Our history
Founded in 1882, the school is located in Paris, in the very heart of the Palais du Louvre.
Introducing the school
The École du Louvre is a higher education institution run by the French Ministry of Culture. It offers classes on art history, archaeology, epigraphy, anthropology and museology.
Founded in 1882, the school is located in Paris, in the very heart of the Palais du Louvre.
Its unique education system is built on a sensitive approach and the material study of works and collections within their original production background and presentation.
It offers its students a curriculum which includes three graduating cycles, as well as courses preparing for entrance exams for heritage curator and conservator positions.
Alongside this, the École du Louvre:
- Allows members of the public to access some courses meant for students (art and society history classes)
- Holds other classes open to a large number of members of the public, including evening classes, summer classes, short-term courses, junior classes and courses across the country (some in person and others remote)
- Helps train apprentice auctioneers
- Organises scientific symposiums, lectures and study days
- Publishes handbooks for students and books on specialised research
Classes and courses are in French and, in some instances, other languages.
All classes are available as part of further education schemes.
Our history
Creation of the École du Louvre as part of then-Prime Minister Jules Ferry's grand education project.
His mission was to "draw from collections the knowledge that they hold to educate the public and to train heritage curators, missionaries and excavators".
First dedicated to archaeology, the curriculum then broadens to all subjects related to art history.
Creation of the "general art history" course, the school's key class taught from 1902 by Salomon Reinach.
The first visit conferences are set up in museums.
The school, which has been open to members of the public since its foundation, creates evening classes for people already in employment, thanks to the initiative of Rachel Boyer, a member of state theatre company Comédie-Française.
These courses use the latest discoveries on camera projection and are shared via radio service TSF.
Creation of the world's first course in museum studies – also known as museography - which would later become the school's second programme.
Creation of the modern art department.
The first practical exercises in the field are set up.
The summer school is created.
Creation of the Paris department, a free and public course dedicated to the city's artistic heritage.
Courses are set up in other locations, outside of Paris. They are now held in 24 towns and cities across the country.
The school moves to a 53,819sqm space within the Flore wing of the Palais du Louvre. It becomes a public institution.
The second cycle diploma becomes a master’s degree.
The Égalité des chances, or equal opportunity programme, is launched in partnership with the Fondation Culture et Diversité, a private foundation which helps youngsters from deprived families start a career in the arts.
Creation of the first international master’s degree in art history and museology with the Heidelberg University, in Germany.
The École du Louvre becomes a shareholder of Agence France-Muséums, a company which provides consultancy services and is in charge of carrying out the Louvre Abu Dhabi project in the United Arab Emirates.
Creation of the ‘Art history and museum jobs’ master’s degree in Abu Dhabi, as part of the Sorbonne Abu Dhabi et du Louvre Abu Dhabi, in partnership with the art and archaeology department of the Paris IV Sorbonne University.
Creation of the École du Louvre’s research team.
Creation of Cahiers de l'École du Louvre, an online research publication.
The École du Louvre 2021-2022 project is launched, sponsored by Majid Boustany. It includes:
- library refurbishment
- creation of the research centre,
- renovation of the IT and documentation spaces
Student accommodation Maison des élèves de l'École du Louvre opens in the heart of Paris.
First online summer school.
First "Journées de la recherche", an annual study day dedicated to research organised by the school.
Official opening of the École du Louvre/Majid Boustany library.
Opening of the research centre.
The renovation of the IT and documentation spaces is carried out.
Creation of the ‘Post-Master Recherche en histoire de l’art, archéologie et muséologie’ diploma, a course in art history, archaeology and museology available for students who have already completed a master’s degree.
Creation of the curriculum for the second year of the school’s master’s degree, entitled ‘Biens sensibles, provenances et enjeux internationaux’ – sensitive goods, provenance and international stakes.
The school's first three-year programme becomes the equivalent of a French Licence degree.
