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Did You Know These 15 Facts About the Louvre?
The Louvre Museum in Paris stands as one of the world’s most iconic cultural institutions. Home to countless masterpieces and historical artifacts, this magnificent landmark holds many fascinating secrets and surprising facts. Here are 15 remarkable facts about the Louvre that showcase its rich history and cultural significance.
1. Royal Beginnings
Originally built as a fortress in the 12th century under Philip II, the Louvre served as a royal residence for French monarchs until Louis XIV moved the court to Versailles in 1682. The building’s foundation remains visible in the Louvre’s basement, offering visitors a glimpse into medieval Paris.
2. World’s Largest Art Museum
The Louvre covers an astounding 782,910 square feet (72,735 square meters) of floor space, making it the largest art museum globally. The collection includes over 380,000 objects, with 35,000 works on display at any given time.
3. Mona Lisa’s Special Room
Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa resides in a custom-designed room with specific humidity controls, bulletproof glass, and its own security team. The painting’s insurance value is so high that it’s considered priceless and cannot be insured.
4. Underground Shopping Center
The Carrousel du Louvre, an underground shopping mall beneath the museum, features high-end boutiques, restaurants, and a reverse pyramid that mirrors I.M. Pei’s famous glass pyramid above.
5. Nazi Occupation History
During World War II, the Nazis used the Louvre as a storehouse for stolen art. Museum staff heroically managed to hide and protect many valuable pieces by secretly moving them to various locations throughout France.
6. Yearly Visitors
Before the global pandemic, the Louvre attracted approximately 10 million visitors annually, making it the most visited museum in the world. On average, 15,000 people visit daily, with peak times reaching 50,000 visitors.
7. The Pyramid Controversy
When I.M. Pei’s glass pyramid was proposed in 1984, it sparked intense controversy. Many Parisians considered it an architectural atrocity. Today, it’s become one of Paris’s most recognizable symbols, containing exactly 673 glass panes.
8. Hidden Apartments
The Louvre contains several historical apartments, including Napoleon III’s lavish State Apartments, which are open to the public but often overlooked by visitors focused on the main art collections.
9. Ancient Egyptian Collection
The museum houses one of the world’s largest collections of Egyptian antiquities outside of Cairo, with over 50,000 pieces, including mummies, sculptures, and artifacts spanning several millennia.
10. Art Theft History
The most famous art theft occurred in 1911 when the Mona Lisa was stolen by Vincenzo Peruggia, a Louvre employee. The painting was recovered two years later when Peruggia attempted to sell it to an Italian museum.
11. Secret Marks
Throughout the museum, there are small brass plaques marked with “Point Zéro” embedded in the floor. These marks indicate the exact point from which all distances from Paris to other cities are measured.
12. Resident Cats
Until the early 20th century, the Louvre maintained a population of cats to control rodents. These cats were officially on the museum’s payroll, with a budget allocated for their food and care.
13. Scientific Laboratory
The Louvre houses a state-of-the-art research laboratory where scientists and art historians work together to study, preserve, and authenticate artworks using cutting-edge technology.
14. Ghost Stories
Several ghost stories are associated with the Louvre, including tales of a “Red Man” said to be the spirit of a former treasurer who was murdered in the building during the 16th century.
15. Emergency Evacuation Plans
The museum has elaborate emergency protocols, including a system that can evacuate all artworks within 72 hours. This plan was last updated after the 2019 Notre-Dame fire, highlighting the importance of cultural preservation.
Conclusion
The Louvre’s rich history spans over eight centuries, evolving from a medieval fortress to the world’s most famous museum. These 15 facts merely scratch the surface of what makes this institution truly remarkable. From its architectural innovations to its priceless collections and historical significance, the Louvre continues to captivate millions of visitors while preserving humanity’s artistic heritage for future generations.