Since 2012, visitors to the Louvre have been able to rent a Nintendo 3DS for 6 euros to enjoy a new kind of interactive audio guide. Available in nine languages, this portable console developed by Nintendo not only told the story of the works and the palace: it also offered an interactive map of the museum, more than 700 audio commentaries, high-definition photos, and even 3D models of iconic works.
Don't forget the guide
With its two screens, one of which is stereoscopic 3D, the 3DS allows for an immersive and intuitive visual experience. It also indicated the visitor's position in the museum at all times, a significant advantage in a building of nearly 73,000 m².
"We wanted to combine heritage and the innovative world of interactive entertainment," explained Hervé Barbaret, the museum's deputy director at the time. The result? An experience that appealed to art lovers, families, and technology fans alike.
This unlikely partnership was initiated by Nintendo and the Louvre with a simple goal: to make the visit more accessible, fun, and enriching. Satoru Iwata, then president of Nintendo, welcomed this collaboration, saying he wanted to offer "enriched opportunities to discover the works."
The console offered two guided tours for beginners: one focused on the museum's masterpieces (Mona Lisa, Venus de Milo, Winged Victory of Samothrace), the other devoted to ancient Egypt, enhanced with games and quizzes for children. Tours adapted for the visually impaired or deaf were also available, as were specific commentaries on certain temporary exhibitions.
In 2013, Nintendo even released a consumer version of the software on the eShop, allowing visitors to virtually visit the Louvre from home.
But all good things must come to an end. According to the Louvre's official website, Nintendo 3DS audio guides will be retired in September 2025. No information has been given on the system that will replace them. A return to traditional audio guides? An app on Switch (2?) or smartphone? The mystery remains.
This retirement also indirectly marks the end of an era for the 3DS itself, whose production ceased in 2020. The Louvre was one of the last places to exploit the console's unique capabilities. Those who wish to (re)discover this atypical marriage of art and technology therefore only have a few months left to do so. After that, we'll have to make do with memories... or hope for a successor who's up to the task.
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