Mona Lisa to Move to a New Room as Louvre to Undergo Major Renovation
The Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, is set to undergo a major renovation, including a new entrance, updated facilities, and a dedicated space for the Mona Lisa. French President Emmanuel Macron announced the project, dubbed "Louvre New Renaissance," while standing in front of the famous painting. The overhaul aims to address overcrowding and infrastructure issues that have plagued the museum in recent years.
What changes will happen?
One of the biggest changes will be the relocation of the Mona Lisa to an underground exhibition space. Currently housed in the Salle des États, where visitors only get about 50 seconds to view it, the painting will be moved to a separate room, accessible through a special ticket. Macron said this would allow for a better presentation of the artwork and that it will make it easier for visitors to appreciate other masterpieces in the museum.
The renovation also includes the construction of new underground exhibition rooms and a second entrance near the River Seine, expected to open by 2031. The current entrance, through the glass pyramid, was designed in the 1980s to accommodate four million visitors annually. However, the Louvre now welcomes over 8.7 million visitors per year, making the space inadequate.
Louvre Director Laurence des Cars previously warned that the museum’s infrastructure was deteriorating. In a letter to the government, she cited water leaks, temperature fluctuations, and poor insulation, which threaten the preservation of artworks. She also pointed out that the pyramid amplifies noise and lacks proper climate control, making it uncomfortable for both visitors and staff.
The project is estimated to cost between 700 and 800 million euros, though Macron assured that taxpayers would cover only a "very small part" of the expense. Funding will primarily come from ticket sales, sponsorships, and licensing deals, including revenue from the Louvre Abu Dhabi. Ticket prices will also increase for visitors from outside the European Union, including UK tourists, starting next January.
Macron emphasized that the changes will help modernize the Louvre and enhance the experience for both visitors and museum staff. Alongside the renovations, there are plans to improve restrooms, restaurants, and other visitor amenities, which have been criticized as outdated.
This will be the Louvre’s biggest transformation since the 1989 addition of the glass pyramid under President François Mitterrand’s Grand Louvre project. Macron stated that the new entrance and other upgrades would better integrate the museum into the city and "give it back to the Parisians."
A design competition will be held in the coming months to determine the look of the new entrance. Meanwhile, renovations will continue over the next decade, gradually modernizing the museum while keeping it open to the public.
While some worry about the costs and potential disruptions, many see this as a necessary step for the museum’s future. "The Louvre is a symbol of France," Macron said, "and it must meet the expectations of the 21st century."
