Olympism, a modern invention, an ancient heritage

For the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, the Musée du Louvre is presenting an exhibition on the creation of the first modern Olympic Games at the end of the 19th century. The exhibition explores the political context of the time and the desire of the organisers to reinvent the competitions of ancient Greece.

It highlights personalities such as Pierre de Coubertin and Émile Gilliéron, a Swiss draughtsman trained at the Beaux-Arts in Paris. Gilliéron, who lived in Greece, was the official artist for the Olympic Games in Athens in 1896 and the Mesolympiade in 1906. Inspired by the archaeological discoveries of his time, he created the winners’ trophies and illustrated stamps and posters for the young Greek state.

The Louvre is also exhibiting the first Olympic cup, the Bréal Cup, thanks to a loan from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF). Designed by Michel Bréal and crafted by a French goldsmith, this cup was awarded to the winner of the first marathon race of the modern Games.

The exhibition shows how, in the name of sport, collaboration between philology, history, art history and archaeology led to the creation of this world event.

Museum: Musée du Louvre – Galerie Richelieu

Address: 75001 Paris

Duration of the exhibition: until 16 September 2024

Timetable: from 9.00 am to 6.00 pm

Price: €22 per person

Transport: metro lines 1 and 7: Palais Royal / Musée du Louvre station

metro line 14: Pyramide station