secrets that make each piece unique. Join me as we continue to explore the artistic wonders of the Louvre!
Stay tuned for more fascinating stories and trivia about the Louvre as we dive deeper into specific artworks and lesser-known corners of the museum in the next part of this blog. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just curious about history, the Louvre has something to captivate everyone. Join me next time for more adventures in the heart of Paris’s art world!
