Discover Paris: Top 7 Astonishing Fun Facts About the Louvre You Never Knew!

1. From Fortress to Art House

Once upon a time in medieval France, a grand fortress said, "I've got your back," as it shielded Paris from England's invasion cravings. Little did it know that centuries later, it'd trade its walls and towers for paintings and sculptures: The Louvre was initially built as a 12th-century defensive stronghold featuring a cylindrical tower, a withstanding curtain wall, and ten towers for extra reinforcement. Eventually, kings like Charles V made royal renovations, and the Louvre transformed into a museum in the 18th century, proudly housing some of the world's most awe-inspiring art.
Source => paris.cdh.ucla.edu

2. Napoleon's Grand Larceny

They say imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but Napoleon Bonaparte preferred grand larceny, especially when it came to famous artworks: During his conquests, he seized masterpieces like Veronese's The Wedding Feast at Cana and the Laocoon from Italy, the Vatican, and other territories, with the aim to "unite the greatest masterpieces of art in Paris" and inspire French art seizures in sub-Saharan Africa a century later.
Source => irishtimes.com

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=> Fun Facts about Sculptures

3. The Great Object Exaggeration

Before it housed priceless works of art and baffled tourists with its enigmatic smile, the Louvre had a more 'fort'-y past: Originally built as a fortress in the late 12th century under Philip II, the Louvre Palace has since undergone numerous expansions and now showcases over 35,000 artifacts – just don't believe the 380,000 objects claim!
Source => museums.eu

4. Louvre Mania: No Da Vinci Code Required

Thank the heavens for Mona Lisa's smile and those free Friday fiestas for young folks – looks like il est très amusant to hang out in one of the world's most prestigious art houses after all: In 2005, the Louvre swelled with popularity, recording approximately 7.3 million visitors, becoming one of the hottest stops in Paris – and, surprisingly, it wasn't just Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code sparking the tourist frenzy, but rather a mix of gripping exhibitions and a decline in gallery closures that drew in crowds by the millions.
Source => cabi.org

5. Living Lavishly in the Louvre

When life gives you a museum, make it your palace: The Louvre not only hosts some of the world's most renowned art but also the Margerie family, including the director of museums of France, Emmanuel Jacquin de Margerie. Since 1975, they've been living in a private apartment within the historic walls, complete with drawing rooms, a dining room, and bedrooms overlooking the Seine, proving residential goals can get truly Louvre-ly.
Source => washingtonpost.com

6. The Irony of the Tactile Gallery

In a "touch" of irony that even the blind could see: The Louvre museum once had a Tactile Gallery specifically for visually impaired visitors, featuring tactile sculptures and audio-described tours, but it has since closed down, leaving many disappointed and frustrated by the lack of accessibility.
Source => hannah-thompson.blogspot.com

7. The Louvre Art Staycation

While the Mona Lisa played an artful game of hide-and-seek during World War II, the Winged Victory of Samothrace and Venus de Milo lounged at Château de Valençay – it's like they were on an unplanned vacation and ended up with a staycation: The Louvre's art collection was carefully evacuated to various castles and abbeys, including the Château de Valençay, to keep it safe from the grasps of the Nazis, while the Mona Lisa bounced from location to location before landing at the Musée Ingres in Montauban.
Source => en.wikipedia.org