What Are Hidden Stories About the Louvre Museum
The Louvre Museum, known as the world’s largest and most visited museum, is an iconic cultural institution in Paris. While it’s famous for housing the Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, and thousands of other remarkable artifacts, the Louvre also holds a trove of hidden stories and fascinating facts. Let’s explore some surprising aspects of this legendary museum that you may not have known.
1. The Louvre Was Originally a Fortress
Long before it became a museum, the Louvre was a medieval fortress built by King Philip II in the late 12th century. The purpose was to defend Paris from invasions, and its remnants, including the original foundation and moat, can still be seen in the museum’s lower levels. It wasn’t until the 16th century that King Francis I transformed it into a royal palace, and later, in 1793, it officially became a museum.
2. It’s the Biggest Museum in the World
The Louvre is so vast that it would take a visitor approximately 200 days to see everything if they spent just 30 seconds at each exhibit. Covering over 782,000 square feet, the museum has 35,000 works of art on display and a collection totaling over 615,000 pieces.
3. Napoleon Once Renamed It
During his rule, Napoleon Bonaparte renamed the Louvre the “Musée Napoléon” and took the liberty of filling it with stolen art from his conquests across Europe. However, after his defeat, many of these pieces were returned to their original owners.
4. The Mona Lisa Has Been Stolen Before
One of the most famous heists in art history occurred in 1911 when an Italian handyman named Vincenzo Peruggia stole the Mona Lisa. He hid inside the museum overnight and walked out the next day with the painting under his coat. His goal was to return it to Italy, believing it belonged there. It was recovered two years later in Florence, and the theft actually contributed to the painting’s immense fame.
5. A Secret Apartment Exists Inside the Louvre
In the 19th century, Louvre director Henri Loyrette had a small apartment built inside the museum, reserved for curators. While no one lives there now, it is occasionally used for exclusive events.
6. The Glass Pyramid Was Once Highly Controversial
Designed by Chinese-American architect I.M. Pei, the Louvre’s famous glass pyramid was added in 1989. While today it’s an iconic part of the museum, at the time of its construction, it was heavily criticized for being too modern and clashing with the classical architecture of the Louvre.
7. It Was Once a Nazi Storage Facility
During World War II, the Nazis occupied the Louvre and used it as a storage site for stolen art. However, thanks to the efforts of museum staff and resistance fighters, many of the most valuable pieces, including the Mona Lisa, had been secretly relocated before the occupation.
8. There’s an Underground Shopping Mall
Many visitors are surprised to find that the Louvre has an underground shopping center called the Carrousel du Louvre. It even includes a section of the museum’s ancient walls.
9. It’s Haunted, According to Legends
Some claim that the Louvre is haunted by spirits, including a famous ghost called Belphegor, who is said to wander the halls. There have also been rumors of eerie occurrences near the Egyptian artifacts.
10. It Hosts an Annual Secret Dinner
Each year, an exclusive, invite-only dinner is held inside the Louvre, where VIP guests dine among the world’s most treasured artworks.
11. The Louvre Holds Da Vinci’s Largest Collection
While the Mona Lisa is the museum’s most famous painting, the Louvre also has the largest collection of Leonardo da Vinci’s works in the world, including The Virgin and Child with Saint Anne and Saint John the Baptist.
12. There Are Miles of Underground Tunnels
Beneath the Louvre lies an extensive network of tunnels, some of which were used as escape routes for French royalty. Today, many of these tunnels are closed to the public, but they remain a fascinating part of the museum’s history.
13. It Has a Controversial Number of Glass Panes
There’s a long-standing myth that the Louvre’s glass pyramid is made up of exactly 666 panes, a number often associated with the occult. However, the actual number is 673, dispelling the myth.
14. More Visitors Come to See the Mona Lisa Than Any Other Piece
The Mona Lisa is undoubtedly the museum’s biggest attraction. Studies have shown that over 80% of visitors head straight to her display, often bypassing other masterpieces.
15. It Once Displayed the Crown Jewels of France
While the Louvre is known for its art collection, it also once housed the French crown jewels, including the stunning Hope Diamond before it was sold off.
16. Some Art Is Too Fragile to Be Displayed
Though the Louvre owns over 615,000 pieces, only a fraction are displayed at any given time. Many artifacts are stored due to their fragile nature or lack of exhibition space.
17. There’s a Louvre Museum Outside of France
In 2017, the Louvre Abu Dhabi opened in the United Arab Emirates, marking the first overseas expansion of the museum.
18. It Was Nearly Relocated During the French Revolution
During the chaos of the French Revolution, there were discussions about moving the Louvre’s collection to another location for safekeeping, but it ultimately remained in Paris.
19. The Louvre Was One of the First Public Museums
Before the Louvre, art collections were mostly restricted to royalty or the elite. When it opened in 1793, it was one of the first museums in the world to allow the general public to view its treasures.
20. It’s a Record-Breaking Museum
The Louvre consistently ranks as the most visited museum in the world, with over 7-10 million visitors annually, surpassing institutions like the Vatican Museums and the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.
The Louvre is a place rich in history, intrigue, and astonishing stories. From its medieval origins to its modern-day fame, the museum continues to captivate millions with its art, mysteries, and surprising secrets. Next time you visit, remember that every corridor and gallery holds a story waiting to be uncovered.
