8 Mind Blowing Facts About The Louvre

The Louvre Museum in Paris is not just one of the most famous art institutions in the world—it’s a monumental symbol of culture, history, and human creativity. Nestled along the banks of the Seine, this iconic museum draws millions of visitors each year to marvel at its stunning architecture, vast collection of art, and timeless masterpieces.

But beyond the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo, the Louvre has a rich history that makes it as intriguing as the art it houses. In this Paris Teachers Club blog, we’ll explore some fascinating facts about the Louvre that may surprise even the most seasoned art lover.

---

1. The Louvre Pyramid is a newer addition 

While the Louvre itself has been open as a museum for centuries, the Louvre Pyramid is a relatively new addition, and serves as the unique entrance to the museum from its courtyard. Opened in 1989 and constructed using hundreds of glass segments, the 70-foot high structure is just one of three pyramids added to the Louvre site! 

The Louvre Pyramid took four years to construct, was the creation of architect Ieoh Ming Pei, and while a controversial addition at the time, is today one of the most identifiable landmarks in the world. 

---

2. The entire contents of the Louvre are worth $35 billion 

The Louvre Museum in Paris, one of the world’s largest and most renowned cultural institutions, is estimated to hold a staggering collection worth over $35 billion. The museum’s impressive holdings include over 550,000 works of art and historical artifacts, spanning from ancient civilizations to the 19th century. The Louvre’s most prized possessions, such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa (valued at over $800 million), the Venus de Milo (estimated at $100 million), and the Raft of the Medusa by Théodore Géricault (worth over $70 million), contribute significantly to the museum’s overall value. Additionally, the Louvre’s vast collection of paintings, sculptures, and antiquities, including works by Rembrandt, Michelangelo, and Raphael, further solidify its position as one of the most valuable cultural institutions globally.

---

3. The Mona Lisa is the museum’s most valuable artwork 

The Mona Lisa, painted by Leonardo da Vinci in the early 16th century, is widely considered the most valuable painting in the world, with an estimated worth of over $1 billion. 

---

4. The Louvre opened to the public after the French Revolution 

First a fortress, then a royal palace and now a museum, The Louvre building dates back almost 1000 years. But it was the French Revolution that saw the enormous site transformed from a private collection reserved for the aristocracy to a public museum. Originally named after Napoleon, it then reverted to its original name, which is still possesses today.

---

5. It would take years to see all the art in The Louvre 

One of the most talked-about facts about the Louvre is how long it would take to see all of the pieces within the museum. Estimating the time needed to see all the art in the Louvre is challenging, as it depends on individual pace and level of engagement. However, a rough calculation is as follows. If you looked at each piece of displayed works for five minutes, it would take 175 days. And that’s not accounting for all works in storage, which would take years on their own!

---

6. The Louvre is the most visited museum in the world 

The Louvre Museumis the most visited museums in the world, attracting millions of visitors each year. In 2022, the museum welcomed approximately 7.7 million visitors, making it the most-visited art museum globally. To put that into perspective, that’s about 30,000 people per day, which is the daily limit the museum has set to ensure a comfortable experience for its visitors. 

---

7. The entire museum spans 35 acres

The Louvre Museum in Paris is massive, covering an area of approximately 210,000 square meters (2.3 million square feet). It spans four floors, 403 rooms, 67 staircases and 8 departments. This is larger than the White House in the USA! 

---

8. The Louvre doesn’t just house French art 

The Louvre Museum in Paris houses an extensive collection of art and artifacts from around the world, spanning over 7,000 years of human history. While 60% of its contents are French, it also has many other works from across the globe, including Ancient Egypt, Ancient Greece, The Middle East, Africa and Asia! 

---

What is your favourite of these facts about the Louvre?

Mingle with the Paris Teachers Club! We are on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Browse our other blogs for lots more about France, moving to and living in Paris and more.

Are you teaching English in Paris? Subscribe to us to receive notifications for upcoming catch-ups, news, opportunities, advice and more.

---