Getting on the Advent action ahead of the pack this year, the Louvre has for two weeks now been open online (meaning none of the queues or fast food smells...) thanks to an interesting collaboration with European culture channel Arte  . 4 semaines au Louvre explores the museum's collections and more: videos, contributions from leading figures such as Umberto Eco... It's fun, it's easy, it's educative and goes to show even the mammoths of the art world can acknowledge the power of the online world in surprising new ways. On adore!

Everyday one of the lesser-known paintings is used in a "Guess the painting" game and it's on Facebook that partakers can find helpful clues!

Not just an online gallery: the site also boasts some original video content such as this 1990 ballet in the Grand Gallery. Also check the haunting night at the musuem captured by documentary filmmaker Richard Copans:

Le Mot d'Eco is Nobel-winning Umberto's witty daily contribution. Our favourite? "A word a day keeps the apple away".

The brilliance of it is the dose of humour that was injected in what could have been a sweet but dull little project; we just love it when art, especially in its more institutional incarnations, doesn't take itself too seriously! Who can resist "Binge drinking and the Flemish masters"?

Another favourite: "So THAT's the Joconde?"... Our thoughts exactly.

Don't miss out, you've until December 18th to fall in love with the Louvre all over again. It's mission accomplished for us already!

Aurelie Bellavigna

Follow 4 semaines on Twitter: twitter.com/4semaines 

Source: Telerama

Photo credits: All images from 4 semaines au Louvre.