Mesopotamia in the Louvre - 2 hours Private themed tour with
cradle of civilization
Inside the Louvre lies an ancient collection that transports us back in time across eons, reaching back to the earliest days of civilization. Here, in the Mesopotamian collection, you can relive this epic era when kings first rose great buildings out of the sands toward the heavens.
Discover Mesopotamia
The land between the two rivers
Nestled between the mighty Tigris and Euphrates rivers (present-day Iraq), this area saw the rise and fall of civilizations spanning 3,000 years.
It began with the invention of agriculture some 12,000 years ago. With two great rivers and their tributaries, cultivation was easy and plentiful. Though the region is now dry, at the time it teemed with fertility. This led to the steady production of cereal crops (grasses that produce edible grain), which provided enough food for people to settle in one place for a long time.
And what did they do as they settled?
By the time history started to be recorded (3100 BCE), the area was already thriving.
They worshipped the sacred in more and more elaborate ways.
They established legal codes and built economies that traded across continents.
They created artwork to celebrate gods and monarchs.
And no — they did not need to reinvent the wheel… because they invented it.
Mesopotamian civilizations were pioneers of innovation. Alongside the invention of the wheel, they developed some of the earliest systems of mathematics and laid the foundations of astronomy, shaping knowledge that still influences our world today.
It is here that Sumeria, Akkadia, Assyria, and Babylon rose and fell. They left behind stunning artifacts, grand architectural achievements, and so much art.
In 539 BCE, Cyrus the Great of the Achaemenid Empire conquered the lands. And though his kingdom held them for only two centuries, the area continued under foreign domination until only very recently.
A guided tour through the Mesopotamian treasures
An Unforgettable Experience
An Unforgettable Experience
An Unforgettable Experience
Take a walk through this legendary collection, tracing the rise of human civilization, the birth of legal codes, the victories and defeats of great kings, and the artwork that adorned palace walls.
If you’ve ever yearned to experience this era, this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
Meet Your Private Guide
An Unforgettable Experience
An Unforgettable Experience
Our guides are fully certified guide-conferencier but some of us are more expert in Egyptology and Assyriology.
Their extensive knowledge of the period means you can explore any topic that interests you in-depth. And because this tour is private, your group won’t need to compete with anyone else. You get full access to your guide for the entire time.
Our Commitment
An Unforgettable Experience
Our Commitment
Flore Gurrey will only match you with the perfect tour guide through this world-class collection of ancient art and artifacts.
We will take care of all the details : the right tickets, the right time to do the tour when these rooms are open, the right guide for you.
The mesopotamian Collection of the Louvre
a handful of wonders that await you
The Louvre’s Mesopotamian artifacts represent the most ancient pieces in its entire collection. And they bring us into intimate connection with our deepest past.
Ain Ghazal Statue
This is the single oldest piece in the entire Louvre. Dating back 9000 years, the work was produced by mounting plaster over a reed.
The work was then likely immediately buried, perhaps as part of a religious ritual. Today, its haunting face stares back at us through bitumen-outlined eyes, looking across millennia.
The Lamassu
The Law Code of Hammurabi
The Law Code of Hammurabi
These impressive protective spirits stand in all their stunning presence before us with the human heads, lion bodies, and angelic wings. There are two, so they formed an entranceway for visitors to the palace of Sargon II, king of Assyria, who reigned at the end of the 8th century BCE.
The Law Code of Hammurabi
The Law Code of Hammurabi
The Law Code of Hammurabi
On this basalt stele reads the law code of Hammurabi, king of Babylonia. Chiseled sometime in the 18th century BCE, it is extremely ancient and one of our earliest examples of a public legal document.
It covers laws regulating everything from marriage to agriculture. Most famously, the principle of “an eye for an eye” is used to determine the punishment for many crimes.
How the Collection Came to Be
For the French, the 19th century was nothing if not adventurous.
During this time, the country sent many expeditions into the East to uncover the past. They were often looking for evidence that might corroborate Biblical narratives. And they were also driven by the ever-increasing fairy tales set in the Middle East, as well as paintings of these mysterious lands.
It was a trend that began with the conquest of Napoleon in Egypt, when his army returned with many ancient artifacts plundered from their foes. But it continued under a system of partage, where countries would agree to allow French scientists to dig so long as they could split what was found.
Find Mesopotamia at the Louvre
The Louvre has the greatest collection of Mesopotamian artifacts in all of Europe.
And now, you can take a private tour with an expert, traveling back to this fascinating lost world.
How to organize this tour in the Louvre?
each visit is carefully designed
The tour can focus on different Mesopotamian themes and routes, depending on your interests, such as : Mesopotamia Highlights, Legendaries cities, Birth of Writing & Law, First Kings and Empires, Mythology, Daily life...
Start planning this unique adventure today with Flore Gurrey.