The Sun King's Hidden Treasure: An Exhibition of Never-Before-Seen Works at the Grand Palais - photos

From February 1 to 8, 2026, the Grand Palais will host its first-ever exhibition of the monumental tapestries commissioned by Louis XIV from the National Manufactures. Visitors will be transported into the opulence of the 17th century, as around thirty masterpieces—woven specifically for the Louvre's Grand Gallery—are unveiled for the first time.

There are countless works of art that the public has never had the chance to see—until now. From February 1 to 8, 2026, the Grand Palais will showcase, for the first time, a major commissioned piece commissioned by Louis XIV from the National Manufactures, comprising artworks never before revealed. At the dawn of the Sun King’s reign, Versailles was not yet the grand symbol it would become. Instead, 92 monumental carpets were commissioned for the Louvre to adorn the floor of the 442-meter-long Great Gallery.

Crafted between 1668 and 1688, these textiles are a technical marvel never seen before. The stunning patterns were designed by Charles Le Brun, the king's painter, brought to life by the Savonnerie and Gobelins manufactories. Covering nine meters in width and nearly 4,000 square meters of woven surface, they are a true testament to exquisite craftsmanship.

However, the death of Colbert marks a turning point, prompting the king to eventually choose Versailles as his main residence. The former grand dining hall was left to fall into neglect, enduring the ravages of time through revolutions, sales, destruction, and division.

However, during the First Empire and the Restoration, more than thirty pieces were acquired, gradually building up the collection. Last year, in 2024, the Mobilier National also recovered a significant fragment of the 50th tapis! Today, 41 of the original 92 carpets are preserved within the collections of the National Manufactures, of which 33 are completely intact, along with 4 out of the 13 designed for the Apollo Gallery.

An exceptional decorative ensemble, one of the largest ever created for a royal palace, it will be on display for a few days within the magnificent setting of the Nef of the Grand Palais. This historic exhibition is particularly fleeting—only a week—so don't wait to see it!

Unexpected in our usual experience, the exhibition layout presents this collection of rugs as if they were on display at the Louvre — and only the Grand Palais had enough space to host them!

About thirty rugs are spread across the floor, inviting visitors to examine them up close, complemented by a collection of tapestries titled The History of the King, which are just as remarkable. Of course, appreciating the craftsmanship of these woven artworks or simply being curious is essential to visit this exhibition, as they are the only pieces on display.

But it also represents a vital part of our heritage and French history. Discovering them there is truly remarkable, so take advantage of the affordable entry to experience this unique moment!

While visitors are allowed to step onto the center carpet, which provides a closer look at the decorative elements, it’s obviously not permitted to set foot on the surrounding areas. This restriction inevitably makes the experience less enjoyable for children and their parents, who must keep a careful eye on them to prevent any accidents!

It's easy to linger over each carpet, marveling at their vibrant colors—almost entirely preserved across the centuries, in an astonishing state of preservation. Readers also can't help but admire the intricate designs and patterns woven into each piece.

Some rugs carry names, such as Love or Abundance, depicting landscapes or mythological motifs—hidden details waiting to be discovered.

Many of these museums also boast a , such as one that narrowly escaped destruction during bombings in Berlin, another that was once housed in a family’s living room or even in the office of the French President, and several that now have a presence in museums around the globe.

Note that on Friday, February 6th, you can enjoy a special late-night opening to explore the exhibition until midnight!