The hidden underground passages of the Louvre: remains of a medieval fortress

The Louvre, before being a palace, was a fortress built by Philippe Auguste in the 12th century to protect Paris. Beneath the museum, remains of this medieval structure are still visible today, in the underground rooms accessible to visitors. These impressive foundations immerse visitors in the heart of the military history of the French capital.

The moat , walls and defensive structure, rediscovered during 20th-century excavations, show the Louvre's transformation from fortress to palace to museum. These mysterious underground passages are a must-see for history buffs.

In our online gallery you will find contemporary works inspired by these vestiges of the past, where history and art meet.

The Louvre’s underground passages are shrouded in mystery and legend. Beneath the museum, a series of tunnels and secret passages have long captured the imagination of visitors and historians alike. Here are some fascinating details about these underground passages:

History and function:

• The Louvre's underground passages date back to the time when the museum was still a medieval fortress . The original fortress, built by Philippe Auguste in the late 12th century, featured an extensive network of underground passages used for defense and communication.
• When the Louvre became a royal palace , some of these tunnels were transformed for the needs of the court, serving for discreet travel or as warehouses.

Archaeological discoveries:

• During renovations to the Louvre in the 1980s, and during construction of the pyramid in 1989, excavations uncovered the foundations of the original fortress, revealing forgotten parts of the underground passages.
• Today, visitors can explore some of these remains, including the foundations of Philippe Auguste 's keep, visible in the medieval Louvre museum .

The legends:

• Many legends surround these underground passages. One of the most famous is that of the ghost of the Louvre , a mysterious character who is said to haunt the underground galleries.
• There are also stories of tunnels leading to secret rooms containing hidden treasures, although these legends are never verified.

Modern use:

• Some of the underground passages are now used for art storage or for museum logistics . Some of the tunnels are still unexplored or inaccessible to the public, which further fuels the mystery surrounding them.

The Louvre's underground passages continue to evoke a hidden world beneath visitors' feet, bearing witness to the layers of history that make up this monument.