Macron Unveils Ambitious Renovation and Expansion Plan for the Louvre

The project includes a new entrance, improved visitor facilities, and dedicated space for the Mona Lisa, with completion targeted for 2031.

French President Emmanuel Macron announced a major renovation and expansion plan for the Louvre, aiming to modernize the museum and address structural and capacity challenges.
A new entrance on the museum's east side will reduce congestion at the iconic pyramid entrance, originally designed for 4 million visitors but now serving over 8 million annually.
The plan includes underground facilities with updated visitor amenities, exhibition spaces, and a dedicated gallery for the Mona Lisa, which will have its own ticketing system.
The estimated cost of the project is 400 million euros for expansion and 500 million euros for restoration and maintenance, with funding sourced from private donors, increased fees for non-European tourists, and minimal state contributions.
Macron emphasized the urgency of the renovations due to aging infrastructure, including leaks and outdated climate control, which threaten the preservation of artworks.