The Department of Egyptian Antiquities at the Louvre

The Department of Egyptian Antiquities owes its existence to several converging forces. Objects brought back from Napoleon Bonaparte's military and scientific campaigns in Egypt formed an early foundation. They were soon joined by the Durand, Salt and Drovetti collections, purchased on the recommendation of Jean-François Champollion under King Charles X.

The department officially opened in 1827 in nine galleries on the first floor of what is today the Sully wing, designed by architects Charles Percier and Pierre Fontaine. Champollion, the linguistic genius who deciphered the hieroglyphs in 1822 thanks to the Rosetta Stone, became its first director.

When the department opened, conservation techniques were not advanced enough to preserve the mummies brought back from archaeological digs. Most were therefore buried in Parisian cemeteries, leaving the museum with a single specimen, particularly well preserved, exhibited in the Sully wing. The choice may surprise, but it reflects a respect for the bodies and the ethics of the time.

The Louvre’s Department of Egyptian Antiquities is home to fascinating treasures spanning more than 4,000 years of history. Among the thousands of works on display, a few iconic pieces deserve special attention during your visit.

The Seated Scribe
A true masterpiece of the Old Kingdom, the famous Seated Scribe depicts a scribe sitting cross-legged, ready to write on a papyrus resting on his knees. Created in painted limestone around 2600–2500 BC, the sculpture is renowned for the realism of its gaze and the remarkable preservation of its details.
Location: Sully Wing, 1st floor, Room 22

Amun Protecting Tutankhamun
Discovered at Karnak in the 19th century, this monumental diorite statue depicts the god Amun protecting the young pharaoh Tutankhamun. Standing over two meters high, it leaves a striking impression and reflects the refinement of Egyptian art.
Location: Sully Wing, 1st floor, Room 25

Akhenaten and Nefertiti
This limestone sculpture portrays Pharaoh Akhenaten and Queen Nefertiti holding hands. Dating from their reign, it highlights the importance of the royal couple, who were regarded as divine figures. The artwork still retains traces of its original colors.
Location: Sully Wing, 1st floor, Room 25

The Chapel of the Mastaba of Akhethotep
Dating from around 2400 BC, this funerary chapel welcomed relatives of the deceased who came to leave offerings. Reconstructed inside the Louvre in the early 20th century, it allows visitors to step inside an authentic Egyptian funerary monument.
Location: Sully Wing, Ground floor, Room 4

The Hippopotamus Figurine
Among the many decorative objects displayed in the museum’s cases, this small blue faience hippopotamus immediately catches the eye. A symbol of fertility and rebirth, objects like this were placed in tombs to accompany the deceased into the afterlife.
Location: Sully Wing, 1st floor, Room 23
 

The Louvre’s Egyptian collection is an essential stop for both history enthusiasts and first-time visitors discovering the museum.

To extend the visit, walk through the Tuileries Gardens to Place de la Concorde, where the Luxor Obelisk stands. Gifted to King Charles X and France by Mehmet Ali, this is the right-hand obelisk of the pair that once flanked the entrance of the Luxor temple. It was erected in the square in 1836, completing the Parisian Egyptian itinerary opened by the Louvre.