PARIS – In a bold move to modernize the world’s most visited museum, President Emmanuel Macron announced that the iconic Mona Lisa will be relocated to a new exhibition space as part of a vast renovation project at the Louvre.
The new plan, which aims to address overcrowding and outdated infrastructure, is set to be completed by 2031. Standing before the famous Leonardo da Vinci masterpiece, Macron shared the vision for the Louvre’s future with an audience of dignitaries.
The relocation of the Mona Lisa, one of the world’s most visited artworks, is just one element of the broader New Renaissance project designed to overhaul the museum’s facilities and enhance the visitor experience.
Currently, the Mona Lisa is housed in the Salle des Etats, a room that has become a bottleneck for the 30,000 daily visitors who flock to the museum.
Around three-quarters of these visitors make their way to see the Mona Lisa, resulting in a constant throng of people, often spending less than a minute in front of the painting.
Louvre director Laurence des Cars has expressed concerns over the inadequacy of the current setup, stating that the museum’s infrastructure is struggling to keep up with record-high visitor numbers, which now surpass nine million annually.
She also emphasized that the overcrowding has made it increasingly difficult for visitors to truly appreciate the artwork.
Macron’s vision for the Louvre includes not only the reorganization of its galleries but also the creation of a second entrance to alleviate congestion, especially beneath the museum’s iconic glass Pyramid.
The project will feature redesigned spaces and a new underground exhibition area beneath the Cour Carré, which will connect with the existing gallery spaces beneath the pyramid.
This redesign aims to offer a more efficient flow for visitors and provide a better viewing experience of the Mona Lisa and other masterpieces often overshadowed by the crowds.
Furthermore, the renovation will address long-standing issues such as outdated facilities. The museum’s infrastructure will be modernized with improvements to toilets, restaurants, and visitor amenities.
The French government estimates the total cost of the renovation will run into several hundred million euros.
Macron confirmed, however, that the project will not be funded by taxpayers but through a combination of ticket sales, donations, and sponsorships, including the Louvre Abu Dhabi’s ongoing partnership.
The Louvre’s eastern facade will undergo a major transformation, with plans to integrate the museum more seamlessly into the city.
The new design will create a “green” zone, providing an open, tree-filled space that will enhance the museum’s accessibility and connection to the Parisian landscape.
Macron emphasized that the renovation will not only address the Louvre’s growing needs but also “give it back to the Parisians,” symbolizing a deepening relationship between the museum and the city’s residents.
The announcement of the Louvre’s renovation comes at a time when Macron is seeking to solidify his legacy. The success of the Notre-Dame cathedral restoration after the devastating 2019 fire has inspired the president to tackle similar monumental projects.
The Louvre’s transformation, set to begin in the coming years, will mark one of the largest changes to the museum since President François Mitterrand’s Grand Louvre project four decades ago.
With a focus on both artistic preservation and visitor experience, Macron’s New Renaissance project promises to transform the Louvre into a more modern and accessible institution while safeguarding its cultural heritage for future generations.