Emmanuel Macron Announces Ambitious Renovation Project for the Louvre Museum
French President Emmanuel Macron Unveils Ambitious Renovation Project for the Louvre Museum
On Tuesday afternoon, French President Emmanuel Macron visited the Louvre Museum in response to concerns raised by its president, Laurence des Cars, regarding the “alarming level of obsolescence” of the iconic institution. During his visit, Macron announced a bold renovation and expansion project aimed at modernizing the museum and enhancing visitor experience.
The ambitious plan seeks to boost the museum’s capacity, allowing it to welcome 12 million visitors annually, up from the current 8 million. Key initiatives include redesigning the museum’s entrance and creating new reception areas. A significant reorganization of the exhibition spaces is also on the agenda, providing an opportunity to reevaluate the presentation of “Mona Lisa,” one of the museum’s highlights. This masterpiece will soon be "independently accessible," featuring a dedicated entry ticket to better manage visitor flow.
President Macron confirmed that the revamped museum is slated for completion by 2031 at the latest.
This initiative follows a letter from Laurence des Cars, the museum’s president, to Culture Minister Rachida Dati, emphasizing the building’s waterproofing issues and inadequate visitor facilities in light of a growing audience. The budget for these preservation efforts is expected to reach several hundred million euros.
To finance the renovation, the museum is also considering a hike in entry fees for non-EU foreign tourists.
