Paris, Jan 28 (EFE). – French President Emmanuel Macron announced a sweeping renovation plan for the Louvre Museum on Tuesday, including the creation of a dedicated room for Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and a new entrance on the museum’s east side to alleviate congestion at the iconic glass pyramid.
The relocation of the world’s most famous painting aims to provide visitors with a «more peaceful» experience, allowing them to appreciate the masterpiece at the level it «deserves,» Macron said during a presentation held in the current Mona Lisa gallery.
The new space will feature separate access and a dedicated ticket system to manage the approximately 30,000 daily visitors who flock to see the painting.
Currently, the Mona Lisa is displayed in the State Room alongside other masterpieces, such as Paolo Veronese’s The Wedding at Cana, which often go unnoticed due to the overwhelming crowds.
The renovation project, described by Macron as a «rebirth» of the Louvre, will also include an expansion on the museum’s eastern flank, with underground facilities similar to those beneath the glass pyramid.
A new entrance will be constructed in the Cour Carrée courtyard, near the Perrault Colonnade.
The overhaul comes in response to concerns raised by Louvre Director Laurence des Cars about the museum’s outdated infrastructure and overcrowding.
Forty years after its last major renovation—the construction of the glass pyramid—the Louvre now welcomes 8.7 million visitors annually, more than double the 4 million it was designed to accommodate.
The project, slated for completion by 2031, will address not only overcrowding but also modern challenges such as safety, climate change, and the digital revolution.
Macron said the renovation would enable the Louvre to host up to 12 million visitors annually while introducing new educational initiatives and maintaining its status as a global art «epicenter.»
Funding the Transformation To finance the upgrades, the Louvre will implement a tiered pricing system, with higher ticket prices for non-EU visitors. While Macron did not specify the new rate, Élysée sources indicated it would rise to around €30, up from the current €22.
This increase follows a 30 percent hike in ticket prices in 2024, coinciding with the Paris Olympic Games. Additional funding will come from private patrons, brand partnerships, and facility rentals, such as those for Fashion Week events.
The French Ministry of Culture will contribute €10 million, though the total cost of the project remains undisclosed. Local media estimates suggest an investment of €700 to €800 million over the next decade.
Macron described the renovation as both a cultural and political priority. «Talking about culture and art is one of the messages France wants to convey to the world. It is a political struggle at a time when immediacy and forceful rhetoric seem to have a hypnotic power.” EFE
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