The Louvre Museum, renowned for its immense collection of art and cultural treasures, is kicking off ambitious renovation plans under the banner of the "New Renaissance." This move includes relocating Leonardo da Vinci's iconic painting, the "Mona Lisa," to its own dedicated room within the museum, with the aim of eleviting the visitor experience.
According to the Associated Press, French President Emmanuel Macron announced these changes, emphasizing the importance of providing visitors with adequate space to appreciate the masterpieces. The relocation is part of wider renovations intended to address long-standing issues of overcrowding and the age of the museum's facilities.
Currently, the "Mona Lisa" draws around 30,000 visitors daily, making the room it occupies often chaotic, with people clamoring for photos of the enigmatic portrait. The Louvre, which attracts over nine million visitors each year, has seen visitor numbers rise significantly since its last major renovation completed decades ago.
Macron stated during his announcement, "Conditions of display, explanation and presentation will be up to what the 'Mona Lisa' deserves," highlighting the desire to create a more intimate viewing experience separate from the tumult of broader museum traffic. According to NBC News, he outlined plans for the new room to be accessible through special tickets, which align with broader objectives to improve visitor flow throughout the museum.
Laurence des Cars, the Louvre's director, acknowledged the challenges posed by the painting's popularity. Writing to Macron, she noted, "Da Vinci’s masterpiece is a work of art... as a result of this popularity, the public flocks to the Salle de Etats without being...given the means to understand the work and the artist." This has raised concerns about the museum fulfilling its public service mission.
Renovations will also see the eastern side of the museum redesigned to include new exhibition spaces, with plans for additional amenities to serve the influx of visitors. Macron indicated the cost for the renovation could reach up to 800 million euros (around $834 million), which will involve ticket price adjustments for non-European Union visitors starting from 2026.
Macron announced, "The redesigned Louvre, restored and expanded, will become the epicenter of art history for our country and beyond." The Louvre’s last significant renovation dates back to the 1980s, when it transitioned to accommodate about four million visitors annually. The Louvre now sees more than double this number, intensifying the strain on its services.
Even with enhancements, the museum has grappled with issues such as insufficient restroom facilities, inadequate food options, and the noise and temperature challenges faced by visitors and staff alike. The recently revealed memo from des Cars highlighted concerns over the museum's aging structure, including water leaks and temperature variations which threaten the preservation of invaluable artworks.
The entire project will take up to ten years and is intended to usher the Louvre Museum, originally built as a fortress during the late 12th century and later transformed to house royal treasures, firmly back to the forefront of the global art scene, catering not just to tourists but to the local Parisian community too.
Part of the renovations includes establishing new entrance points to help disperse visitor traffic and improve access to the museum's extensive collection of around 500,000 artworks, of which only about 30,000 are on display. Macron remarked on the necessity of directing visitor flow more effectively, as many guests have only ever sought out the most famous pieces like the "Mona Lisa" or the "Venus de Milo."
According to Macron, the revamped museum will play not only a cultural role but also serve as a significant soft power instrument for France. His vision is to make the Louvre not just the world's most-visited museum but also the pinnacle of cultural education and appreciation.
The Louvre, which has seen unprecedented growth in global tourism, sits as more than just a repository of art; it embodies the cultural identity and global reputation of France itself. The forthcoming decade promises to redefine the visitor experience at this cultural behemoth, ensuring visitors, both local and international, experience the works of art on offer fully, with the respect they deserve.