‘Mona Lisa’ will get its own room under a major renovation of the Louvre

French President Emmanuel Macron made a significant announcement on Tuesday regarding the iconic “Mona Lisa” painting housed at the Louvre museum in Paris. The masterpiece will be getting its own dedicated room as part of a major renovation and expansion project known as “Louvre New Renaissance.” This ambitious endeavor is expected to be completed by 2031 and will include a new entrance near the Seine River.

The renovation project aims to modernize the world’s most visited museum, which currently faces challenges such as overcrowding and outdated facilities. While the exact budget for the project was not disclosed by Macron, estimates suggest it could reach up to 800 million euros ($834 million). The last major overhaul of the Louvre took place in the 1980s with the unveiling of the iconic glass pyramid.

One of the key objectives of the renovation is to enhance the visitor experience at the Louvre. The new dedicated room for the “Mona Lisa” will make it easier for visitors to access the painting through a special ticket, streamlining the viewing process and alleviating congestion in other parts of the museum. Macron emphasized that the conditions of display, explanation, and presentation will be elevated to match the significance of Leonardo da Vinci’s masterpiece.

The current display of the “Mona Lisa” behind protective glass in a crowded room often leads to long lines and distractions from other artworks. The museum’s capacity was designed to accommodate 4 million annual visitors during the 1980s renovation. However, in recent years, the Louvre has been attracting over 8.7 million visitors annually, with a majority coming from foreign countries such as the United States, China, and European nations.

Funding for the Louvre’s renovation will come from various sources, including ticket sales, patronage, and licensing revenue from the museum’s Abu Dhabi branch. Macron announced plans for a new entrance near the Seine River, along with the creation of underground rooms to expand the museum’s footprint. The total cost of the project is estimated to be between 700 to 800 million euros over the next decade.

In order to support the renovation efforts, ticket prices for foreign visitors outside the European Union will be increased from the current 22 euros to ensure a sustainable financial model for the museum. Macron emphasized the importance of making the Louvre safer and more comfortable for both visitors and staff, drawing parallels to the recent restoration of Notre Dame Cathedral.

The Louvre’s budget is split between government funding and private contributions, including revenue from various sources such as ticket sales, restaurant earnings, and partnerships. The renovation plans address concerns raised by Louvre Director Laurence des Cars about the museum’s deteriorating infrastructure, including issues like water leaks, temperature variations, and inadequate facilities for visitors.

The announcement of the Louvre’s renovation represents a significant step towards preserving and enhancing one of the world’s most renowned cultural institutions. By creating a dedicated space for the “Mona Lisa” and improving overall visitor experience, the Louvre aims to solidify its position as a global hub for art history and cultural heritage.