Le Trésor retrouvé du Roi-Soleil: the exceptional exhibition of Louis XIV’s monumental carpets at the Grand Palais
For the first time in centuries, the monumental carpets commissioned by Louis XIV for the Grande Galerie du Louvre are reunited under the glass roof of the Grand Palais. This ephemeral exhibition, entitled Le Trésor retrouvé du Roi-Soleil (The Sun King’s Treasure Regained), offers visitors a unique opportunity to admire works that have stood the test of time and history. Available for seven days only, these carpets tell a fascinating story of creation, dispersal and survival over the centuries. The event takes place in a prestigious setting, allowing visitors to discover these exceptional pieces in all their original grandeur and brilliance.
The extraordinary story of the Sun King’s carpets
Commissioned in the XVIIᵉ century by Louis XIV to decorate the Grande Galerie of the Louvre, these carpets were intended to reflect the power and prestige of the absolute monarch. Made by the greatest tapestry workshops, they blend technical expertise with sumptuous aesthetics. Yet, over the centuries, the fate of these carpets has been a turbulent one. Cut up, sold, moved to different places of power, or exposed to bombardment and war, they have almost disappeared several times. Each carpet bears witness to an extraordinary journey, combining political history, art and heritage preservation.
An exhibition about the resilience of heritage
Le Trésor retrouvé du Roi-Soleil not only presents these carpets as objets d’art: it sheds light on their dramatic journey and their rescue in extremis in the XXᵉ century. Visitors discover how certain pieces were cut up for preservation, how they traveled the world, and how they were finally brought together to celebrate the genius and vision of Louis XIV. Each carpet is accompanied by documents and analyses detailing its manufacture, symbolism and history.
An immersive and spectacular experience
The exhibition offers an extraordinary visual and sensory experience: the glass roof of the Grand Palais provides natural light that sublimates the colors and intricate patterns of the carpets. The tour invites visitors to wander among these monumental works, to appreciate their ornamental richness and to understand their role in the staging of royal power. Lovers of art, history and heritage will find this a complete cultural experience, combining aesthetic fascination with historical reflection.
Practical info
📍 Location: Grand Palais, Paris
📅 Dates: Ephemeral exhibition, for seven days
🕐 Times: 10:00 am – 7:00 pm
💶 Price: Ticket sales on site and online, information to be checked before the visit
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