When speaking of the world-famous Louvre Museum in Paris, France, one of the first things that come to mind is the grandiose architecture and art collection it houses. As majestic as the interiors of the Louvre are, there’s a lesser known, underground part of the museum that many visitors don’t see. Is Louvre’s underground air-conditioned? Is there even anything down there? This article will answer all these questions and provide a comprehensive glimpse into the hidden world of the Louvre Museum’s hidden underground.
First, let’s look at the logistics of the Louvre’s underground. Built shortly after the museum opened in 1793, the basement of the Louvre is a complex network of corridors and rooms that run underneath the museum’s grandiose halls and galleries. The underground consists of four floors and spans an area of approximately 22,000 square meters, making it one of the largest basement areas of the city.
Since the Louvre is located in the heart of Paris, it isn’t surprising that the museum lies on top of a labyrinth of catacombs that date back centuries. These tunnels, which are connected to the museum’s underground, are home to an array of mysterious artifacts that historical societies believe date back to the 1st century AD. Additionally, it houses a number of chambers, vaulted rooms, and galleries that are frequently used for storage. As for the temperature in the Louvre’s basement—it is air-conditioned and insulated to ensure the preservation of the vast art collection, as well as the catacomb’s historical artifacts.
In terms of its function, the Louvre’s underground primarily serves as a storage room and custodial service center. The vast majority of the museum’s priceless artifacts are kept in the basement and managed meticulously by dedicated custodians. Additionally, the museum’s climate-controlled underground is essential in preserving the vast collection of art, which includes works of art by renowned artists such as da Vinci, Michelangelo, and Rembrandt.
The Louvre’s underground is also home to a number of other facilities, such as restrooms, a cafeteria and an auditorium, which are used for lectures, concerts, and other kinds of cultural events. Although these facilities are accessible to visitors, the vast majority of the museum’s underground is off-limits and strictly for staff.
Security Measures
Given the value of the artifacts and artwork stored in the Louvre’s underground, security measures are paramount. The Basement is constantly monitored with CCTV cameras and strict procedures control the movement of personnel and visitors.
Moreover, the Louvre Museum has employed various security personnel such as guards, custodians, and surveillance operators to ensure the safety and security of the priceless art stored in the underground. Additionally, the Louvre Museum also employs special curators, whose sole responsibility is to watch over the artworks in the museum’s basement and conduct routine inspections to make sure they are in pristine condition.
Additional Facilities
The Louvre’s underground contains various other facilities which are not commonly known, but are essential to the functioning of the museum. One of the most prominent is the museum’s own power station, which provides electricity to the entire site. It is also home to a storage area for the museum’s archives, where important documents and artifacts are protected from the elements.
Apart from these, the Louvre’s underground is regularly used for temporary exhibition showcases. Visitors can purchase tickets for some of these exhibitions and enter the underground galleries to view some of the museum’s treasured artifacts. Additionally, the underground is also used for research purposes and is the site of various scientific studies conducted by historians and archaeologists.
Louvre Archeological Crypt
One of the museum’s most prominent attractions is its subterranean Archaeological Crypt. Opened in 1983, the crypt contains a collection of artifacts unearthed during excavations of the Louvre and its surrounding region. It houses statues, pottery, coins, and other objects dating back to the Roman Empire. Visitors to the crypt are allowed to wander its halls and view some of the unique objects found in the area.
The Crypt also holds a special place of honor in the Louvre Museum, as it reflects the museum’s ongoing commitment to preserving and displaying its regional history. Other items from other archaeological sites around the world are displayed on site at the Louvre, reflecting the museum’s international recognition.
Conservation Efforts
Through its underground, the Louvre Museum also dedicates itself to the conservation of its priceless artifacts. In addition to providing safe storage and conditioning, the museum also tries to protect its collection from potential damage, theft, and vandalism. This is done through the use of advanced security measures and security systems, such as the thermal monitoring system.
Furthermore, the Louvre Museum has implemented various educational initiatives to inform visitors about the value of the artifacts stored in its basement and to increase their appreciation of the collection. The initiatives involve special tours of the underground and guided visits to the Museum’s various archaeological sites.
Events and Programs
Over the years, the Louvre Museum has opened its underground to various events and educational programs. Its vault and galleries are known to host a broad range of activities, such as lectures, workshops, and other events. Additionally, the Museum’s underground is rented out to educational institutions, companies, and other organizations for special events.
Speaking of educational programs, the Louvre also has a variety of educational tours and workshops that take place in its underground. The tours, which are led by professional curators and experts, give visitors an in-depth look at the museum’s underground, showcasing various artifacts and explaining their history and significance. Similarly, the museum’s workshops are meant to encourage visitors to explore and think critically about the topics they’re exploring.
Conclusion
As mentioned, the Louvre Museum’s underground is an integral part of the museum and it houses valuable artifacts, facilities and numerous security measures. The museum’s underground serves as a secure storage room for the artworks and artifacts, and it also serves as a place for conservation and educational programs. Although visitors can’t enter the underground, they can still experience it through various tours and workshops that the museum regularly organizes. All in all, the Louvre’s underground is a place of mystery, history and unparalleled beauty.
