French President Emmanuel Macron has announced major changes at the world-famous Louvre Museum in France. These changes include relocating the iconic painting, the Mona Lisa, to a new exhibition hall. President Macron made this announcement in the Mona Lisa’s display room, where he presented a comprehensive plan to modernize the museum under his project “New Renaissance.” As part of this project, the Mona Lisa will be moved to a new exhibition hall by 2031, requiring separate tickets for viewing.
In response to the increasing number of tourists visiting the Louvre Museum, President Macron also revealed plans for an international competition to build a new internal pathway. This pathway, located under the museum’s famous glass pyramid, will help alleviate the pressure from over 90 million annual visitors. Additionally, starting January 2024, non-European Union residents, including British tourists, will have to pay a higher entrance fee to visit the museum.
The museum’s director, Lawrence Des Cars, had recently warned the government in a letter about the challenges posed by the growing number of visitors and structural issues. He highlighted the strain on the pyramid, the museum’s sole internal entrance since 1989, which is unable to withstand the pressure from over 90 million visitors annually. Des Cars also raised concerns about the Mona Lisa’s display, with approximately 30,000 tourists visiting the painting daily. Currently, tourists must pass through a narrow room to see the Mona Lisa, with an average viewing time of just 50 seconds, limiting their ability to appreciate the artist’s work.
President Macron’s project will also redesign the eastern part of the museum, offering tourists direct access to an underground exhibition hall through a new internal pathway connected to the area beneath the pyramid. He stated that these changes will further integrate the museum with the city and “bring Parisians back to it.” Moving the Mona Lisa from its current location not only allows for a better display but also provides an opportunity for visitors to see other overlooked masterpieces.
Furthermore, in the coming years, the museum plans to modernize its fundamental structures by constructing new washrooms, restaurants, and relaxation areas. The entire project is estimated to cost several hundred million euros, which will be covered through ticket sales, donations, and a sponsorship deal with Louvre Abu Dhabi.
President Macron, who has been constrained following the loss of the majority in the French Parliament six months ago, is seeking new projects to preserve his legacy. He was praised for his leadership in the restoration of Notre-Dame Cathedral, and now aims to see a similar large-scale project at the Louvre Museum come to fruition.
