10 Hidden Gems of the Louvre, The World's Most Popular Museum

For countless visitors around the globe, exploring the Louvre is a top priority when traveling to Paris. This renowned museum, the most frequented in the world, spans nearly two miles in façade and boasts an impressive collection of artistic treasures (with 38,000 pieces on display and an additional 422,000 tucked away). The Louvre employs a total of 2,290 individuals, including 65 curators and 145 conservators. Notably, 1,200 of these staff members are security personnel. Additionally, the museum has a dedicated team of 48 firefighters available around the clock. This iconic institution holds numerous secrets within its esteemed walls, just waiting to be uncovered.

Initially constructed as a royal palace by François I

The Renaissance monarch known for the stunning castles in the Loire Valley actually demolished a 12th-century fortress on the right bank to create the Louvre palace. Construction commenced in the mid-1500s, but only a section of the building was finished. Each subsequent French king expanded the structure: if you look closely, you can identify various architectural styles. One of the most remarkable features is the Colonnade, designed by Louis Le Vau, Claude Perrault, and the painter Charles Le Brun, whose artistry can be appreciated in the Apollo Gallery.

You can still catch a glimpse of the original moat

Although the 13th-century fortress erected by King Philippe Augustus was dismantled, archaeologists uncovered the original moat 23 feet beneath the Cour Carré during the construction of the glass pyramid. Today, you can view it in the medieval section of the Sully wing.

It took two centuries for the entire building to evolve into a museum

Louis XIV was the final king to reside in the Louvre—he relocated his court to Versailles in 1682. In 1793, amid the French Revolution, the Musée Central des Arts opened to the public in the Grande Galerie. Both Napoleon Bonaparte and Napoleon III contributed to the Louvre's expansion, enhancing their own prestige. However, it wasn’t until 1993 that the entire building was utilized as a museum for the first time.

A significant number of the artworks in the Louvre were seized by Napoleon as war trophies

Numerous French kings were avid art collectors and enlisted the era's most skilled architects to enhance the building, but many of the museum's most remarkable pieces were taken during Napoleon’s military campaigns in Italy, Egypt, and beyond.

I.M. Pei’s iconic glass pyramid sparked considerable debate

The glass pyramid, designed by American architect I.M. Pei, is now regarded as a symbol of the Louvre itself. However, when it was unveiled in 1989, many critics deemed it "sacrilegious" for altering the historical palace's architectural integrity. Intended to accommodate 4.5 million visitors annually, the Louvre welcomed 8.6 million guests in 2015. A significant renovation project is currently underway to ease the long queues by reorganizing the entrances and reception areas around the pyramid.

The museum’s largest painting is displayed in the same room as the Mona Lisa

While the Mona Lisa is undoubtedly the Louvre’s most renowned painting, many are unaware that the museum's largest artwork is also housed in the same room. The Wedding Feast at Cana by the Venetian Renaissance master Veronese is sometimes confused with the Last Supper, yet it actually depicts Christ’s first miracle of turning water into wine.

Fans of Da Vinci Code can explore a themed route through the museum

The Louvre offers several official routes designed to assist visitors in navigating its vast expanse, with one inspired by Da Vinci Code. By taking this route, you’ll follow the journey of protagonists Robert Langdon and Sophie Neveu and learn to distinguish fact from fiction. Additionally, you can participate in a themed scavenger hunt organized by THATLou.

You can discover what the building looked like during Napoleon III’s era

Nestled in a secluded corner of the Richelieu wing, Napoleon III’s drawing room provides visitors with a glimpse of how the opulent palace appeared when the emperor used it for state occasions.

Bypass the queue and become a Louvre aficionado

To avoid the crowds, you can buy tickets at any FNAC bookstore (the $1.75 extra charge is definitely worth it) and enter through the Passage Richelieu. Download the museum’s official app ($1.99) for curated routes and commentary from the curators. You can even arrange your own evening at the museum, which is open until 9:45 pm on Wednesdays and Fridays.

The Louvre continues to add new artworks

Although the museum's collection only features art created up to the 19th century, it is still actively acquiring new works. Recently, the Louvre announced a joint purchase with the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam of two portraits by Rembrandt—his only full-length portraits. These will be on display until June 13, 2016, before being transferred to the Rijksmuseum.