The Louvre museum in itself is a work of art and inside the arts are at its best, I am proud to be a Friends of the Museum since 2008, I have written a more historical post on it but, found me older paper pictures, not the best quality, but should be in my blog, This post will be more on a part dear to me of the Louvre, the Napoléon III apartments, Therefore here is my take on the Musée du Louvre of Paris, part V !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
The museum was given idea on about 1793 under the French revolutionary government under the name of Museum Centrale des Arts de la République. it was later change to Museum Napoleon under the Empire before coming back to its current name Musée du Louvre. The idea was to centralised all the works from many places in one national museum. The best entrances are on the quai François Mitterrand, passage Richelieu, 99 Rue de Rivoli, and the Porte des Lions at the end of Pavillon Flore next to the Seine river to avoid as much as possible the crowds. It is the best so very popular, come in for the whole day at least.
The Napoleon III apartments constitute an exceptional testimony of decorative art under the Second Empire. They were set up between 1857 and 1861 as reception documents from the State Ministry Achille Fould. of the Emperor Napoleon III. They are a series of reception parts located in the Aile Richelieu wing of the Louvre. As Napoleon III and Empress Eugénie resided in the Palais des Tuileries (see post), The inauguration of these salons is made with a sumptuous costume ball on February 11, 1861. Remaining in a perfect state of conservation, these reception rooms were inaccessible to the public for more than a century. Indeed, following the fire in 1871 during the commune uprising of Paris , the building of the Ministry of Finance which extended from numbers 234 to 244 on rue de Rivoli, this ministry was transferred to the Richelieu wing, where he stayed until 1989. The Richelieu wing, awarded to the Louvre museum, was able to be refurbished in exhibition halls and inaugurated on November 18, 1993. The Napoleon III apartments, open to the public in January 2000. The Napoleon III apartments reopened in June 2024 after several years of renovation to make it spanking beautiful !
The imperial apartment has eleven pieces with incredible luxury representing the very quintessence of the Second Empire style. Polden, crimson red drapes, gold, chandeliers, stucco, marbles, bronzes and furniture testify to the taste of the time for luxury, ceremonial and comfort. The introductory gallery serves as the family room and the theater, The family room serves as a transition between the large and small apartments; The large living room or corner lounge is the largest and most sumptuous room. it could be arranged in theater and welcome up to 265 spectators. It is remarkable for her impressive Baccarat crystal chandelier, her ceiling painting ,and its capitated furniture, including confidant, two -seater armchairs, and prying, three -seater armchairs; The adjacent lounge-theater, from which the representations were played, is separated from the large living room by a real stage curtain; The small dining room houses a trompe-l’oeil painting representing an arbor; The large dining room has a huge table covered with silverware. It could accommodate more than 40 guests.
The bed is called “to the duchess” since the baldaquin is hung on the wall and is not supported by columns. Richly decorated with the weapons of France, Lys flowers and the cross of the Holy Spirit. The bedroom was that of Louis XVIII then Charles X that was save from the palais des Tuileries.
Napoleon I’s throne is an armchair with golden wood , feet and square uprights with pilasters with plant ornaments, accompanies surmounted by spheres in ivories with black diamonds, round backrest decorated with a torus of laurel leaves. It is garnished with blue silk velvet. The gold embroidery decor highlights the “N”, the initial of the emperor, as well as the palmettes and the flowers on the medallion of the file. This armchair was designed for the palais des Tuileries, The throne armchair, also served during the coronation of Napoleon in Notre-Dame Cathedral of Paris.
The Paris tourist office on the Louvre museum : https://parisjetaime.com/eng/culture/musee-du-louvre-p3489
The Friends of the Louvre museum : https://www.amisdulouvre.fr/
The official Louvre museum on the Napoléon apartments : https://www.louvre.fr/en/explore/the-palace/the-splendour-of-the-second-empire
There you go folks, again, one post,2 3 4 will not do justice to this marvel of our world, I did my small part in sharing it with my readers, friends and family. It is a must to visit while anywhere in France ,and more, Always looking forward to be back, eventually, Again, hope you enjoy this post on the Musée du Louvre of Paris, part V !!!
And remember, happy travels, good health,and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 