Saving Mona Lisa: The Battle to Protect the Louvre and Its Treasures During World War II

by Gerri Chanel

In late August 1939, as war loomed over Europe, curators at the Louvre nestled the world's most famous painting into special red-velvet-lined case and spirited her away to the Loire Valley. Thus began the biggest evacuation of art and antiques in history. A small army of workers swiftly emptied the Louvre's cavernous galleries of all but the most cumbersome and fragile pieces and tucked away the displaced treasures in the châteaux of the Loire countryside. As the Germans neared Paris in 1940, the French raced to move the masterpieces still further south, then again and again during the war, crisscrossing the southwest of France.

Throughout the German occupation, the Louvre's staff fought to keep the priceless treasures out of the hands of Hitler and his henchmen and to keep the Louvre palace safe, many of them risking their jobs and their lives to protect the country's artistic heritage. Saving Mona Lisa is the sweeping, suspenseful narrative of their battle.

Superbly researched and accompanied by riveting photographs of the period, it is a compelling story of art and beauty, intrigue and ingenuity, and remarkable moral courage in the face of one of the most fearful enemies in history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Art, World War II, France, Historical, War

344 pages, Paperback

First published May 9, 2014

About the author

Gerri Chanel is a prize-winning freelance journalist and college professor. She lived in France for five years, where she began the research for Saving Mona Lisa: The Battle to Protect the Louvre and its Treasures During World War II. Previously, Chanel was a consultant for international companies. She now divides her time between Paris and New York.

Reviews

[Aileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honestly, let’s name every building in France after the brave staff and curators of the Louvre during WWII. And was I crying by the end? You betcha.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a story we already know about and we know the ending is good. This book is so well written and compelling I was drawn in immediately and anxiously turned each page with great anticipation to see what was going to happen next. I was especially struck by the national patriotism of the French people in their desire to save their treasures from the Nazis. The staff and their families put themselves, in some cases, in grave danger to protect not just the Mona Lisa, but thousands and thousands of antiquities, painting, andt object d'art, for future generations to enjoy and appreciate including myself. I was fortunate enough to visit Paris and the Louvre and the L'Orangerie museums while there and stood in front on some the treasures mentioned in this book. Thank you from the bottom on my heart for your bravery and dedication to your love of art!

[Fatma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mona Lisa tablosu etrafinda Fransa nin sahip oldugu diger sanat eserlerinin nasil korundugunu anlatiyor. Kultur ve Sanat in bir ulusun vazgecilmez degerler oldugunu ve onlaea nasil sahip cikilmasi gerektigine dair mukemmel bir belgesel. Her ulkeye bir Jacques Jaujard lazim.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent account of how the dedicated art curators of France managed to sneak the best art in the Louvre Museum in Paris away just before France declared war on Germany and hide it for the duration of the German occupation. These dedicated individuals risked their freedom and their lives to save France's treasures. This is nonfiction but reads like an adventure.

[Lydia Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for my archival course, a really intriguing read and very informative!

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting & fascinating book on the history of protecting France’s art during World War II

[E. Duvert · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! As a former art history professor who has lived in France (on research summers and a full year as a Fulbright professor)and read deeply of the occupation years, I have long wanted to know how the French protected their art during World War II. Of course, I found snippets here and there, but never as comprehensive a narrative as the one Gerri Chanel has crafted. I have wanted to know the how, the when, and the where. The author has answered my questions so well. It's intriguing to read of the works' travel to chateaux and depots around the French countryside, of the curators' living conditions at these chateaux, and especially the risks and courage of those who protected the art from both the Nazi occupiers and the French collaborationists who at times seemed all too willing to give the Germans the national treasure.

Most of us who know something of this topic are familiar with the crucial work of Rose Valland at the Jeu de Paume, keeping lists and destinations of the works from Jewish collections brought there and shipped off to Germany. In addition to her story, I especially appreciated the author's highlighting the efforts of Jacques Jaujard, the Louvre's director, who tirelessly fought to outwit those who would steal the art treasures of France.

This book is well written, perfectly paced, informative, precise. Chanel places the story of the Louvre's art within the larger context of the occupation years. So well done!

[Sanjuro · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stunningly told, expertly crafted, and thoroughly researched book about one of the most fascinating aspects of WWII. Hitler, it is well known, was a failed art student, who planned to steal much of France's art for his own museums. Chanel tracks the people who moved the art around France in an effort to rescue it from the Nazis. Full of lucid storytelling and excellent photographs, this is a really excellent piece of popular history that I'm sure anyone would benefit from reading. It really doubles as art history and military history, and would interest those who are fascinated by either.

[Kt · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️

The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world and has long called the Louvre it’s home. However, if it wasn’t for some forward thinking Louvre staff, it and thousands of irreplaceable piece of art may not have survived each time Paris has been under siege due to the war.

With a particular focus on World War II, Saving Mona Lisa details how much of the contents of the Louvre was moved around France to not only keep them out of Paris, but also out of the hands of the Nazis; who very much wanted to loot the Louvre for Germany’s gain.

Saving Mona Lisa by Gerri Chanel was a book that was recommend to me by a colleague. I must admit I wasn’t sure about it because I’m not really into art and had no desire to go to the Louvre when in Paris; but as someone with an interest in 20th Century history, I thought I’d give it a go. I’m glad I did because it was a fascinating read.

Whilst the names of what are obviously many famous artworks meant nothing to me, I enjoyed this book as a different perspective on what happens when a country is at War. When one usually thinks about War, preserving art work, no matter how old and renowned it is; is not what immediately comes to mind. Thankfully, the staff at the Louvre had the forethought to reflect on WWI and had developed a plan should anything similar happen again. What they didn’t expect was just how quickly Paris would fall in WWII and that it would be impossible to keep some of the world’s most famous art works in the one place for six years; especially given that they couldn’t be kept just anywhere and transporting them was a nightmare.

I applaud Chanel for the way she approached telling the story of saving the art. This book could have been about as exciting as watching paint dry; but Chanel made it both informative and interesting through her engaging writing style, use of primary sources and passion for the subject. I liked that she didn’t just jump straight into the main focus of WWII but gave us a lead up of the wars prior.

An must read for lovers of art and history; it’s a non-fiction read on a popular topics taking a unique and narrow focus, that is a ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ recommended read.

To play along with my book bingo and to see what else I’m reading, go to #ktbookbingo and @kt_elder on Instagram.

[Brittany · Rating 4 out of 5]

The preservation of culture, art and heritage is so crucial to cultural identity - particularly during war times. The dedication and bravery of the French to safely transport, store, catalogue, conserve and protect their most treasured possessions during WWII is nothing short of phenomenal and Jaujard should be a household name.
Constantly outmanoeuvring the Germans requests to view, move and even “exchange” items took an extraordinary amount of character, wit and perseverance.
Overall an impeccably researched book (however I could have done without the Nancy Drew-esque cliffhangers at the end of each chapter)

[Stephanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

It might take a few chapters to get used to the writing style but push through and be rewarded with a wild ride. This books is a crash course in the huge effort it takes to protect cultural valuables. One cliffhanger after another makes it a real page turner. The photos greatly enhance the work and the personable anecdotes add even more of a human element to tug at the heartstrings. Despite losses this is largely a huge success story - if only all others who face similar problems today could be so fortunate. Proof that there is more to winning than just battle victories.

[Lisa Konet · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a nonfiction emotional and true account to the brave curators at the Louvre and many other projecting all the well known art, antiquities, object de art before France declared the start of WWII against Germany. This book had me involved from page 1 to the very end; just wow!

[Benjamin Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

An incredible, true account of how the masterpieces of the Louvre were protected (and saved) during WWII. Complete with photographs, this is a captivating story of bravery, diplomacy and chutzpah.

[Stephanie Salyer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting book about history, art, perseverance, and freedom!

[Лола Акбулдина · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think it's one of the best I've read this year. I liked everything, from how it is written to how interesting even small details are told. Can highly recommend.

[Charlotte Paule · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amazing book telling the story of how French museum officials saved countless works of art from being deported in Germany during WWII, including the Mona Lisa. The writing is clear, to the point, and makes for a thrilling read. However, this should be read alongside other works about life in France/Europe during the war, to get a wider picture of average people’s living conditions at that time.

[Calla Simone · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Amazon Review:

When viewing the Mona Lisa at the Louvre, the museum goer sees the painting in its present appearance (intact and in good condition) - not realizing the extraordinary effort to protect and preserve the Mona Lisa during WWII.
Gerri Chanel takes the reader of ‘Saving Mona Lisa’ on a fascinating journey beginning in the 16thc with the painting’s first trip to France in Leonardo da Vinci’s leather bag.
In 1907, the safety for the painting became a top priority when the Mona Lisa was covered by glass and attached to the wall of the museum; in case of fire, it could be easily pulled off the wall.
In 1911 the painting was stolen and found in Florence. There were viewings in Firenze, Rome, and Milan before its return to France.
The subtitle of Chanel’s book – ‘The Battle to Protect the Louvre and its Treasures from the Nazis’ shows the author’s emphasis on its WWII journey.
The courageous men and women from the Louvre and the government who chose to protect these national treasures over all else are truly heroic. (Some even losing their lives in the name of art).
One of the many fascinating stories: as immediate war was avoided because of the Munich Agreement, during this ‘Great Evacuation’ – Mona Lisa’s crate was marked MN, with department initials, and crate number. Traveling in a convoy in a specially equipped truck for the painting (secured to an ambulance stretcher), the famous painting arrived at Chambord Chateau and forest. King Francois I kept the Mona Lisa in his bathroom for safekeeping.
After many perilous trips to varied hiding places throughout France, and the end of WWII, the Mona Lisa returned home in June 1945 and exhibited on July 10, 1945.
I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Saving Mona Lisa’ and would recommend it to history buffs as well as art appreciators.

[Mica · Rating 4 out of 5]

Com o fechamento do Louvre aos 25 de agosto de 1939, portanto nove dias antes da França declarar guerra à Alemanha, iniciou-se uma corrida para desmontar, embalar, encaixotar e transportar algumas das peças de arte mais valiosas do mundo, e sua distribuição a locais supostamente seguros.
Salvando a Mona Lista é o resultado de anos de pesquisa da jornalista americana Gerri Chanel acerca de todo o esforço que curadores, estrategistas, funcionários e voluntários franceses empreenderam para remover toda a arte do Louvre e de outros museus franceses para lugares neutros e de difícil acesso antes e durante a Segunda Guerra Mundial. O livro inicia com o relato de como foi a construção de uma fortaleza em 1190 pelo rei Filipe Augusto, que mais tarde seria transformado no Louvre, e ainda faz uma breve descrição histórica sobre reis e imperadores franceses e como o Louvre foi se desenvolvendo e recebendo as primeiras obras de arte.
Porém, o foco do livro é o emocionante relato de como todos essas pessoas envolvidas com o trabalho nos museus franceses se uniram para proteger as obras de arte dos soldados alemães, e especialmente do alto escalão nazista. Pessoas com um amor tão grande pela arte e imensuável conhecimento que arriscaram suas vidas para proteger obras de valores inestimáveis, como por exemplo o gigante Jacques Jaujard, subdiretor dos Museus Nacionais, merecidamente exaltado no livro. Grande herói do Louvre e das Artes, Jaujard recebeu merecidamente a medalha de Honra ao Mérito da Resistência francesa por salvar um boa parte do Patrimônio da Humanidade.
O livro ainda nos presenteia com ilustrações, tanto do processo de evacuação quanto dos locais para os quais as obras foram levadas. Leitura imperdível.

[Alger Smythe-Hopkins · Rating 3 out of 5]

So on the bubble with this book. The topic is a fascinating slice of hidden history, a valuable examination of life on the ground in occupied France, and how exactly the careful dance between protecting the art, the institution, and the independence of the Louvre against the grasping hands, pettifogging, and thoughtless violence of the Nazi/Vici regime. Now it has occurred to me to wonder from time to time how the lists of Nazi-looted art never listed the Mona Lisa or the other Louvre headliners. This book answers this question with considerable detail.
However, the book is disorganized, the writing is flat, the major players are under described. Because the book is roughly organized by location, subject, and time depending upon what story Chanel wants to tell at that point. When the narrative is location-oriented we get a detailed place-based description, the halls of the Louvre, the history of the various chateaux, the roads, the hills.... these places are described with so much more care than the people doing the action. When the narrative is subject-oriented these change of topic moments are jarring and often involve travelling back in time. When the narrative is chronological, the author has a terrible habit of dropping teasers darkly hinting at future peril, it's annoying.

My conclusion is that this is a book you get when you get rid of the editors. The writing is utterly undisciplined and would have benefited greatly from a neutral reader with binding opinions.

[Leanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow! What a remarkably mind-boggling true account of the effort that went into saving the art treasures of the Louvre Museum during WWII (and at numerous other perilous times throughout French history). Under the astute stewardship of National French Museum Director Jacques Jaujard, the thousands of pieces we savour today were painstakingly removed or hidden, repeatedly, to ensure they weren’t destroyed by bombs, fire, flood, smoke or at the hands of barbaric German soldiers. But most dangerous of all to the collection was the obsessive desire of the likes of Hitler and Göring to pillage the most valuable items for their own personal use. The dedication, resoluteness, cunning, skill and sheer bravery displayed by Jaujard and his team was nothing short of extraordinary. Following the fraught journeys of many of these priceless pieces during their years of exile makes an engrossing read. No wonder many of the museum curators and staff were awarded with the highest medals of honour at the end of the war. About to embark on my first visit to the Louvre, the story of the survival of so many works of art through centuries of such upheaval will make my appreciation of them even greater.

[Pam · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite fabulous. The author takes us on a journey into the past of World War II as the French act to save the distinguished art collections from the Louvre and other art collections throughout Paris. Their art collections had already been given to the Russians and Germans during World War I and the Napoleonic Wars. Eventually most had been returned and preventive measures had been put into place for future such possibilities.
The book takes us from the halls of the Louvre, along with hundreds of boxes, crates, pallets, trucks, and man power to take down the pictures, wrap them securely, inventory them and load them onto trucks and take them out to remote chateaus to be stored and cared for.
The book is great. It is easy to read and to follow the trails left that show what happened to the famous paintings, sculptures, and jewelry. It shows the curators, volunteers to be the unsung heroes who should be given the praise they deserve.

[Kiwiflora · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Louvre is one of those places in our Western civilisation that we hold in the highest awe and regard. It is much much more than just a building - even though it is old and beautiful in its own right. It has that intangible quality that lifts it above being a repository of stuff, an icon of Western collective history since prehistoric times, holding the art and artefacts of the world as we have come to know it. It is a building with its own amazing history, starting as a palace in the 13th century. It became a national museum in 1793, during the French Revolution, as a repository for art confiscated from French aristocrats and the church. Most famously it houses the Da Vinci painting Mona Lisa. With such a long history, plus being a living icon of Paris and France, it has seen much violence, uprisings, leadership changes and invasions. So with the impending arrival of the Germans in 1940, a huge operation was put in place to protect the thousands of treasures in this building, not just from bombing, fire, looting and disorder, but from the greedy hands of the Nazis, especially Hitler and his high ranking officials. This book is that story.

The guardians of the art were extraordinary men and women. Their passion and drive to protect the art, the insane logistical nightmare of moving it - paintings of all sizes, statuary and sculpture - huge things some of these paintings and sculpture were. Ancient Egyptian antiquities, Greek, Estrucan and Roman art, Islam art, prints, drawings, decorative arts. All of which required careful packing, transport by road in rickety trucks with rationed fuel over damaged roads to safe, dry and remote lodgings for however long the conflict would last. And all under the eyes of the Germans, most of whom had no idea what was passing them by on the roads or in the small towns. The top Nazi leadership knew full well what was going on, and the trickery used by the French, the delay tactics, the stretching of the truth, the hiding places, the clever and quick thinking of staff on site as the Germans came poking around - what wonderful, devoted and brave individuals these people were, who saw themselves as the custodians of the art in their care. France was lucky in one respect in that the Nazi who had the Louvre on his watch was also a very cultured man, very respectful of the Louvre, its contents and the staff, going a fair way himself to slowing down the inevitability of art leaving France.

I really enjoyed the Them and Us style of the book, the strong spirit of patriotism and determination that holds all these people together. Naturally the Resistance features, people aren't quite what they seem, lives are lost, people get sent to concentration camps, But the art survives, the history and culture of France is untarnished, and most importantly the spirit of the people remains intact, strong and united.

[Linda Humberstone · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a really good account of the preparations, innovations and bravery that was exercised by a small number of people; the staff of the Louvre, during the last war to save the French and some other countries art work and artefacts. Their foresight and delaying tactics in trying to hamper Goring and other disreputable individuals from stealing valued world masterpieces was a non-stop commitment for them, together with the worry of how to best preserve and transport them to safe havens which also had to be found. It is uplifting to realise that people will go to extreme lengths to try and save objects that are not merely engaging to look at but because they are truly a record of humanity's finer qualities and accomplishments.

[Kerry · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the well-researched story of artworks from the Louvre being saved by museum workers during WWII. It is heartening to know how seriously this task was taken by those involved--and the level of stress that those responsible for the depots must have been under is hard to fathom given the factors they had to take into account, including storage conditions, guard rotations, bombs, negotiating with Nazis, lack of help from the Vichy government, and day-to-day survival in addition to the constant not knowing of what the next day would bring. Of course, transporting the works was dangerous for those doing the transporting as well as the artworks themselves. Furthermore, the descriptions of the chateaux that served as the depots are interesting.

[Barry Davidoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

An absorbing book about the French efforts to save their national art treasures during WW II. The curators at the Louvre were clever in finding various chateaus in which to protect the art from potential danger in Paris.
The author sparks the question, "Are there artistic treasures which rise above national tensions that is the duty of humanity to protect."
The book compliments the "The Madonnas of Leningrad" about Russian efforts, Monuments Men about American efforts and the Rape of Europa about efforts to restore art taken during the war.
It is written with enthusiasm and style to make it a joy to read.

[Suzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chanel has a very engaging style and the narrative is compelling. I wish there were a list of photos so I could snarl at the Nazis or refer to the celebrated art works -- I kept having to page through. This is a book selection for Literati at The Ringling Museum in Sarasota, Florida. I read a lot of murder mysteries and this is as good or better than most. Suspense, deception, bravery, intelligence outwitting criminal minds. If you love art, museums, historic locations, French history, travel -- if you are a cultured human -- read this book. And then donate to preservation causes. It is also a clue to what we are fighting on the political scene. Greed and hatred.

[Larry Warren · Rating 5 out of 5]

A few years ago, I went back to school to finish my college degree. Needing a elective, Art History 101, fit into my work, life and school schedule. Of all the classes I took, I loved that class above everything else. A few years ago, I saw the movie "Monuments Men" and read that book. I learned a renewed faith in what was done to protect Europe's treasures. This book gives another side of what was done to protect the treasures of France. Everyone know Charles De Gaulle, but every few know Jacques Jaujard. Thank you, Jacques Jaujard for protecting the treasures of the Louvre Museum

[Julian Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Riveting from the opening lines, this is a gripping story of the planning, drama, risks and excitement that a small group of dedicated people faced to help saved many of the world's most famous artworks for future posterity.

At times this reads like a wartime thriller - with so many colorful characters and so much intrigue - and the author has created a tour de force of a story which lifts the lid on some extraordinary people, acts of bravery and sheer bloody mindedness.

History magically brought to life.

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating recounting of the efforts taken to protect some of the world’s most treasured artwork. I wish the map in the beginning of the book had identified more of the locations discussed - or more clearly indicated them with how they were referenced in the book. I found a different map so I could try to follow the travels of the various pieces of artwork. Jaques Jaujard truly saved the art with the assistance of many, many others. Those years were his moment for which he was born. Truly amazing.

[Jerry Wall]

Dashing exploits of art preservation in WWII on saving art in Louvre in France. As the war was building in plans were developed to preserve museum contents, notably The portrait of Mona Lisa by da Vinci, and sculptures of Diana and Winged Victory of Samothrace. Alone with everything else
in the extensive collection of art from history. For paintings fire must be taken into account along with humidity, light, temperature, and on and on. Much thought and interaction with invading Germans and locals