Napoleon III Apartments, Historical state apartments in Louvre Palace, France.
The Napoleon III Apartments are a luxury residence within the Louvre comprising eleven rooms decorated with gold leaf, silk, and crystal chandeliers that showcase mid-19th century opulence. The layout combines private living spaces with formal reception rooms and preserves a complete interior from that period.
Built between 1857 and 1860 by architect Hector Lefuel, these rooms were designed as the official residence of the Minister of State during France's Second Empire. This period represented a time when Napoleon III sought to reshape French architecture and demonstrate imperial grandeur.
The apartments reflect how wealthy and powerful ministers lived during the Second Empire, through their furniture, decorations, and room layouts. Visitors can see how important people of that time worked and hosted guests, from private offices to grand reception spaces.
The apartments are located on the first floor of the Richelieu wing and are easily accessible from the Louvre's main entrances. Visitors should allow ample time to walk through all the rooms slowly and observe the decorative details throughout.
The main salon was designed to function as both a reception room and a performance space, with a dedicated platform for musicians positioned above the main floor. This dual-purpose design reveals how these rooms adapted to host both formal gatherings and cultural events.
Location: Paris
GPS coordinates: 48.86061,2.33748
Latest update: December 6, 2025 17:41
The Versailles region and its surroundings feature a notable collection of historic sites, museums, and landscaped areas that showcase centuries of French history. Beyond the famous chateau, visitors can explore sites like the Queen's Hameau in the Versailles park, a rustic retreat of Marie Antoinette, or the Château de Malmaison, which preserves furnishings and decor from the First Empire. The Napoléon III Apartments at the Louvre demonstrate the splendor of the Second Empire, while the Domaine de Marly-le-Roi reflects the grandeur of Louis XIV's reign. Local museums host diverse collections, from Rodin's sculptures displayed in his former private residence to Maurice Denis's symbolist works at the Saint-Germain-en-Laye Priory. The Gustave Moreau Museum holds over 1,300 paintings and 5,000 drawings in the artist's former home. Gardens are also a major draw: Sceaux Park stretches over a mile with 17th-century geometric pathways, while Albert Kahn Gardens offer a journey through Japanese, French, and English landscape styles. These sites allow visitors to explore French cultural history through architecture, decorative arts, and garden art.
Venus de Milo
77 m
Winged Victory of Samothrace
87 m
Psyche Revived by Cupid's Kiss
85 m
Regent Diamond
12 m
Cour Carrée
83 m
Hommes illustres
67 m
Aile Lescot
38 m
Fontainebleau Nymph
18 m
Bust of Cardinal Richelieu
98 m
Pavillon du Roi
75 m
Medieval Louvre
62 m
Petite Galerie
105 m
Sully Wing
84 m
Cour Napoléon
81 m
Pavillon Colbert
87 m
Rotonde d'Apollon
71 m
Pavillon Daru
88 m
Jardin de l'Oratoire
109 m
Cour du Sphinx
111 m
Pavillon des Arts
112 m
Fontaine de la cour Carrée
83 m
Rotonde de Beauvais
70 m
Aile Nord
110 m
Henri II Stairwell
13 m
Fountain of the Louvre Pyramid
99 m
Aile Lemercier
41 m
Aile Colbert
111 m
Aile de l'Oratoire
102 mReviews
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