Louvre’s renaissance: France’s plan to revamp the iconic museum

Wednesday 29 January 2025 - 11:05

French President Emmanuel Macron has unveiled an ambitious renovation plan for the Louvre, the world’s most-visited museum, which includes a new grand entrance and improved visitor access. Speaking in front of the Mona Lisa, he emphasized that the redesign would help alleviate congestion at the current Pyramid entrance, initially built to accommodate 4 million visitors annually but now handling up to 9 million.

Among the key changes, the Mona Lisa will be relocated to a separate exhibition space with independent access and its own ticketing system. Macron assured that the renovations would be entirely financed through the museum’s own resources.

His announcement follows concerns raised by the museum’s director regarding deteriorating conditions, including structural issues, temperature fluctuations that threaten artwork preservation, and the shortcomings of the glass Pyramid entrance. The Louvre, once a royal palace, remains a symbol of France’s cultural heritage, housing masterpieces such as the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo.

Despite financial constraints and the upcoming closure of another major cultural institution for renovations, Louvre officials insist that urgent upgrades are necessary to enhance visitor experience and protect the collection. Plans include capping daily attendance, extending hours, and creating an additional entrance to better distribute visitor flow.