In brief
President Emmanuel Macron's "New Renaissance" project aims to address the overcrowding challenges at the Louvre Museum by moving the Mona Lisa to a new exhibition space and redesigning the museum's entrance by 2031, funded through ticket sales and donations.
The Louvre Museum in Paris is poised for a transformative renovation, as President Emmanuel Macron revealed plans to relocate the iconic Mona Lisa painting to a new exhibition space. This announcement was made in front of a distinguished audience gathered at the museum to discuss the broader "New Renaissance" project, which aims to modernize and reimagine the world’s most visited museum by 2031. In a bid to alleviate congestion, the French government will implement a separate admission charge for visitors wishing to view the Mona Lisa. Macron’s announcement came after Louvre director Laurence des Cars expressed significant concerns regarding the museum's current state, citing problems with overcrowding and failing infrastructure. Daily, approximately 30,000 visitors enter the Louvre, with around 75% heading directly to see Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece, often enduring lengthy waits and brief viewing times.To address these issues, the project will include an international design competition for a new entrance, which will relieve pressure from the existing glass Pyramid. Along with this, changes to ticket tariffs for non-EU residents, particularly UK tourists, will come into effect next January, raising the cost of entry.The renovations will focus not only on relocating the Mona Lisa but also on redesigning the museum's eastern facade to integrate better with the surrounding city and provide immediate access to additional underground exhibition spaces. The extensive overhaul marks the most significant update since the Grand Louvre project initiated by former President François Mitterrand 40 years ago.President Macron assured that the costs, estimated in the hundreds of millions of euros, will be covered through ticket sales, donations, and a sponsorship agreement with the Louvre Abu Dhabi, ensuring no burden falls on taxpayers. Following his successful leadership during the Notre-Dame Cathedral renovation, Macron is eager to leave a similar legacy at the Louvre, which he emphasized should primarily serve and be enjoyed by the people of Paris.
