Curiosity at the Louvre

Two pavilions face each other: the Rohan pavilion and the Lesdiguières pavilion. Each is topped with a lantern, surmounted by a weather vane. Golden “N”s, topped with the imperial crown, decorate each of the two lanterns. Placed here at the end of the Second Empire, they pay homage to Emperor Napoleon III, who was behind the construction of this part of the Louvre. The two lanterns are similar in appearance, but…
Take a good look at the “N”s of the Rohan pavilion, then carefully observe those of the Lesdiguières pavilion. Have you noticed ? The “N” of the Lesdiguières pavilion is upside down.
This mistake went completely unnoticed. It was only discovered during restoration work at the Louvre in 1985. That is more than a century later! Surprising… Did a Republican worker show his disapproval of the power in place by revealing to us his “hatred” (N) of the emperor?

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